Мертві душі
Chapter 4
”
“Youcannotforcemetoplay,”retortedChichikovcoldlyas,turningtothechessboard,hesweptthepiecesintoconfusion.
NozdrevapproachedChichikovwithamannersothreateningthattheotherfellbackacoupleofpaces.
“IWILLforceyoutoplay,”saidNozdrev.“Itisnouseyoumakingamessofthechessboard,forIcanremembereverymove.Wewillreplacethechessmenexactlyastheywere.”
“No,no,myfriend.Thegameisover,andIplayyounomore.”
“Yousaythatyouwillnot?”
“Yes.Surelyyoucanseeforyourselfthatsuchathingisimpossible?”
“Thatcockwon’tfight.Sayatoncethatyourefusetoplaywithme.”AndNozdrevapproachedastepnearer.
“Verywell;IDOsaythat,”repliedChichikov,andatthesamemomentraisedhishandstowardshisface,forthedisputewasgrowingheated.Norwastheactofcautionaltogetherunwarranted,forNozdrevalsoraisedhisfist,anditmaybethatoneofourhero’splump,pleasant-lookingcheekswouldhavesustainedanindelibleinsulthadnothe(Chichikov)parriedtheblowand,seizingNozdrevbyhiswhirlingarms,heldthemfast.
“Porphyri!Pavlushka!”shoutedNozdrevasmadlyhestrovetofreehimself.
Onhearingthewords,Chichikov,bothbecausehewishedtoavoidrenderingtheservantswitnessesoftheunedifyingsceneandbecausehefeltthatitwouldbeofnoavailtoholdNozdrevanylonger,letgoofthelatter’sarms;butatthesamemomentPorphyriandPavlushkaenteredtheroom—apairofstoutrascalswithwhomitwouldbeunwisetomeddle.
