Мертві душі
Chapter 3
”
UponthisChichikovlostallpatience,upsethischair,andbidhergotothedevil;ofwhichpersonageeventhemerementionterrifiedherextremely.
“Donotspeakofhim,Ibegofyou!”shecried,turningpale.“MayGod,rather,blesshim!Lastnightwasthethirdnightthathehasappearedtomeinadream.Yousee,aftersayingmyprayers,Ibethoughtmeoftellingmyfortunebythecards;andGodmusthavesenthimasapunishment.Helookedsohorrible,andhadhornslongerthanabull’s!”
“Iwonderyoudon’tseeSCORESofdevilsinyourdreams!MerelyoutofChristiancharityhehadcometoyoutosay,‘Iperceiveapoorwidowgoingtorackandruin,andlikelysoontostandindangerofwant.’Well,gotorackandruin—yes,youandallyourvillagetogether!”
“Theinsults!”exclaimedtheoldwoman,glancingathervisitorinterror.
“Ishouldthinkso!”continuedChichikov.“Indeed,Icannotfindwordstodescribeyou.Tosaynomoreaboutit,youarelikeadoginamanger.Youdon’twanttoeatthehayyourself,yetyouwon’tletanyoneelsetouchit.AllthatIamseekingtodoistopurchasecertaindomesticproductsofyours,forthereasonthatIhavecertainGovernmentcontractstofulfil.”Thislastheaddedinpassing,andwithoutanyulteriormotive,savethatitcametohimasahappythought.
