Мертві душі
Chapter 3
Iknowthatverywell,andshouldneverdreamofsuchconduct.”
Herehestartedtoturnthevehicleroundalittle—andkeptondoingsountilthebritchkacapsizedontoitsside,andChichikovlandedinthemudonhishandsandknees.FortunatelySelifansucceededinstoppingthehorses,althoughtheywouldhavestoppedofthemselves,seeingthattheywereutterlywornout.Thisunforeseencatastropheevidentlyastonishedtheirdriver.Slippingfromthebox,hestoodrestinghishandsagainstthesideofthebritchka,whileChichikovtumbledandflounderedaboutinthemud,inavainendeavourtowriggleclearofthestuff.
“Ah,you!”saidSelifanmeditativelytothebritchka.“Tothinkofupsettinguslikethis!”
“Youareasdrunkasalord!”exclaimedChichikov.
“No,no,barin.Drunk,indeed?Why,Iknowmymannerstoowell.Awordortwowithafriend—thatisallthatIhavetaken.Anyonemaytalkwithadecentmanwhenhemeetshim.Thereisnothingwronginthat.Also,wehadasnacktogether.Thereisnothingwronginasnack—especiallyasnackwithadecentman.”
“WhatdidIsaytoyouwhenlastyougotdrunk?”askedChichikov.“HaveyouforgottenwhatIsaidthen?”
“No,no,barin.HOWcouldIforgetit?Iknowwhatiswhat,andknowthatitisnotrighttogetdrunk.AllthatIhavebeenhavingisawordortwowithadecentman,forthereasonthat—”
“Well,ifIlaythewhipaboutyou,you’llknowthenhowtotalktoadecentfellow,I’llwarrant!”
“Asyouplease,barin,”repliedthecomplacentSelifan.
