Мертвые души

           Nay,evenSobakevitch—whoasaruleneverspokewellofANYONE—saidtohislankywifewhen,onreturninglatefromthetown,heundressedandbetookhimselftobedbyherside:“Mydear,thisevening,afterdiningwiththeChiefofPolice,IwentontotheGovernor’s,andmetthere,amongothers,acertainPaulIvanovitchChichikov,whoisaCollegiateCouncillorandaverypleasantfellow.”Tothishisspousereplied“Hm!”andthendealthimaheartykickintheribs.

           Suchweretheflatteringopinionsearnedbythenewcomertothetown;andtheseopinionsheretaineduntilthetimewhenacertainspecialityofhis,acertainschemeofhis(thereaderwilllearnpresentlywhatitwas),plungedthemajorityofthetownsfolkintoaseaofperplexity.