Мертві душі
Chapter 4
“Withinmydoorsyouwillfindalargevarietyofclothing.”
“Haveyouaclothofbilberry-colouredcheck?”inquiredthepersonaddressed.
“Ihaveclothsofthefinestkind,”repliedthetradesman,raisinghiscapwithonehand,andpointingtohisshopwiththeother.Chichikoventered,andinatricetheproprietorhaddivedbeneaththecounter,andappearedontheothersideofit,withhisbacktohiswaresandhisfacetowardsthecustomer.Leaningforwardonthetipsofhisfingers,andindicatinghismerchandisewithjustthesuspicionofanod,herequestedthegentlemantospecifyexactlythespeciesofclothwhichherequired.
“Aclothwithanolive-colouredorabottle-tintedspotinitspattern—anythinginthenatureofbilberry,”explainedChichikov.
“Thatbeingso,sir,ImaysaythatIamabouttoshowyouclothesofaqualitywhichevenourillustriouscapitalscouldnotsurpass.Hi,boy!Reachdownthatrollupthere—number34.No,NOTthatone,fool!Suchfellowsasyouarealwaystoogoodforyourjob.There—handittome.Thisisindeedanicepattern!”
Unfoldingthegarment,thetradesmanthrustitclosetoChichikov’snoseinorderthathemightnotonlyhandle,butalsosmellit.
“Excellent,butnotwhatIwant,”pronouncedChichikov.“FormerlyIwasintheCustom’sDepartment,andthereforewearnonebutclothofthelatestmake.WhatIwantisofaruddierpatternthanthis—notexactlyabottle-tintedpattern,butsomethingapproachingbilberry.”
“Iunderstand,sir.Ofcourseyourequireonlytheverynewestthing.
