Мертві душі
Chapter 3
”
“Yes,but,pardonme,Istillfailtounderstandwhyyoushouldfindlifewearisome.Therearesomanyresourcesagainstennui!”
“Asforinstance?”
“Forayoungman,dancing,theplayingofoneoranothermusicalinstrument,and—well,yes,marriage.”
“Marriagetowhom?”
“Tosomemaidenwhoisbothcharmingandrich.Aretherenoneintheseparts?”
“No.”
“Then,wereIyou,Ishouldtravel,andseekamaidenelsewhere.”AndabrilliantideatherewithenteredChichikov’shead.“Thislastresource,”headded,“isthebestofallresourcesagainstennui.”
“Whatresourceareyouspeakingof?”
“Oftravel.”
“Butwhither?”
“Well,shoulditsopleaseyou,youmightjoinmeasmycompanion.”Thissaid,thespeakeraddedtohimselfasheeyedPlaton:“Yes,thatwouldsuitmeexactly,forthenIshouldhavehalfmyexpensespaid,andcouldchargehimalsowiththecostofmendingthekoliaska.”
“Andwhithershouldwego?”
“InthatrespectIamnotwhollymyownmaster,asIhavebusinesstodoforothersaswellasformyself.Forinstance,GeneralBetristchev—anintimatefriendand,Imightadd,agenerousbenefactorofmine—haschargedmewithcommissionstocertainofhisrelatives.However,thoughrelativesarerelatives,Iamtravellinglikewiseonmyownaccount,sinceIwishtoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity—which,inspiteofwhatpeoplemaysay,isasgoodasalivingbookorasecondeducation.”Asamatteroffact,Chichikovwasreflecting,“Yes,theplanisanexcellentone.
