Мертвые души
Chapter 2
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Afteranothercontestforthehonourofyieldingprecedence,Chichikovsucceededinmakinghisway(inzigzagfashion)tothedining-room,wheretheyfoundawaitingthemacoupleofyoungsters.ThesewereManilov’ssons,andboysoftheagewhichadmitsoftheirpresenceattable,butnecessitatesthecontinueduseofhighchairs.Besidethemwastheirtutor,whobowedpolitelyandsmiled;afterwhichthehostesstookherseatbeforehersoupplate,andtheguestofhonourfoundhimselfesconsedbetweenherandthemasterofthehouse,whiletheservanttieduptheboys’necksinbibs.
“Whatcharmingchildren!”saidChichikovashegazedatthepair.“Andhowoldarethey?”
“Theeldestiseight,”repliedManilov,“andtheyoungeroneattainedtheageofsixyesterday.”
“Themistocleus,”wentonthefather,turningtohisfirst-born,whowasengagedinstrivingtofreehischinfromthebibwithwhichthefootmanhadencircledit.OnhearingthisdistinctlyGreekname(towhich,forsomeunknownreason,Manilovalwaysappendedthetermination“eus”),Chichikovraisedhiseyebrowsalittle,buthastened,thenextmoment,torestorehisfacetoamorebefittingexpression.
“Themistocleus,”repeatedthefather,“tellmewhichisthefinestcityinFrance.”
UponthisthetutorconcentratedhisattentionuponThemistocleus,andappearedtobetryinghardtocatchhiseye.OnlywhenThemistocleushadmuttered“Paris”didthepreceptorgrowcalmer,andnodhishead.
“AndwhichisthefinestcityinRussia?”continuedManilov.
