Мертві душі
Chapter 2
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“Butwhoeversupposedhimtobeafool?”askedthegirlquickly.“WhathappenedwasthatyoutookVishnepokromov’sword—thewordofamanwhoishimselfbothafoolandagood-for-nothing.”
“Well,well,”saidthefatherafterfurthergood-natureddisputeonthesubjectofVishnepokromov.“Doyounowrunaway,forIwishtodressforluncheon.Andyou,sir,”headdedtoChichikov,“willyounotjoinusattable?”
Chichikovbowedsolowandsolongthat,bythetimethathiseyeshadceasedtoseenothingbuthisownboots,theGeneral’sdaughterhaddisappeared,andinherplacewasstandingabewhiskeredbutler,armedwithasilversoap-dishandahand-basin.
“DoyoumindifIwashinyourpresence?”askedthehost.
“Bynomeans,”repliedChichikov.“Praydowhatsoeveryoupleaseinthatrespect.”
UponthattheGeneralfelltoscrubbinghimself—incidentally,tosendingsoapsudsflyingineverydirection.MeanwhileheseemedsofavourablydisposedthatChichikovdecidedtosoundhimthenandthere,moreespeciallysincethebutlerhadlefttheroom.
“MayIputtoyouaproblem?”heasked.
“Certainly,”repliedtheGeneral.“Whatisit?”
“Itisthis,yourExcellency.Ihaveadecrepitoldunclewhoownsthreehundredsoulsandtwothousandroubles-worthofotherproperty.Also,exceptformyself,hepossessesnotasingleheir.Now,althoughhisinfirmstateofhealthwillnotpermitofhismanaginghispropertyinperson,hewillnotallowmeeithertomanageit.
