Мертві душі
Chapter 6
TothisChichikovassentedreadilyenough—merelyaddingthatheshouldlikefirstofalltobefurnishedwithalistofthedeadsouls.ThisreassuredPlushkinastohisguest’sintentionofdoingbusiness,sohegotouthiskeys,approachedacupboard,and,havingpulledbackthedoor,rummagedamongthecupsandglasseswithwhichitwasfilled.Atlengthhesaid:
“Icannotfinditnow,butIusedtopossessasplendidbottleofliquor.Probablytheservantshavedrunkitall,fortheyaresuchthieves.Ohno:perhapsthisisit!”
Lookingup,ChichikovsawthatPlushkinhadextractedadecantercoatedwithdust.
“Mylatewifemadethestuff,”wentontheoldman,“butthatrascalofahousekeeperwentandthrewawayalotofit,andneverevenreplacedthestopper.Consequentlybugsandothernastycreaturesgotintothedecanter,butIcleaneditout,andnowbegtoofferyouaglassful.”
TheideaofadrinkfromsuchareceptaclewastoomuchforChichikov,soheexcusedhimselfonthegroundthathehadjusthadluncheon.
“Youhavejusthadluncheon?”re-echoedPlushkin.“Now,THATshowshowinvariablyonecantellamanofgoodsociety,wheresoeveronemaybe.Amanofthatkindnevereatsanything—healwayssaysthathehashadenough.Verydifferentthatfromthewaysofarogue,whomonecanneversatisfy,howevermuchonemaygivehim.Forinstance,thatcaptainofmineisconstantlybeggingmetolethimhaveameal—thoughheisaboutasmuchmynephewasIamhisgrandfather.Asithappens,thereisneverabiteofanythinginthehouse,sohehastogoawayempty.
