Мертвые души
Chapter 3
Havingconcludedhisexamination,ChichikovhadjustextractedanothervolumeofthesamespecieswhenColonelKoshkarevreturnedwithadocumentofsomesortandaradiantcountenance.
“Everythinghasbeencarriedthroughindueform!”hecried.“ThemanwhomImentionedisageniusindeed,andIintendnotonlytopromotehimovertherest,butalsotocreateforhimaspecialDepartment.Herewithshallyouhearwhatasplendidintellectishis,andhowinafewminuteshehasputthewholeaffairinorder.”
“MaytheLordbethankedforthat!”thoughtChichikov.ThenhesettledhimselfwhiletheColonelreadaloud:
“‘AftergivingfullconsiderationtotheReferencewhichyourExcellencyhasentrustedtome,Ihavethehonourtoreportasfollows:
“‘(1)IntheStatementofPleapresentedbyonePaulIvanovitchChichikov,Gentleman,Chevalier,andCollegiateCouncillor,therelurksanerror,inthatanoversighthasledthePetitionertoapplytoRevisionalSoulstheterm“Dead.”Now,fromthecontextitwouldappearthatbythistermthePetitionerdesirestosignifySoulsApproachingDeathratherthanSoulsActuallyDeceased:whereforethetermemployedbetrayssuchanempiricalinstructioninlettersasmust,beyonddoubt,havebeenconfinedtotheVillageSchool,seeingthatintruththeSoulisDeathless.’
“Therascal!”Koshkarevbrokeofftoexclaimdelightedly.“Hehasgotyouthere,MonsieurChichikov.
