Мертві душі
Chapter 1
Inshort,heomittednosingleofficialofnote,whileaskingalso(thoughwithanairofdetachment)themostexactparticularsconcerningthelandownersoftheneighbourhood.Whichofthem,heinquired,possessedserfs,andhowmanyofthem?Howfarfromthetowndidthoselandownersreside?Whatwasthecharacterofeachlandowner,andwasheinthehabitofpayingfrequentvisitstothetown?Thegentlemanalsomadesearchinginquiriesconcerningthehygienicconditionofthecountryside.Wasthere,heasked,muchsicknessabout—whethersporadicfever,fatalformsofague,smallpox,orwhatnot?Yet,thoughhissolicitudeconcerningthesemattersshowedmorethanordinarycuriosity,hisbearingretaineditsgravityunimpaired,andfromtimetotimeheblewhisnosewithportentousfervour.Indeed,themannerinwhichheaccomplishedthislatterfeatwasmarvellousintheextreme,for,thoughthatmemberemittedsoundsequaltothoseofatrumpetinintensity,hecouldyet,withhisaccompanyingairofguilelessdignity,evokethewaiter’sundividedrespect—somuchsothat,wheneverthesoundsofthenosereachedthatmenial’sears,hewouldshakebackhislocks,straightenhimselfintoapostureofmarkedsolicitude,andinquireafresh,withheadslightlyinclined,whetherthegentlemanhappenedtorequireanythingfurther.
