Мертві душі

           Oneman’smaybesportingdogs;anotherman’smaybethatofbelievinghimselftobealoverofmusic,andabletosoundthearttoitsinmostdepths;another’smaybethatofposingasaconnoisseurofrecherchecookery;another’smaybethatofaspiringtoplayrolesofakindhigherthannaturehasassignedhim;another’s(thoughthisisamorelimitedambition)maybethatofgettingdrunk,andofdreamingthatheisedifyingbothhisfriends,hisacquaintances,andpeoplewithwhomhehasnoconnectionatallbywalkingarm-in-armwithanImperialaide-de-camp;another’smaybethatofpossessingahandabletochipcornersoffacesanddeucesofdiamonds;another’smaybethatofyearningtosetthingsstraight—inotherwords,toapproximatehispersonalitytothatofastationmasteroradirectorofposts.Inshort,almosteverymanhashishobbyorhisleaning;yetManilovhadnonesuch,forathomehespokelittle,andspentthegreaterpartofhistimeinmeditation—thoughGodonlyknowswhatthatmeditationcomprised!Norcanitbesaidthathetookmuchinterestinthemanagementofhisestate,forheneverrodeintothecountry,andtheestatepracticallymanageditself.Wheneverthebailiffsaidtohim,“Itmightbewelltohavesuch-and-suchathingdone,”hewouldreply,“Yes,thatisnotabadidea,”andthengoonsmokinghispipe—ahabitwhichhehadacquiredduringhisserviceinthearmy,wherehehadbeenlookeduponasanofficerofmodesty,delicacy,andrefinement.“Yes,itisNOTabadidea,”hewouldrepeat.