Мертві душі
Chapter 1
Onthevehiclereachingtheinndoor,itsoccupantfoundstandingtheretowelcomehimthepolevoi,orwaiter,oftheestablishment—anindividualofsuchnimbleandbriskmovementthateventodistinguishthecharacterofhisfacewasimpossible.Runningoutwithanapkininonehandandhislankyformcladinatailcoat,reachingalmosttothenapeofhisneck,hetossedbackhislocks,andescortedthegentlemanupstairs,alongawoodengallery,andsotothebedchamberwhichGodhadpreparedforthegentleman’sreception.Thesaidbedchamberwasofquiteordinaryappearance,sincetheinnbelongedtothespeciestobefoundinallprovincialtowns—thespecieswherein,fortworoublesaday,travellersmayobtainaroomswarmingwithblack-beetles,andcommunicatingbyadoorwaywiththeapartmentadjoining.True,thedoorwaymaybeblockedupwithawardrobe;yetbehindit,inallprobability,therewillbestandingasilent,motionlessneighbourwhoseearsareburningtolearneverypossibledetailconcerningthelatestarrival.Theinn’sexteriorcorrespondedwithitsinterior.Long,andconsistingonlyoftwostoreys,thebuildinghaditslowerhalfdestituteofstucco;withtheresultthatthedark-redbricks,originallymoreorlessdingy,hadgrownyetdingierundertheinfluenceofatmosphericchanges.Asfortheupperhalfofthebuilding,itwas,ofcourse,paintedtheusualtintofunfadingyellow.
