Мертвые души
Chapter 7
”
“Wouldyoumindtellingme,”repeatedChichikov,“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs?”
“Itisthat,”saidIvanAntonovitch,againloweringhisjug-shapedjowl,andresuminghiswriting.
“ThenIshouldliketotransactthefollowingbusiness.FromvariouslandownersinthiscantonIhavepurchasedanumberofpeasantsfortransfer.Hereisthepurchaselist,anditneedsbuttoberegistered.”
“Haveyoualsothevendorshere?”
“Someofthem,andfromtherestIhaveobtainedpowersofattorney.”
“Andhaveyouyourstatementofapplication?”
“Yes.Idesire—indeed,itisnecessaryformesotodo—tohastenmattersalittle.Couldtheaffair,therefore,becarriedthroughto-day?”
“To-day?Oh,dearno!”saidIvanAntonovitch.“Beforethatcanbedoneyoumustfurnishmewithfurtherproofsthatnoimpedimentsexist.”
“Then,toexpeditematters,letmesaythatIvanGrigorievitch,thePresidentoftheCouncil,isaveryintimatefriendofmine.”
“Possibly,”saidIvanAntonovitchwithoutenthusiasm.“ButIvanGrigorievitchalonewillnotdo—itiscustomarytohaveothersaswell.”
“Yes,buttheabsenceofotherswillnotaltogetherinvalidatethetransaction.Itoohavebeenintheservice,andknowhowthingscanbedone.”
“YouhadbettergoandseeIvanGrigorievitch,”saidIvanAntonovitchmoremildly.“Shouldhegiveyouanorderaddressedtowhomitmayconcern,weshallsoonbeabletosettlethematter.”
UponthatChichikovpulledfromhispocketapaper,andlaiditbeforeIvanAntonovitch.Atoncethelattercovereditwithabook.
