Мертвые души
Chapter 3
Butperhapstheharvesthasfailed,oryouhavesicknessabout,andmanyofyourmalepeasantshavediedofit?”
“Onthecontrary,everythingisinsplendidorder,formybrotheristhebestofmanagers.”
“Thentofindthingswearisome!”exclaimedChichikov.“Itpassesmycomprehension.”Andheshruggedhisshoulders.
“Well,wewillsoonputwearinesstoflight,”interruptedthehost.“Aleksasha,doyourunhelter-skeltertothekitchen,andtheretellthecooktoservethefishpasties.Yes,andwherehavethatgawkofanEmelianandthatthiefofanAntoshkagotto?Whyhavetheynothandedroundthezakuski?”
Atthismomentthedooropened,andthe“gawk”andthe“thief”inquestionmadetheirappearancewithnapkinsandatray—thelatterbearingsixdecantersofvariously-colouredbeverages.Thesetheyplaceduponthetable,andthenringedthemaboutwithglassesandplatefulsofeveryconceivablekindofappetiser.Thatdone,theservantsappliedthemselvestobringinginvariouscomestiblesundercovers,throughwhichcouldbeheardthehissingofhotroastviands.Inparticulardidthe“gawk”andthe“thief”workhardattheirtasks.Asamatteroffact,theirappellationshadbeengiventhemmerelytospurthemtogreateractivity,for,ingeneral,thebarinwasnoloverofabuse,but,rather,akind-heartedmanwho,likemostRussians,couldnotgetonwithoutasharpwordortwo.Thatistosay,heneededthemforhistongueasheneedaglassofvodkaforhisdigestion.Whatelsecouldyouexpect?Itwashisnaturetocarefornothingmild.
