Мертві душі
Chapter 7
Itseemedthatbothhadlatelyhadatouchofthatpainunderthewaistbandwhichcomesofasedentarylife.Also,itseemedthatthePresidenthadjustbeenconversingwithSobakevitchonthesubjectofsalesofsouls,sincehenowproceededtocongratulateChichikovonthesame—aproceedingwhichratherembarrassedourhero,seeingthatManilovandSobakevitch,twoofthevendors,andpersonswithwhomhehadbargainedinthestrictestprivacy,werenowconfrontingoneanotherdirect.However,ChichikovdulythankedthePresident,andthen,turningtoSobakevitch,inquiredafterHIShealth.
“ThankGod,Ihavenothingtocomplainof,”repliedSobakevitch:whichwastrueenough,seeingthatapieceofironwouldhavecaughtcoldandtakentosneezingsoonerthanwouldthatuncouthlyfashionedlandowner.
“Ah,yes;youhavealwayshadgoodhealth,haveyounot?”putinthePresident.“Yourlatefatherwasequallystrong.”
“Yes,heevenwentoutbearhuntingalone,”repliedSobakevitch.
“Ishouldthinkthatyoutoocouldworstabearifyouweretotryatusslewithhim,”rejoinedthePresident.
“Ohno,”saidSobakevitch.“MyfatherwasastrongermanthanIam.”Thenwithasighthespeakeradded:“Butnowadaystherearenosuchmenashe.Whatisevenalifelikemineworth?”
“Thenyoudonothaveacomfortabletimeofit?”exclaimedthePresident.
“No;farfromit,”rejoinedSobakevitch,shakinghishead.“Judgeforyourself,IvanGrigorievitch.Iamfiftyyearsold,yetneverinmylifehadbeenill,exceptforanoccasionalcarbuncleorboil.Thatisnotagoodsign.
