Мертві душі
Chapter 7
Forinstance,Sobakevitch,disdaininglessertrifles,tackledthelargesturgeon,and,duringthetimethathisfellowguestswereeatingminorcomestibles,anddrinkingandtalking,contrivedtoconsumemorethanaquarterofthewholefish;sothat,onthehostrememberingthecreature,and,withforkinhand,leadingthewayinitsdirectionandsaying,“What,gentlemen,thinkyouofthisstrikingproductofnature?”thereensuedthediscoverythatofthesaidproductofnaturethereremainedlittlebeyondthetail,whileSobakevitch,withanairasthoughatleastHEhadnoteatenit,wasengagedinplunginghisforkintoamuchmorediminutivepieceoffishwhichhappenedtoberestingonanadjacentplatter.Afterhisdivorcefromthesturgeon,Sobakevitchateanddranknomore,butsatfrowningandblinkinginanarmchair.
Apparentlythehostwasnotamanwhobelievedinsparingthewine,forthetoastsdrunkwereinnumerable.Thefirsttoast(asthereadermayguess)wasquaffedtothehealthofthenewlandownerofKherson;thesecondtotheprosperityofhispeasantsandtheirsafetransferment;andthethirdtothebeautyofhisfuturewife—acomplimentwhichbroughttoourhero’slipsaflickeringsmile.Lastly,hereceivedfromthecompanyapressing,aswellasanunanimous,invitationtoextendhisstayintownforatleastanotherfortnight,and,inthemeanwhile,toallowawifetobefoundforhim.
“Quiteso,”agreedthePresident.“Fightustoothandnailthoughyoumay,weintendtohaveyoumarried.Youhavehappeneduponusbychance,andyoushallhavenoreasontorepentofit.
