Мертві душі
Chapter 2
Next,hismindpassedimperceptiblytoothermatters,untilatlastitlostitselfGodonlyknowswhere.Hethoughtoftheamenitiesofalife,offriendship,andofhowniceitwouldbetolivewithacomradeon,say,thebankofsomeriver,andtospantheriverwithabridgeofhisown,andtobuildanenormousmansionwithafacadeloftyenougheventoaffordaviewtoMoscow.Onthatfacadeheandhiswifeandfriendwoulddrinkafternoonteaintheopenair,anddiscussinterestingsubjects;afterwhich,inafinecarriage,theywoulddrivetosomereunionorother,wherewiththeirpleasantmannerstheywouldsocharmthecompanythattheImperialGovernment,onlearningoftheirmerits,wouldraisethepairtothegradeofGeneralorGodknowswhat—thatistosay,toheightswhereofevenManilovhimselfcouldformnoidea.ThensuddenlyChichikov’sextraordinaryrequestinterruptedthedreamer’sreflections,andhefoundhisbrainpowerlesstodigestit,seeingthat,turnandturnthematteraboutashemight,hecouldnotproperlyexplainitsbearing.Smokinghispipe,hesatwherehewasuntilsuppertime.
