Мертві душі
Chapter 11
Yetthemovementsoftheirhandsandlipsmadeitevidentthattheywereindulginginanimatedconversation—probablyabouttheGovernor-General,theballswhichhemightbeexpectedtogive,andtheirowneternalfripperiesandgewgaws.Lastlycameafewemptydrozhkis.Assoonasthelatterhadpassed,ourherowasabletocontinueonhisway.Throwingbackthehoodofthebritchka,hesaidtohimself:
“Ah,goodfriend,youhavelivedyourlife,andnowitisover!Inthenewspaperstheywillsayofyouthatyoudiedregrettednotonlybyyoursubordinates,butalsobyhumanityatlarge,aswellasthat,arespectedcitizen,akindfather,andahusbandbeyondreproach,youwenttoyourgraveamidthetearsofyourwidowandorphans.Yet,shouldthosejournalsbeputtoittonameanyparticularcircumstancewhichjustifiedthiseulogyofyou,theywouldbeforcedtofallbackuponthefactthatyougrewapairofexceptionallythickeyebrows!”
WiththatChichikovbidSelifanquickenhispace,andconcluded:“Afterall,itisaswellthatIencounteredtheprocession,fortheysaythattomeetafuneralislucky.
