Мертві душі

           InthosedaysmortgagetotheTreasurywasaninnovationlookeduponwithreserve,and,asattorneyinthematter,Chichikovhadfirstofallto“entertain”everyofficialconcerned(weknowthat,unlessthatbepreviouslydone,unlessawholebottleofmadeirafirstbeemptieddowneachclericalthroat,notthesmallestlegalaffaircanbecarriedthrough),andtoexplain,forthebarringoffutureattachments,thathalfofthepeasantsweredead.

           “Andaretheyenteredontherevisionlists?”askedthesecretary.“Yes,”repliedChichikov.“Thenwhatareyoubogglingat?”continuedtheSecretary.“Shouldonesouldie,anotherwillbeborn,andintimegrowuptotakethefirstone’splace.”Uponthattheredawnedonourherooneofthemostinspiredideaswhicheverenteredthehumanbrain.“WhatasimpletonIam!”hethoughttohimself.“HereamIlookingaboutformymittenswhenallthetimeIhavegotthemtuckedintomybelt.Why,wereImyselftobuyupafewsoulswhicharedead—tobuythembeforeanewrevisionlistshallhavebeenmade,theCouncilofPublicTrustmightpaymetwohundredroublesapieceforthem,andImightfindmyselfwith,say,acapitaloftwohundredthousandroubles!Thepresentmomentisparticularlypropitious,sinceinvariouspartsofthecountrytherehasbeenanepidemic,and,glorybetoGod,alargenumberofsoulshavediedofit.Nowadayslandownershavetakentocard-playingandjunkettingandwastingtheirmoney,ortojoiningtheCivilServiceinSt.