Мертві душі
Chapter 11
Nevertheless,wretchedthoughthisappointmentwas,hedetermined,bystrictattentiontobusiness,toovercomeallobstacles,andtowinsuccess.And,indeed,theself-denial,thepatience,andtheeconomywhichhedisplayedwereremarkable.Fromearlymornuntillateatnighthewould,withindefatigablezealofbodyandmind,remainimmersedinhissordidtaskofcopyingofficialdocuments—nevergoinghome,snatchingwhatsleephecouldontablesinthebuilding,anddiningwiththewatchmanonduty.Yetallthewhilehecontrivedtoremaincleanandneat,topreserveacheerfulexpressionofcountenance,andeventocultivateacertaineleganceofmovement.Inpassing,itmayberemarkedthathisfellowtchinovnikswereapeculiarlyplain,unsightlylot,someofthemhavingfaceslikebadlybakedbread,swollencheeks,recedingchins,andcrackedandblisteredupperlips.Indeed,notamanofthemwashandsome.Also,theirtoneofvoicealwayscontainedanoteofsullenness,asthoughtheyhadamindtoknocksomeoneonthehead;andbytheirfrequentsacrificestoBacchustheyshowedthatevenyetthereremainsintheSlavonicnatureacertainelementofpaganism.Nay,theDirector’sroomitselftheywouldinvadewhilestilllickingtheirlips,andsincetheirbreathwasnotover-aromatic,theatmosphereoftheroomgrewnotover-pleasant.
