Мертвые души
Chapter 9
Inthewindowsofthebuildingwerealsoafewflowerpotsandaparrotthatkeptalternatelydancingonthefloorofitscageandhangingontotheringofthesamewithitsbeak.Also,inthesunshinebeforethedoortwopetdogsweresleeping.Heretherelivedthelady’sbosomfriend.Assoonasthebosomfriendinquestionlearntofthenewcomer’sarrival,sherandownintothehall,andthetwoladieskissedandembracedoneanother.Thentheyadjournedtothedrawing-room.
“HowgladIamtoseeyou!”saidthebosomfriend.“WhenIheardsomeonearrivingIwonderedwhocouldpossiblybecallingsoearly.ParashadeclaredthatitmustbetheVice-Governor’swife,so,asIdidnotwanttobeboredwithher,IgaveordersthatIwastobereported‘notathome.’”
Forherpart,theguestwouldhavelikedtohaveproceededtobusinessbycommunicatinghertidings,butasuddenexclamationfromthehostessimparted(temporarily)anewdirectiontotheconversation.
“Whataprettychintz!”shecried,gazingattheother’sgown.
“Yes,itISpretty,”agreedthevisitor.“Ontheotherhand,PraskoviaThedorovnathinksthat—”
Inotherwords,theladiesproceededtoindulgeinaconversationonthesubjectofdress;andonlyafterthishadlastedforaconsiderablewhiledidthevisitorletfallaremarkwhichledherentertainertoinquire:
“Andhowistheuniversalcharmer?”
“MyGod!”repliedtheother.
