Мертвые души
Chapter 5
Takingadvantageofherabsence,ChichikovturnedtoSobakevitch(who,proneinanarmchair,seemed,afterhisponderousmeal,tobecapableofdoinglittlebeyondbelchingandgrunting—eachsuchgruntorbelchnecessitatingasubsequentsigningofthecrossoverthemouth),andintimatedtohimadesiretohavealittleprivateconversationconcerningacertainmatter.Atthismomentthehostessreturned.
“Hereismoredessert,”shesaid.“Prayhaveafewradishesstewedinhoney.”
“Later,later,”repliedSobakevitch.“Doyougotoyourroom,andPaulIvanovitchandIwilltakeoffourcoatsandhaveanap.”
Uponthisthegoodladyexpressedherreadinesstosendforfeatherbedsandcushions,butherhusbandexpressedapreferenceforslumberinginanarmchair,andshethereforedeparted.WhenshehadgoneSobakevitchinclinedhisheadinanattitudeofwillingnesstolistentoChichikov’sbusiness.Ourherobeganinasortofdetachedmanner—touchinglightlyuponthesubjectoftheRussianEmpire,andexpatiatingupontheimmensityofthesame,andsayingthateventheEmpireofAncientRomehadbeenofconsiderablysmallerdimensions.MeanwhileSobakevitchsatwithhisheaddrooping.
