Мертві душі

           ’Bynowtheroomwasasfullofpeopleasaplateisofbeans,andwhenthePresidentleftthebreakfast-roomhebroughtwithhim,oh,suchdignityandrefinement,andsuchanairofthemetropolis!Firsthewalkeduptooneperson,andthenuptoanother,saying:‘WhatdoYOUwant?AndwhatdoYOUwant?WhatcanIdoforYOU?WhatisYOURbusiness?’AndatlengthhestoppedbeforeKopeikin,andKopeikinsaidtohim:‘Ihaveshedmyblood,andlostbothanarmandaleg,formycountry,andamunabletowork.MightIthereforedaretoaskyouforalittlehelp,iftheregulationsshouldpermitofit,orforagratuity,orforapension,orsomethingofthekind?’ThenthePresidentlookedathim,andsawthatoneofhislegswasindeedawoodenone,andthatanemptyrightsleevewaspinnedtohisuniform.‘Verywell,’hesaid.‘Cometomeagaininafewdays’time.’UponthisfriendKopeikinfeltdelighted.‘NOWIhavedonemyjob!’hethoughttohimself;andyoumayimaginehowgailyhetrottedalongthepavement,andhowhedroppedintoatavernforaglassofvodka,andhowheorderedacutletandsomecapersauceandsomeotherthingsforluncheon,andhowhecalledforabottleofwine,andhowhewenttothetheatreintheevening!Inshort,hedidhimselfthoroughlywell.Next,hesawinthestreetayoungEnglishlady,asgracefulasaswan,andsetoffafterheronhiswoodenleg.‘Butno,’hethoughttohimself.‘Tothedevilwiththatsortofthingjustnow!IwillwaituntilIhavedrawnmypension.ForthepresentIhavespentenough.