Мертвые души
Chapter 4
”
PoorKhlobuevcouldnotutterawordinreply,andMurazovbegantofeelsorryforhim.
“Listen,SemenSemenovitch,”hewenton.“Iknowthatyousayyourprayers,andthatyougotochurch,andthatyouobservebothMatinsandVespers,andthat,thoughaversetoearlyrising,youleaveyourbedatfouro’clockinthemorningbeforethehouseholdfireshavebeenlit.”
“Ah,AthanasiVassilievitch,”saidKhlobuev,“thatisanothermatteraltogether.ThatIdo,notforman’ssake,butforthesakeofHimwhohasorderedallthingshereonearth.Yes,IbelievethatHeatleastcanfeelcompassionforme,thatHeatleast,thoughIbefoulandlowly,willpardonmeandreceivemewhenallmenhavecastmeout,andmybestfriendhasbetrayedmeandboastedthathehasdoneitforagoodend.”
Khlobuev’sfacewasglowingwithemotion,andfromtheolderman’seyesalsoatearhadstarted.
“YouwilldowelltohearkenuntoHimwhoismerciful,”hesaid.“Butrememberalsothat,intheeyesoftheAll-Merciful,honesttoilisofequalmeritwithaprayer.Thereforetakeuntoyourselfwhatsoevertaskyoumay,anddoitasthoughyouweredoingit,notuntoman,butuntoGod.Eventhoughtoyourlotthereshouldfallbutthecleaningofafloor,cleanthatfloorasthoughitwerebeingcleanedforHimalone.Andthenceatleastthisgoodyouwillreap:thattherewillremaintoyounotimeforwhatisevil—forcardplaying,forfeasting,forallthelifeofthisgayworld.AreyouacquaintedwithIvanPotapitch?”
“Yes,notonlyamIacquaintedwithhim,butIalsogreatlyrespecthim.
