Мертві душі
Chapter 3
Andofthateveningone’sremembrancewillholdtrue,bothastowhowaspresent,andwhereeachsuchpersonsat,andwhatheorshewaswearing,andwhatthewallsandthestoveandothertriflingfeaturesoftheroomlookedlike.
InthesamewaydidChichikovnoteeachdetailthatevening—boththeappointmentsoftheagreeable,butnotluxuriouslyfurnished,room,andthegood-humouredexpressionwhichreignedonthefaceofthethoughtfulhost,andthedesignofthecurtains,andtheamber-mountedpipesmokedbyPlaton,andthewayinwhichhekeptpuffingsmokeintothefatjowlofthedogYarb,andthesneezewhich,oneachsuchoccasion,Yarbvented,andthelaughterofthepleasant-facedhostess(thoughalwaysfollowedbythewords“Praydonotteasehimanymore”)andthecheerfulcandle-light,andthecricketchirpinginacorner,andtheglassdoor,andthespringnightwhich,layingitselbowsuponthetree-tops,andspangledwithstars,andvocalwiththenightingaleswhichwerepouringforthwarbleddittiesfromtherecessesofthefoliage,keptglancingthroughthedoor,andregardingthecompanywithin.
“Howitdelightsmetohearyourwords,goodConstantineThedorovitch!”saidChichikov.“Indeed,nowhereinRussiahaveImetwithamanofequalintellect.”
Kostanzhoglosmiled,whilerealisingthatthecomplimentwasscarcelydeserved.
“IfyouwantamanofGENUINEintellect,”hesaid,“Icantellyouofone.Heisamanwhosebootsolesareworthmorethanmywholebody.”
“Whomayhebe?”askedChichikovinastonishment.
“Murazov,ourlocalCommissionerofTaxes.
