Мертвые души
Chapter 2
Forinstance,insomeseminariestheregimenplacespiano-playingfirst,andtheFrenchlanguagesecond,andthentheabovedepartmentofhousewifery;whileinotherseminariestheknittingof“surprises”headsthelist,andthentheFrenchlanguage,andthentheplayingofpianos—sodiversearethesystemsinforce!Nonetheless,ImayremarkthatMadameManilov—
ButletmeconfessthatIalwaysshrinkfromsayingtoomuchaboutladies.Moreover,itistimethatwereturnedtoourheroes,who,duringthepastfewminutes,havebeenstandinginfrontofthedrawing-roomdoor,andengagedinurgingoneanothertoenterfirst.
“Praybesogoodasnottoinconvenienceyourselfonmyaccount,”saidChichikov.“IwillfollowYOU.”
“No,PaulIvanovitch—no!Youaremyguest.”AndManilovpointedtowardsthedoorway.
“Makenodifficultyaboutit,Ipray,”urgedChichikov.“Ibegofyoutomakenodifficultyaboutit,buttopassintotheroom.”
“Pardonme,Iwillnot.NevercouldIallowsodistinguishedandsowelcomeaguestasyourselftotakesecondplace.”
“Whycallme‘distinguished,’mydearsir?Ibegofyoutoproceed.”
“Nay;beYOUpleasedtodoso.”
“Andwhy?”
“ForthereasonwhichIhavestated.”AndManilovsmiledhisverypleasantestsmile.
Finallythepairenteredsimultaneouslyandsideways;withtheresultthattheyjostledoneanothernotalittleintheprocess.
“Allowmetopresenttoyoumywife,”continuedManilov.“Mydear—PaulIvanovitch.
