Мертвые души

           Thelatestarrivalwasamanofmediumheight,butwellputtogether,andpossessedofapairoffullredcheeks,asetofteethaswhiteassnow,andcoal-blackwhiskers.Indeed,sofreshwashiscomplexionthatitseemedtohavebeencompoundedofbloodandmilk,whilehealthdancedinhiseveryfeature.

           “Ha,ha,ha!”hecriedwithagestureofastonishmentatthesightofChichikov.“WhatchancebringsYOUhere?”

           UponthatChichikovrecognisedNozdrev—themanwhomhehadmetatdinneratthePublicProsecutor’s,andwho,withinaminuteortwooftheintroduction,hadbecomesointimatewithhisfellowguestastoaddresshiminthesecondpersonsingular,inspiteofthefactthatChichikovhadgivenhimnoopportunityfordoingso.

           “Wherehaveyoubeento-day?”Nozdrevinquired,and,withoutwaitingforananswer,wenton:“Formyself,Iamjustfromthefair,andcompletelycleanedout.Actually,Ihavehadtodothejourneybackwithstagehorses!Lookoutofthewindow,andseethemforyourself.”AndheturnedChichikov’sheadsosharplyinthedesireddirectionthathecameveryneartobumpingitagainstthewindowframe.“Didyoueverseesuchabagoftricks?Thecursedthingshaveonlyjustmanagedtogethere.Infact,onthewayIhadtotransfermyselftothisfellow’sbritchka.”Heindicatedhiscompanionwithafinger.“Bytheway,don’tyouknowoneanother?HeisMizhuev,mybrother-in-law.HeandIweretalkingofyouonlythismorning.‘Justyousee,’saidItohim,‘ifwedonotfallinwithChichikovbeforewehavedone.