Мертві душі
Chapter 3
”NorwereEnglishifiedgardensandparterresandotherconceitsinevidence,but,onthecontrary,thererananopenviewfromthemanorhousetothefarmbuildingsandtheworkmen’scots,sothat,aftertheoldRussianfashion,thebarinshouldbeabletokeepaneyeuponallthatwasgoingonaroundhim.Forthesamepurpose,themansionwastoppedwithatalllanternandasuperstructure—adevicedesigned,notforornament,norforavantage-spotforthecontemplationoftheview,butforsupervisionofthelabourersengagedindistantfields.Lastly,thebrisk,activeservantswhoreceivedthevisitorsontheverandahwereverydifferentmenialsfromthedrunkenPetrushka,eventhoughtheydidnotwearswallow-tailedcoats,butonlyCossacktchekmenu47ofbluehomespuncloth.
Theladyofthehousealsoissuedontotheverandah.Withherfaceofthefreshnessof“bloodandmilk”andthebrightnessofGod’sdaylight,sheasnearlyresembledPlatonasonepearesemblesanother,savethat,whereashewaslanguid,shewascheerfulandfulloftalk.
“Goodday,brother!”shecried.“HowgladIamtoseeyou!Constantineisnotathome,butwillbebackpresently.”
“Whereishe?”
“Doingbusinessinthevillagewithapartyoffactors,”repliedtheladyassheconductedhergueststothedrawing-room.
