Мертві душі
Chapter 6
Asheproceededhewhistled,hummedwithhandplacedtrumpetwisetohismouth,andendedbyburstingintoaburstofmelodysostrikingthatSelifan,afterlisteningforawhile,noddedhisheadandexclaimed,“Myword,butthemasterCANsing!”
Bythetimetheyreachedthetowndarknesshadfallen,andchangedthecharacterofthescene.Thebritchkaboundedoverthecobblestones,andatlengthturnedintothehostelry’scourtyard,wherethetravellersweremetbyPetrushka.Withonehandholdingbackthetailsofhiscoat(whichheneverlikedtoseeflyapart),thevaletassistedhismastertoalight.Thewaiterranoutwithcandleinhandandnapkinonshoulder.WhetherornotPetrushkawasgladtoseethebarinreturnitisimpossibletosay,butatalleventsheexchangedawinkwithSelifan,andhisordinarilymoroseexteriorseemedmomentarilytobrighten.
“Thenyouhavebeentravellingfar,sir?”saidthewaiter,ashelitthewayupstarts.
“Yes,”saidChichikov.“Whathashappenedhereinthemeanwhile?”
“Nothing,sir,”repliedthewaiter,bowing,“exceptthatlastnighttherearrivedamilitarylieutenant.Hehasgotroomnumbersixteen.”
“Alieutenant?”
“Yes.HecamefromRiazan,drivingthreegreyhorses.”
Onenteringhisroom,Chichikovclappedhishandtohisnose,andaskedhisvaletwhyhehadneverhadthewindowsopened.
“ButIdidhavethemopened,”repliedPetrushka.Neverthelessthiswasalie,asChichikovwellknew,thoughhewastootiredtocontestthepoint
