Мертві душі

           Infact,everyoneattheofficesupposedthat,attheendofFebruary(i.e.beforethebeginningofLent)therewouldtakeplaceawedding.Nay,thesurlyfatherevenbegantoagitatewiththeauthoritiesonChichikov’sbehalf,andsoenabledourhero,onavacancyoccurring,toattainthestoolofaChiefClerk.ApparentlythismarkedtheconsummationofChichikov’srelationswithhishost,forhehastenedstealthilytopackhistrunkand,thenextday,figuredinafreshlodging.Also,heceasedtocalltheChiefClerk“Papenka,”ortokisshishand;andthematteroftheweddingcametoasabruptaterminationasthoughithadneverbeenmooted.Yetalsoheneverfailedtopresshislatehost’shand,wheneverhemethim,andtoinvitehimtotea;while,ontheotherhand,forallhisimmobilityanddryindifference,theChiefClerkneverfailedtoshakehisheadwithamuttered,“Ah,myfinefellow,youhavegrowntooproud,youhavegrowntooproud.”

           Theforegoingconstitutedthemostdifficultstepthatourherohadtonegotiate.Thereafterthingscamewithgreatereaseandswiftersuccess.Everywhereheattractednotice,forhedevelopedwithinhimselfeverythingnecessaryforthisworld—namely,charmofmannerandbearing,andgreatdiligenceinbusinessmatters.