Мертві душі
Chapter 2
Afterissuing,overnight,thenecessaryorders,heawokeearly,washedhimself,rubbedhimselffromheadtofootwithawetsponge(aperformanceexecutedonlyonSundays—andthedayinquestionhappenedtobeaSunday),shavedhisfacewithsuchcarethathischeeksissuedofabsolutelysatin-likesmoothnessandpolish,donnedfirsthisbilberry-coloured,spottedfrockcoat,andthenhisbearskinovercoat,descendedthestaircase(attended,throughout,bythewaiter)andenteredhisbritchka.Withaloudrattlethevehiclelefttheinn-yard,andissuedintothestreet.Apassingpriestdoffedhiscap,andafewurchinsingrimyshirtsshouted,“Gentleman,pleasegiveapoororphanatrifle!”Presentlythedrivernoticedthatasturdyyoungrascalwasonthepointofclimbingontothesplashboard;whereforehecrackedhiswhipandthebritchkaleaptforwardwithincreasedspeedoverthecobblestones.Atlast,withafeelingofrelief,thetravellerscaughtsightofmacadamahead,whichpromisedanendbothtothecobblestonesandtosundryotherannoyances.And,sureenough,afterhisheadhadbeenbumpedafewmoretimesagainstthebootoftheconveyance,Chichikovfoundhimselfbowlingoversofterground.Onthetownrecedingintothedistance,thesidesoftheroadbegantobevariedwiththeusualhillocks,firtrees,clumpsofyoungpine,treeswithold,scarredtrunks,bushesofwildjuniper,andsoforth.
