Мертвые души
Chapter 5
“Idon’tintendtobelikeafellownamedPlushkin,whoownseighthundredsouls,yetdinesworsethandoesmyshepherd.”
“WhoisPlushkin?”askedChichikov.
“Amiser,”repliedSobakevitch.“Suchamiserasneveryoucouldimagine.Evenconvictsinprisonlivebetterthanhedoes.Andhestarveshisservantsaswell.”
“Really?”ejaculatedChichikov,greatlyinterested.“Shouldyou,then,saythathehaslostmanypeasantsbydeath?”
“Certainly.Theykeepdyinglikeflies.”
“Thenhowfarfromheredoeshereside?”
“Aboutfiveversts.”
“Onlyfiveversts?”exclaimedChichikov,feelinghisheartbeatingjoyously.“Oughtone,whenleavingyourgates,toturntotherightortotheleft?”
“Ishouldbesorrytotellyouthewaytothehouseofsuchacur,”saidSobakevitch.“AmanhadfarbettergotohellthantoPlushkin’s.”
“Quiteso,”respondedChichikov.“Myonlyreasonforaskingyouisthatitinterestsmetobecomeacquaintedwithanyandeverysortoflocality.”
Totheshoulderofmuttontheresucceeded,inturn,cutlets(eachonelargerthanaplate),aturkeyofaboutthesizeofacalf,eggs,rice,pastry,andeveryconceivablethingwhichcouldpossiblybeputintoastomach.Therethemealended.WhenherosefromtableChichikovfeltasthoughapood’sweightwereinsidehim.Inthedrawing-roomthecompanyfounddessertawaitingthemintheshapeofpears,plums,andapples;butsinceneitherhostnorguestcouldtackletheseparticulardaintiesthehostessremovedthemtoanotherroom.
