Мертві душі
Chapter 3
NeverthelessthementionofGovernmentcontractsexercisedapowerfulinfluenceuponNastasiaPetrovna,andshehastenedtosayinatonethatwasalmostsupplicatory:
“Whyshouldyoubesoangrywithme?HadIknownthatyouweregoingtoloseyourtemperinthisway,Ishouldneverhavediscussedthematter.”
“NowonderthatIlosemytemper!Aneggtoomanyisnogreatmatter,yetitmayproveexceedinglyannoying.”
“Well,well,Iwillletyouhavethesoulsforfifteenroubleseach.Also,withregardtothosecontracts,donotforgetmeifatanytimeyoushouldfindyourselfinneedofrye-mealorbuckwheatorgroatsordeadmeat.”
“No,IshallNEVERforgetyou,madam!”hesaid,wipinghisforehead,wherethreeseparatestreamsofperspirationweretricklingdownhisface.Thenheaskedherwhetherinthetownshehadanyacquaintanceoragentwhomshecouldempowertocompletethetransferenceoftheserfs,andtocarryoutwhatsoeverelsemightbenecessary.
“Certainly,”repliedMadameKorobotchka.“Thesonofourarchpriest,FatherCyril,himselfisalawyer.”
UponthatChichikovbeggedhertoaccordthegentlemaninquestionapowerofattorney,while,tosaveextratrouble,hehimselfwouldthenandtherecomposetherequisiteletter.
“ItwouldbeafinethingifheweretobuyupallmymealandstockfortheGovernment,”thoughtMadametoherself.“Imustencouragehimalittle.Therehasbeensomedoughstandingreadysincelastnight,soIwillgoandtellFetiniatotryafewpancakes.Also,itmightbewelltotryhimwithaneggpie.
