Мертві душі
Chapter 3
NeverthelesstheColonelpursuedhisguesttothegates,andpressedhishandwarmlyashethankedhimforhavingenabledhim(theColonel)thustoexhibitinoperationthepropermanagementofanestate.Also,hebeggedtostatethat,underthecircumstances,itwasabsolutelynecessarytokeepthingsmovingandcirculating,since,otherwise,slacknesswasapttosupervene,andtheworkingofthemachinetogrowrustyandfeeble;butthat,inspiteofall,thepresentoccasionhadinspiredhimwithahappyidea—namely,theideaofinstitutingaCommitteewhichshouldbeentitled“TheCommitteeofSupervisionoftheCommitteeofManagement,”andwhichshouldhaveforitsfunctionthedetectionofbackslidersamongthebodyfirstmentioned.
Itwaslatewhen,tiredanddissatisfied,ChichikovregainedKostanzhoglo’smansion.Indeed,thecandleshadlongbeenlit.
“Whathasdelayedyou?”askedthemasterofthehouseasChichikoventeredthedrawing-room.
“Yes,whathaskeptyouandtheColonelsolonginconversationtogether?”addedPlaton.
“This—thefactthatneverinmylifehaveIcomeacrosssuchanimbecile,”wasChichikov’sreply.
“Nevermind,”saidKostanzhoglo.“Koshkarevisamostreassuringphenomenon.Heisnecessaryinthatinhimweseeexpressedincaricatureallthemorecryingfolliesofourintellectuals—oftheintellectualswho,withoutfirsttroublingtomakethemselvesacquaintedwiththeirowncountry,borrowsillinessfromabroad.Yetthatishowcertainofourlandownersarenowcarryingon.
