Мертві душі
Chapter 3
ChichikovfoundtheColonelpostedbehindadeskandholdingapenbetweenhisteeth.Withoutaninstant’sdelaythemasteroftheestablishment—whoseemedakindly,approachableman,andaccordedtohisvisitoraverycivilwelcome—plungedintoarecitalofthelabourwhichithadcosthimtobringthepropertytoitspresentconditionofaffluence.Thenhewentontolamentthefactthathecouldnotmakehispeasantryunderstandtheincentivestolabourwhichtherichesofscienceandartprovide;forinstance,hehadfailedtoinducehisfemaleserfstowearcorsets,whereasinGermany,wherehehadresidedforfourteenyears,everyhumblemiller’sdaughtercouldplaythepiano.Nonetheless,hesaid,hemeanttopegawayuntileverypeasantontheestateshould,ashewalkedbehindtheplough,indulgeinaregularcourseofreadingFranklin’sNotesonElectricity,Virgil’sGeorgics,orsomeworkonthechemicalpropertiesofsoil.
“Goodgracious!”mentallyexclaimedChichikov.“Why,ImyselfhavenothadtimetofinishthatbookbytheDuchessedelaValliere!”
MuchelsetheColonelsaid.Inparticulardidheaverthat,providedtheRussianpeasantcouldbeinducedtoarrayhimselfinGermancostume,sciencewouldprogress,tradeincrease,andtheGoldenAgedawninRussia.
ForawhileChichikovlistenedwithdistendedeyes.Thenhefeltconstrainedtointimatethatwithallthathehadnothingtodo,seeingthathisbusinesswasmerelytoacquireafewsouls,andthereaftertohavetheirpurchaseconfirmed.
