Мертві душі
Chapter 3
Nevertheless,thoughrelativesarerelatives,ImaysaythatIamtravellingonmyownaccountaswell,inthat,inadditiontopossiblebenefittomyhealth,Idesiretoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity,whichconstitute,sotospeak,alivingbook,asecondcourseofeducation.”
“Yes,thereisnoharminlookingatothercornersoftheworldbesidesone’sown.”
“Youspeaktruly.ThereISnoharminsuchaproceeding.Therebyonemayseethingswhichonehasnotbeforeencountered,onemaymeetmenwithwhomonehasnotbeforecomeincontact.Andwithsomemenofthatkindaconversationisaspreciousabenefitashasbeenconferreduponmebythepresentoccasion.Icometoyou,mostworthyConstantineThedorovitch,forinstruction,andagainforinstruction,andbegofyoutoassuagemythirstwithanexpositionofthetruthasitis.Ihungerforthefavourofyourwordsasformanna.”
“Buthowso?WhatcanIteachyou?”exclaimedKostanzhogloinconfusion.“Imyselfwasgivenbuttheplainestofeducations.”
“Nay,mostworthysir,youpossesswisdom,andagainwisdom.Wisdomonlycandirectthemanagementofagreatestate,thatcanderiveasoundincomefromthesame,thatcanacquirewealthofareal,notafictitious,orderwhilealsofulfillingthedutiesofacitizenandtherebyearningtherespectoftheRussianpublic.AllthisIprayyoutoteachme.”
“Itellyouwhat,”saidKostanzhoglo,lookingmeditativelyathisguest.“Youhadbetterstaywithmeforafewdays,andduringthattimeIcanshowyouhowthingsaremanagedhere,andexplaintoyoueverything.
