Мертві душі
Chapter 4
Forinstance,hewouldbegintellingastorytotheeffectthathepossessedablue-coatedorared-coatedhorse;until,intheend,hislistenerswouldbeforcedtoleavehimwiththeremark,“Youaregivingussomefinestuff,oldfellow!”Also,menlikeNozdrevhaveapassionforinsultingtheirneighbourswithouttheleastexcuseafforded.(Forthatmatter,evenamanofgoodstandingandofrespectableexterior—amanwithastaronhisbreast—mayunexpectedlypressyourhandoneday,andbegintalkingtoyouonsubjectsofanaturetogivefoodforseriousthought.Yetjustasunexpectedlymaythatmanstartabusingyoutoyourface—anddosoinamannerworthyofacollegiateregistrarratherthanofamanwhowearsastaronhisbreastandaspirestoconverseonsubjectswhichmeritreflection.Allthatonecandoinsuchacaseistostandshruggingone’sshouldersinamazement.)Well,Nozdrevhadjustsuchaweakness.Themorehebecamefriendlywithaman,thesoonerwouldheinsulthim,andbereadytospreadcalumniesastohisreputation.Yetallthewhilehewouldconsiderhimselftheinsultedone’sfriend,and,shouldhemeethimagain,wouldgreethiminthemostamicablestylepossible,andsay,“Yourascal,whyhaveyougivenupcomingtoseeme.”Thus,takenallround,Nozdrevwasapersonofmanyaspectsandnumerouspotentialities.
