Мертвые души

           Throughtheduskcamethehumofhumankind,andthebarkingofdogsinotherandmoredistantvillages;while,overall,themoonwasrising,andthedarkenedcountrysidewasbeginningtoglimmertolightagainunderherbeams.Whatagloriouspicture!Yetnoonethoughtofadmiringit.Insteadofgallopingoverthecountrysideonfriskycobs,NikolashaandAleksashawereengagedindreamingofMoscow,withitsconfectioners’shopsandthetheatresofwhichacadet,newlyarrivedonavisitfromthecapital,hadjustbeentellingthem;whiletheirfatherhadhismindfullofhowbesttostuffhisguestswithyetmorefood,andPlatonwasgivenuptoyawning.OnlyinChichikovwasaspiceofanimationvisible.“Yes,”hereflected,“somedayI,too,willbecomelordofsuchacountryplace.”Andbeforehismind’seyetherearosealsoahelpmeetandsomelittleChichikovs.

           Bythetimethatsupperwasfinishedthepartyhadagainover-eatenthemselves,andwhenChichikoventeredtheroomallottedhimforthenight,helaydownuponthebed,andproddedhisstomach.“Itisastightasadrum,”hesaidtohimself.“Notanothertitbitofvealcouldnowgetintoit.”Also,circumstanceshadsobroughtitaboutthatnextdoortohimtherewassituatedhishost’sapartment;andsincetheinterveningwallwasthin,Chichikovcouldheareverywordthatwassaidthere.Atthepresentmomentthemasterofthehousewasengagedingivingthecookordersforwhat,undertheguiseofanearlybreakfast,promisedtoconstituteaveritabledinner.