Мертві душі
Chapter 2
“Andtoyou,Alkid,Iwillbringadrum.Thatwouldsuityou,woulditnot?”AndhebowedinAlkid’sdirection.
“Zeth—adrum,”lispedtheboy,hanginghishead.
“Good!Thenadrumitshallbe—SUCHabeautifuldrum!Whatatur-r-r-ru-ingandatra-ta-ta-ta-ingyouwillbeabletokickup!Farewell,mydarling.”And,kissingtheboy’shead,heturnedtoManilovandMadamewiththeslightsmilewhichoneassumesbeforeassuringparentsoftheguilelessmeritsoftheiroffspring.
“Butyouhadbetterstay,PaulIvanovitch,”saidthefatherasthetriosteppedoutontotheverandah.“Seehowthecloudsaregathering!”
“Theyareonlysmallones,”repliedChichikov.
“AndyouknowyourwaytoSobakevitch’s?”
“No,Idonot,andshouldbegladifyouwoulddirectme.”
“IfyoulikeIwilltellyourcoachman.”AndinverycivilfashionManilovdidso,evengoingsofarastoaddressthemaninthesecondpersonplural.Onhearingthathewastopasstwoturnings,andthentotakeathird,Selifanremarked,“Weshallgetthereallright,sir,”andChichikovdepartedamidaprofoundsalvoofsalutationsandwavingsofhandkerchiefsonthepartofhishostandhostess,whoraisedthemselvesontiptoeintheirenthusiasm.
ForalongwhileManilovstoodfollowingthedepartingbritchkawithhiseyes.Infact,hecontinuedtosmokehispipeandgazeafterthevehicleevenwhenithadbecomelosttoview.Thenhere-enteredthedrawing-room,seatedhimselfuponachair,andsurrenderedhismindtothethoughtthathehadshownhisguestmostexcellententertainment
