Мертвые души
Chapter 4
”
Chichikovdepartedtohisownroomtowashanddress;whichprocesscompleted,heenteredthedining-roomtofindthetablelaidwithtea-thingsandabottleofrum.Clearlynobroomhadyettouchedtheplace,forthereremainedtracesofthepreviousnight’sdinnerandsupperintheshapeofcrumbsthrownoverthefloorandtobaccoashonthetablecloth.Thehosthimself,whenheentered,wasstillcladinadressing-gownexposingahairychest;andashesatholdinghispipeinhishand,anddrinkingteafromacup,hewouldhavemadeamodelforthesortofpainterwhopreferstoportraygentlemenofthelesscurledandscentedorder.
“Whatthinkyou?”heaskedofChichikovafterashortsilence.“AreyouwillingNOWtoplaymeforthosesouls?”
“IhavetoldyouthatIneverplaycards.Ifthesoulsareforsale,Iwillbuythem.”
“Ideclinetosellthem.Suchwouldnotbethecourseproperbetweenfriends.Butagameofbankerwouldbequiteanothermatter.Letusdealthecards.”
“IhavetoldyouthatIdeclinetoplay.”
“Andyouwillnotagreetoanexchange?”
“No.”
“Thenlookhere.Supposeweplayagameofchess.Ifyouwin,thesoulsshallbeyours.TherearelotswhichIshouldliketoseecrossedofftherevisionlist.Hi,Porphyri!Bringmethechessboard.”
“Youarewastingyourtime.Iwillplayneitherchessnorcards.”
“Butchessisdifferentfromplayingwithabank.Inchesstherecanbeneitherlucknorcheating,foreverythingdependsuponskill.Infact,IwarnyouthatIcannotpossiblyplaywithyouunlessyouallowmeamoveortwoinadvance.
