Мертвые души
Chapter 4
”Consequentlyhespentanuneasynight—thisuneasinessbeingincreasedbythefactthatanumberofsmall,butvigorous,insectssofeasteduponhimthathecoulddonothingbutscratchthespotsandexclaim,“ThedeviltakeyouandNozdrevalike!”Onlywhenmorningwasapproachingdidhefallasleep.Onrising,hemadeithisfirstbusiness(afterdonningdressing-gownandslippers)tocrossthecourtyardtothestable,forthepurposeoforderingSelifantoharnessthebritchka.JustashewasreturningfromhiserrandheencounteredNozdrev,cladinadressing-gown,andholdingapipebetweenhisteeth.
Hostandguestgreetedoneanotherinfriendlyfashion,andNozdrevinquiredhowChichikovhadslept.
“Fairlywell,”repliedChichikov,butwithatouchofdrynessinhistone.
“Thesamewithmyself,”saidNozdrev.“Thetruthisthatsuchalotofnastybruteskeptcrawlingovermethateventospeakofitgivesmetheshudders.Likewise,astheeffectoflastnight’sdoings,awholesquadronofsoldiersseemedtobecampingonmychest,andgivingmeaflogging.Ugh!AndwhomalsodoyouthinkIsawinadream?Youwouldneverguess.Why,itwasStaff-CaptainPotsieluevandLieutenantKuvshinnikov!”
“Yes,”thoughChichikovtohimself,“andIwishthattheytoowouldgiveyouapublicthrashing!”
“Ifeltsoill!”wentonNozdrev.“AndjustafterIhadfallenasleepsomethingDIDcomeandstingme.Probablyitwasapartyofhagfleas.Now,dressyourself,andIwillbewithyoupresently.FirstofallImustgivethatscoundrelofabailiffawigging.
