Мертві душі
Chapter 3
Tothezakuskisucceededthemealitself,andthehostbecameaperfectgluttononhisguests’behalf.Shouldhenoticethataguesthadtakenbutasinglepieceofacomestible,headdedtheretoanotherone,saying:“Withoutamate,neithermannorbirdcanliveinthisworld.”Shouldanyonetaketwopieces,headdedtheretoathird,saying:“Whatisthegoodofthenumber2?Godlovesatrinity.”Shouldanyonetakethreepieces,hewouldsay:“Wheredoyouseeawaggonwiththreewheels?Whobuildsathree-corneredhut?”Lastly,shouldanyonetakefourpieces,hewouldcapthemwithafifth,andaddtheretothepunningquip,“Napiatopiat45”.Afterdevouringatleasttwelvesteaksofsturgeon,Chichikovventuredtothinktohimself,“MyhostcannotpossiblyaddtoTHEM,”butfoundthathewasmistaken,for,withoutaword,Pietukhheapeduponhisplateanenormousportionofspit-roastedveal,andalsosomekidneys.Andwhatvealitwas!
“Thatcalfwasfedtwoyearsonmilk,”heexplained.“Icaredforitlikemyownson.”
“NeverthelessIcaneatnomore,”saidChichikov.
“Doyoutrythevealbeforeyousaythatyoucaneatnomore.”
“ButIcouldnotgetitdownmythroat.Thereisnoroomleft.”
“Iftherebenoroominachurchforanewcomer,thebeadleissentfor,androomisverysoonmade—yes,eventhoughbeforetherewassuchacrushthatanapplecouldn’thavebeendroppedbetweenthepeople.Doyoutrytheveal,Isay.Thatpieceisthetitbitofall.
