Мертві душі
Chapter 3
PressingChichikov’shandintokenofgratitudefortheinformationwhichtheguesthadfurnished,hetookpaperandpen,andnotedeightsearchingquestionsunderthreeseparateheadings:(1)“WhyhastheCommitteeofManagementpresumedtoissueorderstoofficialsnotunderitsjurisdiction?”(2)“WhyhastheChiefManagerpermittedhispredecessor,thoughstillinretentionofhispost,tofollowhimtoanotherDepartment?”and(3)“WhyhastheCommitteeofEstateAffairssufferedtheOfficefortheReceptionofReportsandReturnstolapse?”
“Nowforarow!”thoughtChichikovtohimself,andturnedtodepart;buthishoststoppedhim,saying:
“Icannotletyougo,for,inadditiontomyhonourhavingbecomeinvolved,itbehovesmetoshowmypeoplehowtheregular,theorganised,administrationofanestatemaybeconducted.HerewithIwillhandovertheconductofyouraffairtoamanwhoisworthalltherestofthestaffputtogether,andhashadauniversityeducation.Also,thebettertolosenotime,mayIhumblybegyoutostepintomylibrary,whereyouwillfindnotebooks,paper,pens,andeverythingelsethatyoumayrequire.Ofthesearticlespraymakefulluse,foryouareagentlemanofletters,anditisyourandmyjointdutytobringenlightenmenttoall.”
Sosaying,heusheredhisguestintoalargeroomlinedfromfloortoceilingwithbooksandstuffedspecimens.
