Мертвые души

           YoushouldhaveheardPietukh’sbehests!Theywouldhaveexcitedtheappetiteofacorpse.

           “Yes,”hesaid,suckinghislips,anddrawingadeepbreath,“inthefirstplace,makeapastyinfourdivisions.Intooneofthedivisionsputthesturgeon’scheeksandsomeviaziga46,andintoanotherdivisionsomebuckwheatporridge,youngmushroomsandonions,sweetmilk,calves’brains,andanythingelsethatyoumayfindsuitable—anythingelsethatyoumayhavegothandy.Also,bakethepastrytoanicebrownononeside,andbutlightlyontheother.Yes,and,astotheunderside,bakeitsothatitwillbealljuicyandflaky,sothatitshallnotcrumbleintobits,butmeltinthemouthlikethesoftestsnowthateveryouheardof.”AndashesaidthisPietukhfairlysmackedhislips.

           “Thedeviltakehim!”mutteredChichikov,thrustinghisheadbeneaththebedclothestoavoidhearingmore.“Thefellowwon’tgiveoneachancetosleep.”

           Neverthelessheheardthroughtheblankets:

           “Andgarnishthesturgeonwithbeetroot,smelts,pepperedmushrooms,youngradishes,carrots,beans,andanythingelseyoulike,soastohaveplentyoftrimmings.Yes,andputalumpoficeintothepig’sbladder,soastoswellitup.”

           ManyotherdishesdidPietukhorder,andnothingwastobeheardbuthistalkofboiling,roasting,andstewing.Finally,justasmentionwasbeingmadeofaturkeycock,Chichikovfellasleep.