Мертві душі
Chapter 4
And,sureenough,nosoonerhadNozdrevclappedhiscapuponhisheadthantheflaxen-hairedmanstartedtofollowhimandhiscompanion.
“Butthegentlemanhasnotpaidforthevodka?”putintheoldwoman.
“Allright,allright,goodmother.Lookhere,brother-in-law.Payher,willyou,forIhavenotakopeckleft.”
“Howmuch?”inquiredthebrother-in-law.
“What,sir?Eightykopecks,ifyouplease,”repliedtheoldwoman.
“Alie!Giveherhalfarouble.Thatwillbequiteenough.”
“No,itwillNOT,barin,”protestedtheoldwoman.However,shetookthemoneygratefully,andevenrantothedoortoopenitforthegentlemen.Asamatteroffact,shehadlostnothingbythetransaction,sinceshehaddemandedfullyaquartermorethanthevodkawasworth.
Thetravellersthentooktheirseats,andsinceChichikov’sbritchkakeptalongsidethebritchkawhereinNozdrevandhisbrother-in-lawwereseated,itwaspossibleforallthreementoconversetogetherastheyproceeded.BehindthemcameNozdrev’ssmallerbuggy,withitsteamofleanstagehorsesandPorphyriandthepuppy.Butinasmuchastheconversationwhichthetravellersmaintainedwasnotofakindlikelytointerestthereader,ImightdoworsethansaysomethingconcerningNozdrevhimself,seeingthatheisdestinedtoplaynosmallroleinourstory.
Nozdrev’sfacewillbefamiliartothereader,seeingthateveryonemusthaveencounteredmanysuch.
