Мертвые души

           Inshort,theywerewhatisknownas“averyhappycouple.”Yetitmayberemarkedthatahouseholdrequiresotherpursuitstobeengagedinthanlengthyembracingsandthepreparingofcunning“surprises.”Yes,manyafunctioncallsforfulfilment.Forinstance,whyshoulditbethoughtfoolishorlowtosuperintendthekitchen?Whyshouldcarenotbetakenthatthestoreroomneverlackssupplies?Whyshouldahousekeeperbeallowedtothieve?Whyshouldslovenlyanddrunkenservantsexist?Whyshouldadomesticstaffbesufferedinindulgeinboutsofunconscionabledebaucheryduringitsleisuretime?YetnoneofthesethingswerethoughtworthyofconsiderationbyManilov’swife,forshehadbeengentlybroughtup,andgentlenurture,asweallknow,istobeacquiredonlyinboardingschools,andboardingschools,asweknow,holdthethreeprincipalsubjectswhichconstitutethebasisofhumanvirtuetobetheFrenchlanguage(athingindispensabletothehappinessofmarriedlife),piano-playing(athingwherewithtobeguileahusband’sleisuremoments),andthatparticulardepartmentofhousewiferywhichiscomprisedintheknittingofpursesandother“surprises.”Neverthelesschangesandimprovementshavebeguntotakeplace,sincethingsnowaregovernedmorebythepersonalinclinationsandidiosyncraciesofthekeepersofsuchestablishments.