Мертві душі
Chapter 4
“Doyou,ordoyounot,intendtofinishthegame?”saidNozdrev.“Givemeadirectanswer.”
“No;itwillnotbepossibletofinishthegame,”repliedChichikov,glancingoutofthewindow.Hecouldseehisbritchkastandingreadyforhim,andSelifanevidentlyawaitingorderstodrawuptotheentrancesteps.Butfromtheroomtherewasnoescape,sinceinthedoorwaywaspostedthecoupleofwell-builtserving-men.
“ThenitisasIsay?Yourefusetofinishthegame?”repeatedNozdrev,hisfaceasredasfire.
“Iwouldhavefinishedithadyouplayedlikeamanofhonour.But,asitis,Icannot.”
“Youcannot,eh,youvillain?Youfindthatyoucannotassoonasyoufindthatyouarenotwinning?Thrashhim,youfellows!”AndashespokeNozdrevgraspedthecherrywoodshankofhispipe.Chichikovturnedaswhiteasasheet.Hetriedtosaysomething,buthisquiveringlipsemittednosound.“Thrashhim!”againshoutedNozdrevasherushedforwardinastateofheatandperspirationmorepropertoawarriorwhoisattackinganimpregnablefortress.“Thrashhim!”againheshoutedinavoicelikethatofsomehalf-dementedlieutenantwhosedesperatebraveryhasacquiredsuchareputationthatordershavehadtobeissuedthathishandsshallbeheldlestheattemptdeedsofover-presumptuousdaring.Seizedwiththemilitaryspirit,however,thelieutenant’sheadbeginstowhirl,andbeforehiseyethereflitstheimageofSuvorov21.
