Мертві душі
Chapter 4
AndwithsuchclearnessdidChichikovmentallypicturetohimselfthelifeofgratefultoilwhichliesremovedfromthebustleoftownsandthetemptationswhichman,forgetfuloftheobligationoflabour,hasinventedtobeguileanhourofidlenessthatalmostourheroforgothisunpleasantposition,andevenfeltreadytothankProvidenceforthecalamitywhichhadbefallenhim,providedthatitshouldendinhisbeingreleased,andinhisreceivingbackaportionofhisproperty.
PresentlythemassivedoorofthecellopenedtoadmitatchinovniknamedSamosvitov,arobust,sensualindividualwhowasreputedbyhiscomradestobesomethingofarake.Hadheservedinthearmy,hewouldhavedonewonders,forhewouldhavestormedanypoint,howeverdangerousandinaccessible,andcapturedcannonundertheverynosesofthefoe;but,asitwas,thelackofamorewarlikefieldforhisenergiescausedhimtodevotethelatterprincipallytodissipation.Neverthelessheenjoyedgreatpopularity,forhewasloyaltothepointthat,oncehiswordhadbeengiven,nothingwouldevermakehimbreakit.Atthesametime,somereasonoranotherledhimtoregardhissuperiorsinthelightofahostilebatterywhich,comewhatmight,hemustbreachatanyweakorunguardedspotorgapwhichmightbecapableofbeingutilisedforthepurpose.
“Wehaveallheardofyourplight,”hebeganassoonasthedoorhadbeensafelyclosedbehindhim.“Yes,everyonehasheardofit.Butnevermind.Thingswillyetcomeright.Wewilldoourverybestforyou,andactasyourhumbleservantsineverything.
