Мертвые души
Chapter 4
Thereasonofthiswasthatinthebrothers’household,asinthatofKostanzhoglo,noservantswerekept,sincethewholestaffwereratedasgardeners,andperformedthatdutyinrotation—Vassiliholdingthatdomesticservicewasnotaspecialisedcalling,butonetowhichanyonemightcontributeahand,andthereforeonewhichdidnotrequirespecialmenialstobekeptforthepurpose.Moreover,heheldthattheaverageRussianpeasantremainsactiveandwilling(ratherthanlazy)onlysolongashewearsashirtandapeasant’ssmock;butthatassoonaseverhefindshimselfputintoaGermantailcoat,hebecomesawkward,sluggish,indolent,disinclinedtochangehisvestortakeabath,fondofsleepinginhisclothes,andcertaintobreedfleasandbugsundertheGermanapparel.AnditmaybethatVassiliwasright.Atallevents,thebrothers’peasantrywereexceedinglywellclad—thewomen,inparticular,havingtheirhead-dressesspangledwithgold,andthesleevesoftheirblousesembroideredafterthefashionofaTurkishshawl.
“Youseeherethespeciesofkvassforwhichourhousehaslongbeenfamous,”saidVassilitoChichikov.Thelatterpouredhimselfoutaglassfulfromthefirstdecanterwhichhelightedupon,andfoundthecontentstobelindenhoneyofakindnevertastedbyhimeveninPoland,seeingthatithadasparklelikethatofchampagne,andalsoaneffervescencewhichsentapleasantsprayfromthemouthintothenose.
“Nectar!”heproclaimed.Thenhetooksomefromaseconddecanter.Itprovedtobeevenbetterthanthefirst.“Abeverageofbeverages!”heexclaimed.
