第5章

ChichikovplacedthenotesinSobakevitch"shand；whereuponthehostmovednearertothetable，andaddedtothelistofserfsanotethathehadreceivedforthepeasants，therewithsold，thesumoftwenty-fiveroubles，asearnestmoney。Thisdone，hecountedthenotesoncemore。

“ThisisaveryOLDnote，“heremarked，holdingoneuptothelight。

“Also，itisatrifletorn。However，inafriendlytransactiononemustnotbetooparticular。“

“Whatakulak！”thoughtChichikovtohimself。“Andwhatabrutebeast！”

“ThenyoudonotwantanyWOMENsouls？”queriedSobakevitch。

“Ithankyou，no。“

“Icouldletyouhavesomecheap——say，asbetweenfriends，ataroubleahead？”

“No，Ishouldhavenouseforthem。“

“Then，thatbeingso，thereisnomoretobesaid。Thereisnoaccountingfortastes。"Onemanlovesthepriest，andanotherthepriest"swife，"saystheproverb。“

Chichikovrosetotakehisleave。“OncemoreIwouldrequestofyou，“

hesaid，“thatthebargainbeleftasitis。“

“Ofcourse，ofcourse。Whatisdonebetweenfriendsholdsgoodbecauseoftheirmutualfriendship。Good-bye，andthankyouforyourvisit。InadvanceIwouldbegthat，wheneveryoushouldhaveanhourortwotospare，youwillcomeandlunchwithusagain。Perhapswemightbeabletodooneanotherfurtherservice？”

“NotifIknowit！”reflectedChichikovashemountedhisbritchka。

“NotI，seeingthatIhavehadtwoandahalfroublespersoulsqueezedoutofmebyabruteofakulak！”

AltogetherhefeltdissatisfiedwithSobakevitch"sbehaviour。InspiteofthemanbeingafriendoftheGovernorandtheChiefofPolice，hehadactedlikeanoutsiderintakingmoneyforwhatwasworthlessrubbish。AsthebritchkaleftthecourtyardChichikovglancedbackandsawSobakevitchstillstandingontheverandah——apparentlyforthepurposeofwatchingtoseewhichwaytheguest"scarriagewouldturn。

“Theoldvillain，tobestillstandingthere！”mutteredChichikovthroughhisteeth；afterwhichheorderedSelifantoproceedsothatthevehicle"sprogressshouldbeinvisiblefromthemansion——thetruthbeingthathehadamindnexttovisitPlushkin(whoseserfs，toquoteSobakevitch，hadahabitofdyinglikeflies)，butnottolethislatehostlearnofhisintention。Accordingly，onreachingthefurtherendofthevillage，hehailedthefirstpeasantwhomhesaw——amanwhowasintheactofhoistingaponderousbeamontohisshoulderbeforesettingoffwithit，ant-like，tohishut。

“Hi！”shoutedChichikov。“HowcanIreachlandownerPlushkin"splacewithoutfirstgoingpastthemansionhere？”

Thepeasantseemednonplussedbythequestion。

“Don"tyouknow？”queriedChichikov。

“No，barin，“repliedthepeasant。

“What？Youdon"tknowskinflintPlushkinwhofeedshispeoplesobadly？”

“OfcourseIdo！”exclaimedthefellow，andaddedtheretoanuncomplimentaryexpressionofaspeciesnotordinarilyemployedinpolitesociety。Wemayguessthatitwasaprettyaptexpression，sincelongafterthemanhadbecomelosttoviewChichikovwasstilllaughinginhisbritchka。And，indeed，thelanguageoftheRussianpopulaceisalwaysforcibleinitsphraseology。

CHAPTERVI

Chichikov"samusementatthepeasant"soutburstpreventedhimfromnoticingthathehadreachedthecentreofalargeandpopulousvillage；but，presently，aviolentjoltarousedhimtothefactthathewasdrivingoverwoodenpavementsofakindcomparedwithwhichthecobblestonesofthetownhadbeenasnothing。Likethekeysofapiano，theplankskeptrisingandfalling，andunguardedpassageoverthementailedeitherabumponthebackoftheneckorabruiseontheforeheadorabiteonthetipofone"stongue。AtthesametimeChichikovnoticedalookofdecayaboutthebuildingsofthevillage。

Thebeamsofthehutshadgrowndarkwithage，manyoftheirroofswereriddledwithholes，othershadbutatileoftheroofremaining，andyetotherswerereducedtotherib-likeframeworkofthesame。Itwouldseemasthoughtheinhabitantsthemselveshadremovedthelathsandtraverses，ontheverynaturalpleathatthehutswerenoprotectionagainsttherain，andtherefore，sincethelatterenteredinbucketfuls，therewasnoparticularobjecttobegainedbysittinginsuchhutswhenallthetimetherewasthetavernandthehighroadandotherplacestoresortto。

Suddenlyawomanappearedfromanoutbuilding——apparentlythehousekeeperofthemansion，butsoroughlyanddirtilydressedasalmosttoseemindistinguishablefromaman。Chichikovinquiredforthemasteroftheplace。

“Heisnotathome，“shereplied，almostbeforeherinterlocutorhadhadtimetofinish。Thensheadded：“Whatdoyouwantwithhim？”

“Ihavesomebusinesstodo，“saidChichikov。

“Thenpraywalkintothehouse，“thewomanadvised。Thensheturneduponhimabackthatwassmearedwithflourandhadalongslitinthelowerportionofitscovering。Enteringalarge，darkhallwhichreekedlikeatomb，hepassedintoanequallydarkparlourthatwaslightedonlybysuchraysascontrivedtofilterthroughacrackunderthedoor。WhenChichikovopenedthedoorinquestion，thespectacleoftheuntidinesswithinstruckhimalmostwithamazement。Itwouldseemthatthefloorwasneverwashed，andthattheroomwasusedasareceptacleforeveryconceivablekindoffurniture。Onatablestoodaraggedchair，with，besideit，aclockminusapendulumandcoveredalloverwithcobwebs。Againstawallleantacupboard，fullofoldsilver，glassware，andchina。Onawritingtable，inlaidwithmother-of-pearlwhich，inplaces，hadbrokenawayandleftbehinditanumberofyellowgrooves(stuffedwithputty)，layapileoffinelywrittenmanuscript，anoverturnedmarblepress(turninggreen)，anancientbookinaleathercoverwithrededges，alemondriedandshrunkentothedimensionsofahazelnut，thebrokenarmofachair，atumblercontainingthedregsofsomeliquidandthreeflies(thewholecoveredoverwithasheetofnotepaper)，apileofrags，twoink-encrustedpens，andayellowtoothpickwithwhichthemasterofthehousehadpickedhisteeth(apparently)atleastbeforethecomingoftheFrenchtoMoscow。Asforthewalls，theywerehungwithamedleyofpictures。Amongthelatterwasalongengravingofabattlescene，whereinsoldiersinthree-corneredhatswerebrandishinghugedrumsandslenderlances。Itlackedaglass，andwassetinaframeornamentedwithbronzefretworkandbronzecornerrings。Besideithungahuge，grimyoilpaintingrepresentativeofsomeflowersandfruit，halfawatermelon，aboar"shead，andthependentformofadeadwildduck。Attachedtotheceilingtherewasachandelierinahollandcovering——thecoveringsodustyascloselytoresembleahugecocoonenclosingacaterpillar。Lastly，inonecorneroftheroomlayapileofarticleswhichhadevidentlybeenadjudgedunworthyofaplaceonthetable。Yetwhatthepileconsistedofitwouldhavebeendifficulttosay，seeingthatthedustonthesamewassothickthatanyhandwhichtoucheditwouldhaveatonceresembledaglove。

Prominentlyprotrudingfromthepilewastheshaftofawoodenspadeandtheantiquatedsoleofashoe。Neverwouldonehavesupposedthatalivingcreaturehadtenantedtheroom，wereitnotthatthepresenceofsuchacreaturewasbetrayedbythespectacleofanoldnightcaprestingonthetable。

WhilstChichikovwasgazingatthisextraordinarymess，asidedooropenedandthereenteredthehousekeeperwhohadmethimneartheoutbuildings。ButnowChichikovperceivedthispersontobeamanratherthanawoman，sinceafemalehousekeeperwouldhavehadnobeardtoshave，whereasthechinofthenewcomer，withthelowerportionofhischeeks，stronglyresembledthecurry-combwhichisusedforgroominghorses。Chichikovassumedaquestioningair，andwaitedtohearwhatthehousekeepermighthavetosay。Thehousekeeperdidthesame。Atlength，surprisedatthemisunderstanding，Chichikovdecidedtoaskthefirstquestion。

“Isthemasterathome？”heinquired。

“Yes，“repliedthepersonaddressed。

“Thenwereishe？”continuedChichikov。

“Areyoublind，mygoodsir？”retortedtheother。“_I_amthemaster。“

Involuntarilyourherostartedandstared。Duringhistravelsithadbefallenhimtomeetvarioustypesofmen——someofthem，itmaybe，typeswhichyouandIhaveneverencountered；buteventoChichikovthisparticularspecieswasnew。Intheoldman"sfacetherewasnothingveryspecial——itwasmuchlikethewizenedfaceofmanyanotherdotard，savethatthechinwassogreatlyprojectedthatwheneverhespokehewasforcedtowipeitwithahandkerchieftoavoiddribbling，andthathissmalleyeswerenotyetgrowndull，buttwinkledundertheiroverhangingbrowsliketheeyesofmicewhen，withattentiveearsandsensitivewhiskers，theysnufftheairandpeerforthfromtheirholestoseewhetheracatoraboymaynotbeinthevicinity。No，themostnoticeablefeatureaboutthemanwashisclothes。Innowaycouldithavebeenguessedofwhathiscoatwasmade，forbothitssleevesanditsskirtsweresoraggedandfilthyastodefydescription，whileinsteadoftwoposteriortails，theredangledfourofthoseappendages，with，projectingfromthem，atornnewspaper。Also，aroundhisnecktherewaswrappedsomethingwhichmighthavebeenastocking，agarter，orastomacher，butwascertainlynotatie。Inshort，hadChichikovchancedtoencounterhimatachurchdoor，hewouldhavebestoweduponhimacopperortwo(for，todoourherojustice，hehadasympatheticheartandneverrefrainedfrompresentingabeggarwithalms)，butinthepresentcasetherewasstandingbeforehim，notamendicant，butalandowner——andalandownerpossessedoffullyathousandserfs，thesuperiorofallhisneighboursinwealthofflourandgrain，andtheownerofstorehouses，andsoforth，thatwerecrammedwithhomespunclothandlinen，tannedandundressedsheepskins，driedfish，andeveryconceivablespeciesofproduce。Nevertheless，suchaphenomenonisrareinRussia，wherethetendencyisrathertoprodigalitythantoparsimony。

ForseveralminutesPlushkinstoodmute，whileChichikovremainedsodazedwiththeappearanceofthehostandeverythingelseintheroom，thathetoo，couldnotbeginaconversation，butstoodwonderinghowbesttofindwordsinwhichtoexplaintheobjectofhisvisit。Forawhilehethoughtofexpressinghimselftotheeffectthat，havingheardsomuchofhishost"sbenevolenceandotherrarequalitiesofspirit，hehadconsideredithisdutytocomeandpayatributeofrespect；butpresentlyevenHEcametotheconclusionthatthiswouldbeoverdoingthething，and，afteranotherglanceroundtheroom，decidedthatthephrase“benevolenceandotherrarequalitiesofspirit“mighttoadvantagegiveplaceto“economyandgeniusformethod。“Accordingly，thespeechmentallycomposed，hesaidaloudthat，havingheardofPlushkin"stalentsforthriftyandsystematicmanagement，hehadconsideredhimselfboundtomaketheacquaintanceofhishost，andtopresenthimwithhispersonalcompliments(IneedhardlysaythatChichikovcouldeasilyhaveallegedabetterreason，hadanybetteronehappened，atthemoment，tohavecomeintohishead)。

WithtoothlessgumsPlushkinmurmuredsomethinginreply，butnothingisknownastoitsprecisetermsbeyondthatitincludedastatementthatthedevilwasatlibertytoflyawaywithChichikov"ssentiments。

However，thelawsofRussianhospitalitydonotpermitevenofamiserinfringingtheirrules；whereforePlushkinaddedtotheforegoingamorecivilinvitationtobeseated。

“ItislongsinceIlastreceivedavisitor，“hewenton。“Also，I

feelboundtosaythatIcanseelittlegoodintheircoming。Onceintroducetheabominablecustomoffolkpayingcalls，andforthwiththerewillensuesuchruintothemanagementofestatesthatlandownerswillbeforcedtofeedtheirhorsesonhay。Notforalong，longtimehaveIeatenamealawayfromhome——althoughmyownkitchenisapoorone，andhasitschimneyinsuchastatethat，wereittobecomeoverheated，itwouldinstantlycatchfire。“

“Whatabrute！”thoughtChichikov。“IamluckytohavegotthroughsomuchpastryandstuffedshoulderofmuttonatSobakevitch"s！”

“Also，“wentonPlushkin，“Iamashamedtosaythathardlyawispoffodderdoestheplacecontain。ButhowcanIgetfodder？Mylandsaresmall，andthepeasantrylazyfellowswhohateworkandthinkofnothingbutthetavern。Intheend，therefore，Ishallbeforcedtogoandspendmyoldageinroamingabouttheworld。“

“ButIhavebeentoldthatyoupossessoverathousandserfs？”saidChichikov。

“Whotoldyouthat？Nomatterwhoitwas，youwouldhavebeenjustifiedingivinghimthelie。Hemusthavebeenajesterwhowantedtomakeafoolofyou。Athousandsouls，indeed！Why，justreckonthetaxesonthem，andseewhattherewouldbeleft！Forthesethreeyearsthataccursedfeverhasbeenkillingoffmyserfswholesale。“

“Wholesale，yousay？”echoedChichikov，greatlyinterested。

“Yes，wholesale，“repliedtheoldman。

“ThenmightIaskyoutheexactnumber？”

“Fullyeighty。“

“Surelynot？”

“Butitisso。“

“ThenmightIalsoaskwhetheritisfromthedateofthelastcensusrevisionthatyouarereckoningthesesouls？”

“Yes，damnit！AndsincethatdateIhavebeenbledfortaxesuponahundredandtwentysoulsinall。“

“Indeed？Uponahundredandtwentysoulsinall！”AndChichikov"ssurpriseandelationweresuchthat，thissaid，heremainedsittingopen-mouthed。

“Yes，goodsir，“repliedPlushkin。“Iamtoooldtotellyoulies，forIhavepassedmyseventiethyear。“

SomehowheseemedtohavetakenoffenceatChichikov"salmostjoyousexclamation；whereforetheguesthastenedtoheaveaprofoundsigh，andtoobservethathesympathisedtothefullwithhishost"smisfortunes。

“Butsympathydoesnotputanythingintoone"spocket，“retortedPlushkin。“Forinstance，Ihaveakinsmanwhoisconstantlyplaguingme。Heisacaptaininthearmy，damnhim，andalldayhedoesnothingbutcallme"dearuncle，"andkissmyhand，andexpresssympathyuntilIamforcedtostopmyears。Yousee，hehassquanderedallhismoneyuponhisbrother-officers，aswellasmadeafoolofhimselfwithanactress；sonowhespendshistimeintellingmethathehasasympatheticheart！”

ChichikovhastenedtoexplainthatHISsympathyhadnothingincommonwiththecaptain"s，sincehedealt，notinemptywordsalone，butinactualdeeds；inproofofwhichhewasreadythenandthere(forthepurposeofcuttingthemattershort，andofdispensingwithcircumlocution)totransfertohimselftheobligationofpayingthetaxesdueuponsuchserfsasPlushkin"sashad，intheunfortunatemannerjustdescribed，departedthisworld。TheproposalseemedtoastonishPlushkin，forhesatstaringopen-eyed。Atlengthheinquired：

“Mydearsir，haveyouseenmilitaryservice？”

“No，“repliedtheotherwarily，“butIhavebeenamemberoftheCIVILService。“

“Oh！OftheCIVILService？”AndPlushkinsatmovinghislipsasthoughhewerechewingsomething。“Well，whatofyourproposal？”headdedpresently。“Areyoupreparedtolosebyit？”

“Yes，certainly，iftherebyIcanpleaseyou。“

“Mydearsir！Mygoodbenefactor！”InhisdelightPlushkinlostsightofthefactthathisnosewascakedwithsnuffoftheconsistencyofthickcoffee，andthathiscoathadpartedinfrontandwasdisclosingsomeveryunseemlyunderclothing。“Whatcomfortyouhavebroughttoanoldman！Yes，asGodismywitness！”

Forthemomenthecouldsaynomore。Yetbarelyaminutehadelapsedbeforethisinstantaneouslyarousedemotionhad，asinstantaneously，disappearedfromhiswoodenfeatures。Oncemoretheyassumedacarewornexpression，andheevenwipedhisfacewithhishandkerchief，thenrolleditintoaball，andrubbedittoandfroagainsthisupperlip。

“Ifitwillnotannoyyouagaintostatetheproposal，“hewenton，“whatyouundertaketodoistopaytheannualtaxuponthesesouls，andtoremitthemoneyeithertomeortotheTreasury？”

“Yes，thatishowitshallbedone。Wewilldrawupadeedofpurchaseasthoughthesoulswerestillaliveandyouhadsoldthemtomyself。“

“Quiteso——adeedofpurchase，“echoedPlushkin，oncemorerelapsingintothoughtandthechewingmotionofthelips。“Butadeedofsuchakindwillentailcertainexpenses，andlawyersaresodevoidofconscience！Infact，soextortionateistheiravaricethattheywillchargeonehalfarouble，andthenasackofflour，andthenawholewaggon-loadofmeal。Iwonderthatnoonehasyetcalledattentiontothesystem。“

UponthatChichikovintimatedthat，outofrespectforhishost，hehimselfwouldbearthecostofthetransferofsouls。ThisledPlushkintoconcludethathisguestmustbethekindofunconscionablefoolwho，whilepretendingtohavebeenamemberoftheCivilService，hasinrealityservedinthearmyandrunafteractresses；whereforetheoldmannolongerdisguisedhisdelight，butcalleddownblessingsalikeuponChichikov"sheadanduponthoseofhischildren(hehadnevereveninquiredwhetherChichikovpossessedafamily)。Next，heshuffledtothewindow，and，tappingoneofitspanes，shoutedthenameof“Proshka。“Immediatelysomeoneranquicklyintothehall，and，aftermuchstampingoffeet，burstintotheroom。ThiswasProshka——athirteen-year-oldyoungsterwhowasshodwithbootsofsuchdimensionsasalmosttoengulfhislegsashewalked。ThereasonwhyhehadenteredthusshodwasthatPlushkinonlykeptonepairofbootsforthewholeofhisdomesticstaff。Thisuniversalpairwasstationedinthehallofthemansion，sothatanyservantwhowassummonedtothehousemightdonthesaidbootsafterwadingbarefootedthroughthemudofthecourtyard，andentertheparlourdry-shod——subsequentlyleavingthebootswherehehadfoundthem，anddepartinginhisformerbarefootedcondition。Indeed，hadanyone，onaslushywinter"smorning，glancedfromawindowintothesaidcourtyard，hewouldhaveseenPlushkin"sservitorsperformingsaltatoryfeatsworthyofthemostvigorousofstage-dancers。

“Lookatthatboy"sface！”saidPlushkintoChichikovashepointedtoProshka。“Itisstupidenough，yet，layanythingaside，andinatricehewillhavestolenit。Well，mylad，whatdoyouwant？”

Hepausedamomentortwo，butProshkamadenoreply。

“Come，come！”wentontheoldman。“Setoutthesamovar，andthengiveMavrathekeyofthestore-room——hereitis——andtellhertogetoutsomeloafsugarfortea。Here！Waitanothermoment，fool！Isthedevilinyourlegsthattheyitchsotobeoff？ListentowhatmoreIhavetotellyou。TellMavrathatthesugarontheoutsideoftheloafhasgonebad，sothatshemustscrapeitoffwithaknife，andNOTthrowawaythescrapings，butgivethemtothepoultry。Also，seethatyouyourselfdon"tgointothestoreroom，orIwillgiveyouabirchingthatyouwon"tcarefor。Yourappetiteisgoodenoughalready，butabetteronewon"thurtyou。Don"tevenTRYtogointothestoreroom，forIshallbewatchingyoufromthiswindow。“

“Yousee，“theoldmanaddedtoChichikov，“onecannevertrustthesefellows。“Presently，whenProshkaandthebootshaddeparted，hefelltogazingathisguestwithanequallydistrustfulair，sincecertainfeaturesinChichikov"sbenevolencenowstruckhimasalittleopentoquestion，andhehadbegintothinktohimself：“Afterall，thedevilonlyknowswhoheis——whetherabraggart，likemostofthesespendthrifts，orafellowwhoislyingmerelyinordertogetsometeaoutofme。“Finally，hiscircumspection，combinedwithadesiretotesthisguest，ledhimtoremarkthatitmightbewelltocompletethetransactionIMMEDIATELY，sincehehadnotovermuchconfidenceinhumanity，seeingthatamanmightbealiveto-dayanddeadto-morrow。

TothisChichikovassentedreadilyenough——merelyaddingthatheshouldlikefirstofalltobefurnishedwithalistofthedeadsouls。ThisreassuredPlushkinastohisguest"sintentionofdoingbusiness，sohegotouthiskeys，approachedacupboard，and，havingpulledbackthedoor，rummagedamongthecupsandglasseswithwhichitwasfilled。Atlengthhesaid：

“Icannotfinditnow，butIusedtopossessasplendidbottleofliquor。Probablytheservantshavedrunkitall，fortheyaresuchthieves。Ohno：perhapsthisisit！”

Lookingup，ChichikovsawthatPlushkinhadextractedadecantercoatedwithdust。

“Mylatewifemadethestuff，“wentontheoldman，“butthatrascalofahousekeeperwentandthrewawayalotofit，andneverevenreplacedthestopper。Consequentlybugsandothernastycreaturesgotintothedecanter，butIcleaneditout，andnowbegtoofferyouaglassful。“

TheideaofadrinkfromsuchareceptaclewastoomuchforChichikov，soheexcusedhimselfonthegroundthathehadjusthadluncheon。

“Youhavejusthadluncheon？”re-echoedPlushkin。“Now，THATshowshowinvariablyonecantellamanofgoodsociety，wheresoeveronemaybe。Amanofthatkindnevereatsanything——healwayssaysthathehashadenough。Verydifferentthatfromthewaysofarogue，whomonecanneversatisfy，howevermuchonemaygivehim。Forinstance，thatcaptainofmineisconstantlybeggingmetolethimhaveameal——thoughheisaboutasmuchmynephewasIamhisgrandfather。Asithappens，thereisneverabiteofanythinginthehouse，sohehastogoawayempty。Butaboutthelistofthosegood-for-nothingsouls——Ihappentopossesssuchalist，sinceIhavedrawnoneupinreadinessforthenextrevision。“

WiththatPlushkindonnedhisspectacles，andoncemorestartedtorummageinthecupboard，andtosmotherhisguestwithdustasheuntiedsuccessivepackagesofpapers——somuchsothathisvictimburstoutsneezing。Finallyheextractedamuch-scribbleddocumentinwhichthenamesofthedeceasedpeasantslayasclose-packedasacloudofmidges，fortherewereahundredandtwentyoftheminall。Chichikovgrinnedwithjoyatthesightofthemultitude。Stuffingthelistintohispocket，heremarkedthat，tocompletethetransaction，itwouldbenecessarytoreturntothetown。

“Tothetown？”repeatedPlushkin。“Butwhy？Moreover，howcouldI

leavethehouse，seeingthateveryoneofmyservantsiseitherathieforarogue？Daybydaytheypilferthings，untilsoonIshallhavenotasinglecoattohangonmyback。“

“Thenyoupossessacquaintancesinthetown？”

“Acquaintances？No。EveryacquaintancewhomIeverpossessedhaseitherleftmeorisdead。Butstopamoment。IDOknowthePresidentoftheCouncil。Eveninmyoldagehehasonceortwicecometovisitme，forheandIusedtobeschoolfellows，andtogoclimbingwallstogether。Yes，himIdoknow。ShallIwritehimaletter？”

“Byallmeans。“

“Yes，himIknowwell，forwewerefriendstogetheratschool。“

OverPlushkin"swoodenfeaturestherehadgleamedarayofwarmth——araywhichexpressed，ifnotfeeling，atalleventsfeeling"spalereflection。Justsuchaphenomenonmaybewitnessedwhen，forabriefmoment，adrowningmanmakesalastre-appearanceonthesurfaceofariver，andthererisesfromthecrowdliningthebanksacryofhopethatevenyettheexhaustedhandsmayclutchtheropewhichhasbeenthrownhim——mayclutchitbeforethesurfaceoftheunstableelementshallhaveresumedforeveritscalm，dreadvacuity。Butthehopeisshort-lived，andthehandsdisappear。EvensodidPlushkin"sface，afteritsmomentarymanifestationoffeeling，becomemeanerandmoreinsensiblethanever。

“Thereusedtobeasheetofcleanwritingpaperlyingonthetable，“

hewenton。“ButwhereitisnowIcannotthink。Thatcomesofmyservantsbeingsuchrascals。“

Whitthathefelltolookingalsounderthetable，aswellastohurryingaboutwithcriesof“Mavra，Mavra！”Atlengththecallwasansweredbyawomanwithaplatefulofthesugarofwhichmentionhasbeenmade；whereuponthereensuedthefollowingconversation。

“Whathaveyoudonewithmypieceofwritingpaper，youpilferer？”

“IswearthatIhaveseennopaperexceptthebitwithwhichyoucoveredtheglass。“

“Yourveryfacetellsmethatyouhavemadeoffwithit。“

“WhyshouldImakeoffwithit？"Twouldbeofnousetome，forIcanneitherreadnorwrite。“

“Youlie！Youhavetakenitawayforthesextontoscribbleupon。“

“Well，ifthesextonwantedpaperhecouldgetsomeforhimself。

NeitherhenorIhaveseteyesuponyourpiece。“

“Ah！Waitabit，forontheJudgmentDayyouwillberoastedbydevilsonironspits。Justseeifyouarenot！”

“ButwhyshouldIberoastedwhenIhaveneverevenTOUCHEDthepaper？Youmightaccusemeofanyotherfaultthantheft。“

“Nay，devilsshallroastyou，sureenough。Theywillsaytoyou，"Badwoman，wearedoingthisbecauseyourobbedyourmaster，"andthenstokeupthefirestillhotter。“

“Nevertheless_I_shallcontinuetosay，"Youareroastingmefornothing，forIneverstoleanythingatall。"Why，THEREitis，lyingonthetable！Youhavebeenaccusingmefornoreasonwhatever！”

And，sureenough，thesheetofpaperwaslyingbeforePlushkin"sveryeyes。Foramomentortwohechewedsilently。Thenhewenton：

“Well，andwhatareyoumakingsuchanoiseabout？Ifonesaysasinglewordtoyou，youanswerbackwithten。Goandfetchmeacandletosealaletterwith。AndmindyoubringaTALLOWcandle，foritwillnotcostsomuchastheothersort。Andbringmeamatchtoo。“

Mavradeparted，andPlushkin，seatinghimself，andtakingupapen，satturningthesheetofpaperoverandover，asthoughindoubtwhethertotearfromityetanothermorsel。Atlengthhecametotheconclusionthatitwasimpossibletodoso，andtherefore，dippingthepenintothemixtureofmouldyfluidanddeadflieswhichtheinkbottlecontained，startedtoinditetheletterincharactersasboldasthenotesofamusicscore，whilemomentarilycheckingthespeedofhishand，lestitshouldmeandertoomuchoverthepaper，andcrawlingfromlinetolineasthoughheregrettedthattherewassolittlevacantspaceleftonthesheet。

“Anddoyouhappentoknowanyonetowhomafewrunawayserfswouldbeofuse？”heaskedassubsequentlyhefoldedtheletter。

“What？Youhavesomerunawaysaswell？”exclaimedChichikov，againgreatlyinterested。

“CertainlyIhave。Myson-in-lawhaslaidthenecessaryinformationagainstthem，butsaysthattheirtrackshavegrowncold。However，heisonlyamilitaryman——thatistosay，goodatclinkingapairofspurs，butofnouseforlayingapleabeforeacourt。“

“Andhowmanyrunawayshaveyou？”

“Aboutseventy。“

“Surelynot？”

“Alas，yes。Neverdoesayearpasswithoutacertainnumberofthemmakingoff。Yetsogluttonousandidlearemyserfsthattheyaresimplyburstingwithfood，whereasIscarcelygetenoughtoeat。I

willtakeanypriceforthemthatyoumaycaretooffer。Tellyourfriendsaboutit，and，shouldtheyfindevenascoreoftherunaways，itwillrepaythemhandsomely，seeingthatalivingserfonthecensuslistisatpresentworthfivehundredroubles。“

“Perhapsso，butIamnotgoingtoletanyonebutmyselfhaveafingerinthis，“thoughtChichikovtohimself；afterwhichheexplainedtoPlushkinthatafriendofthekindmentionedwouldbeimpossibletodiscover，sincethelegalexpensesoftheenterprisewouldleadtothesaidfriendhavingtocuttheverytailfromhiscoatbeforehewouldgetclearofthelawyers。

“Nevertheless，“addedChichikov，“seeingthatyouaresohardpressedformoney，andthatIamsointerestedinthematter，Ifeelmovedtoadvanceyou——well，toadvanceyousuchatrifleaswouldscarcelybeworthmentioning。“

“Buthowmuchisit？”askedPlushkineagerly，andwithhishandstremblinglikequicksilver。

“Twenty-fivekopeckspersoul。“

“What？Inreadymoney？”

“Yes——inmoneydown。“

“Nevertheless，considermypoverty，dearfriend，andmakeitFORTY

kopeckspersoul。“

“Venerablesir，wouldthatIcouldpayyounotmerelyfortykopecks，butfivehundredroubles。Ishouldbeonlytoodelightedifthatwerepossible，sinceIperceivethatyou，anagedandrespectedgentleman，aresufferingforyourowngoodnessofheart。“

“ByGod，thatistrue，thatistrue。“Plushkinhunghishead，andwaggeditfeeblyfromsidetoside。“Yes，allthatIhavedoneIhavedonepurelyoutofkindness。“

“SeehowinstantaneouslyIhavedivinedyournature！Bynowitwillhavebecomecleartoyouwhyitisimpossibleformetopayyoufivehundredroublesperrunawaysoul：forbynowyouwillhavegatheredthefactthatIamnotsufficientlyrich。Nevertheless，Iamreadytoaddanotherfivekopecks，andsotomakeitthateachrunawayserfshallcostme，inall，thirtykopecks。“

“Asyouplease，dearsir。Yetstretchanotherpoint，andthrowinanothertwokopecks。“

“Pardonme，butIcannot。Howmanyrunawayserfsdidyousaythatyoupossess？Seventy？”

“No；seventy-eight。“

“Seventy-eightsoulsatthirtykopeckseachwillamountto——to——“onlyforamomentdidourherohalt，sincehewasstronginhisarithmetic，“——willamounttotwenty-fourroubles，ninety-sixkopecks。“[1]

[1]NeverthelessChichikovwouldappeartohaveerred，sincemostpeoplewouldmakethesumamounttotwenty-threeroubles，fortykopecks。Ifso，Chichikovcheatedhimselfofonerouble，fifty-sixkopecks。

WiththatherequestedPlushkintomakeoutthereceipt，andthenhandedhimthemoney。Plushkintookitinbothhands，boreittoabureauwithasmuchcautionasthoughhewerecarryingaliquidwhichmightatanymomentsplashhimintheface，and，arrivedatthebureau，andglancingroundoncemore，carefullypackedthecashinoneofhismoneybags，where，doubtless，itwasdestinedtolieburieduntil，totheintensejoyofhisdaughtersandhisson-in-law(and，perhaps，ofthecaptainwhoclaimedkinshipwithhim)，heshouldhimselfreceiveburialatthehandsofFathersCarpandPolycarp，thetwopriestsattachedtohisvillage。Lastly，themoneyconcealed，Plushkinre-seatedhimselfinthearmchair，andseemedatalossforfurthermaterialforconversation。

“Areyouthinkingofstarting？”atlengthheinquired，onseeingChichikovmakingatriflingmovement，thoughthemovementwasonlytoextractfromhispocketahandkerchief。NeverthelessthequestionremindedChichikovthattherewasnofurtherexcuseforlingering。

“Yes，Imustbegoing，“hesaidashetookhishat。

“Thenwhataboutthetea？”

“Thankyou，Iwillhavesomeonmynextvisit。“

“What？EventhoughIhavejustorderedthesamovartobegotready？

Well，well！Imyselfdonotgreatlycarefortea，forIthinkitanexpensivebeverage。Moreover，thepriceofsugarhasrisenterribly。“

“Proshka！”hethenshouted。“Thesamovarwillnotbeneeded。ReturnthesugartoMavra，andtellhertoputitbackagain。Butno。Bringthesugarhere，and_I_willputitback。“

“Good-bye，dearsir，“finallyheaddedtoChichikov。“MaytheLordblessyou！HandthatlettertothePresidentoftheCouncil，andlethimreadit。Yes，heisanoldfriendofmine。Weknewoneanotherasschoolfellows。“

Withthatthisstrangephenomenon，thiswitheredoldman，escortedhisguesttothegatesofthecourtyard，and，aftertheguesthaddeparted，orderedthegatestobeclosed，madetheroundoftheoutbuildingsforthepurposeofascertainingwhetherthenumerouswatchmenwereattheirposts，peeredintothekitchen(where，underthepretenceofseeingwhetherhisservantswerebeingproperlyfed，hemadealightmealofcabbagesoupandgruel)，ratedthesaidservantssoundlyfortheirthievishnessandgeneralbadbehaviour，andthenreturnedtohisroom。Meditatinginsolitude，hefelltothinkinghowbesthecouldcontrivetorecompensehisguestforthelatter"smeasurelessbenevolence。“Iwillpresenthim，“hethoughttohimself，“withawatch。Itisagoodsilverarticle——notoneofthosecheapmetalaffairs；andthoughithassufferedsomedamage，hecaneasilygetthatputright。Ayoungmanalwaysneedstogiveawatchtohisbetrothed。“

“No，“headdedafterfurtherthought。“Iwillleavehimthewatchinmywill，asakeepsake。“

Meanwhileourherowasbowlingalonginhighspirit。Suchanunexpectedacquisitionbothofdeadsoulsandofrunawayserfshadcomeasawindfall。EvenbeforereachingPlushkin"svillagehehadhadapresentimentthathewoulddosuccessfulbusinessthere，butnotbusinessofsuchpre-eminentprofitablenessashadactuallyresulted。

Asheproceededhewhistled，hummedwithhandplacedtrumpetwisetohismouth，andendedbyburstingintoaburstofmelodysostrikingthatSelifan，afterlisteningforawhile，noddedhisheadandexclaimed，“Myword，butthemasterCANsing！”

Bythetimetheyreachedthetowndarknesshadfallen，andchangedthecharacterofthescene。Thebritchkaboundedoverthecobblestones，andatlengthturnedintothehostelry"scourtyard，wherethetravellersweremetbyPetrushka。Withonehandholdingbackthetailsofhiscoat(whichheneverlikedtoseeflyapart)，thevaletassistedhismastertoalight。Thewaiterranoutwithcandleinhandandnapkinonshoulder。WhetherornotPetrushkawasgladtoseethebarinreturnitisimpossibletosay，butatalleventsheexchangedawinkwithSelifan，andhisordinarilymoroseexteriorseemedmomentarilytobrighten。

“Thenyouhavebeentravellingfar，sir？”saidthewaiter，ashelitthewayupstarts。

“Yes，“saidChichikov。“Whathashappenedhereinthemeanwhile？”

“Nothing，sir，“repliedthewaiter，bowing，“exceptthatlastnighttherearrivedamilitarylieutenant。Hehasgotroomnumbersixteen。“

“Alieutenant？”

“Yes。HecamefromRiazan，drivingthreegreyhorses。“

Onenteringhisroom，Chichikovclappedhishandtohisnose，andaskedhisvaletwhyhehadneverhadthewindowsopened。

“ButIdidhavethemopened，“repliedPetrushka。Neverthelessthiswasalie，asChichikovwellknew，thoughhewastootiredtocontestthepoint。Afterorderingandconsumingalightsupperofsuckingpig，heundressed，plungedbeneaththebedclothes，andsankintotheprofoundslumberwhichcomesonlytosuchfortunatefolkasaretroubledneitherwithmosquitoesnorfleasnorexcessiveactivityofbrain。

CHAPTERVII

WhenChichikovawokehestretchedhimselfandrealisedthathehadsleptwell。Foramomentortwohelayonhisback，andthensuddenlyclappedhishandsattherecollectionthathewasnowownerofnearlyfourhundredsouls。Atonceheleaptoutofbedwithoutsomuchasglancingathisfaceinthemirror，though，asarule，hehadmuchsolicitudeforhisfeatures，andespeciallyforhischin，ofwhichhewouldmakethemostwhenincompanywithfriends，andmoreparticularlyshouldanyonehappentoenterwhilehewasengagedintheprocessofshaving。“Lookhowroundmychinis！”washisusualformula。Onthepresentoccasion，however，helookedneitheratchinnoratanyotherfeature，butatoncedonnedhisflower-embroideredslippersofmorrocoleather(thekindofslippersinwhich，thankstotheRussianloveforadressing-gownedexistence，thetownofTorzhokdoessuchahugetrade)，and，cladonlyinameagreshirt，sofarforgothiselderlinessanddignityastocutacoupleofcapersafterthefashionofaScottishhighlander——alightingneatly，eachtime，ontheflatofhisheels。Onlywhenhehaddonethatdidheproceedtobusiness。Plantinghimselfbeforehisdispatch-box，herubbedhishandswithasatisfactionworthyofanincorruptibleruralmagistratewhenadjourningforluncheon；afterwhichheextractedfromthereceptacleabundleofpapers。Thesehehaddecidednottodepositwithalawyer，forthereasonthathewouldhastenmatters，aswellassaveexpense，byhimselfframingandfair-copyingthenecessarydeedsofindenture；andsincehewasthoroughlyacquaintedwiththenecessaryterminology，heproceededtoinscribeinlargecharactersthedate，andtheninsmallerones，hisnameandrank。Bytwoo"clockthewholewasfinished，andashelookedatthesheetsofnamesrepresentingbygonepeasantswhohadploughed，workedathandicrafts，cheatedtheirmasters，fetched，carried，andgotdrunk(thoughSOME

ofthemmayhavebehavedwell)，therecameoverhimastrange，unaccountablesensation。Tohiseyeeachlistofnamesseemedtopossessacharacterofitsown；andevenindividualpeasantsthereinseemedtohavetakenoncertainqualitiespeculiartothemselves。Forinstance，tothemajorityofMadameKorobotchka"sserfstherewereappendednicknamesandotheradditions；Plushkin"slistwasdistinguishedbyaconcisenessofexpositionwhichhadledtocertainoftheitemsbeingrepresentedmerelybyChristianname，patronymic，andacoupleofdots；andSobakevitch"slistwasremarkableforitsamplitudeandcircumstantiality，inthatnotasinglepeasanthadsuchofhispeculiarcharacteristicsomittedasthatthedeceasedhadbeen“excellentatjoinery，“or“soberandreadytopayattentiontohiswork。“Also，inSobakevitch"slisttherewasrecordedwhohadbeenthefatherandthemotherofeachofthedeceased，andhowthoseparentshadbehavedthemselves。OnlyagainstthenameofacertainThedotovwasthereinscribed：“Fatherunknown，MotherthemaidservantKapitolina，MoralsandHonestygood。“Thesedetailscommunicatedtothedocumentacertainairoffreshness，theyseemedtoconnotethatthepeasantsinquestionhadlivedbutyesterday。AsChichikovscannedthelisthefeltsoftenedinspirit，andsaidwithasigh：

“Myfriends，whataconcourseofyouishere！Howdidyouallpassyourlives，mybrethren？Andhowdidyouallcometodeparthence？”

Ashespokehiseyeshaltedatonenameinparticular——thatofthesamePeterSavelievNeuvazhaiKoritowhohadoncebeenthepropertyofthewindowKorobotchka。Oncemorehecouldnothelpexclaiming：

“Whataseriesoftitles！Theyoccupyawholeline！PeterSaveliev，I

wonderwhetheryouwereanartisanoraplainmuzhik。Also，Iwonderhowyoucametomeetyourend；whetherinatavern，orwhetherthroughgoingtosleepinthemiddleoftheroadandbeingrunoverbyatrainofwaggons。Again，Iseethename，"ProbkaStepan，carpenter，verysober。"ThatmustbetheheroofwhomtheGuardswouldhavebeensogladtogethold。HowwellIcanimaginehimtrampingthecountrywithanaxeinhisbeltandhisbootsonhisshoulder，andlivingonafewgroats"-worthofbreadanddriedfishperday，andtakinghomeacoupleofhalf-roublepiecesinhispurse，andsewingthenotesintohisbreeches，orstuffingthemintohisboots！Inwhatmannercameyoubyyourend，ProbkaStepan？Didyou，forgoodwages，mountascaffoldaroundthecupolaofthevillagechurch，and，climbingthencetothecrossabove，missyourfootingonabeam，andfallheadlongwithnoneathandbutUncleMichai——thegoodunclewho，scratchingthebackofhisneck，andmuttering，"Ah，Vania，foronceyouhavebeentooclever！"straightwaylashedhimselftoarope，andtookyourplace？

"MaksimTeliatnikov，shoemaker。"Ashoemaker，indeed？"Asdrunkasashoemaker，"saystheproverb。_I_knowwhatyouwerelike，myfriend。

Ifyouwish，Iwilltellyouyourwholehistory。YouwereapprenticedtoaGerman，whofedyouandyourfellowsatacommontable，thrashedyouwithastrap，keptyouindoorswheneveryouhadmadeamistake，andspokeofyouinuncomplimentarytermstohiswifeandfriends。Atlength，whenyourapprenticeshipwasover，yousaidtoyourself，"Iamgoingtosetuponmyownaccount，andnotjusttoscrapetogetherakopeckhereandakopeckthere，astheGermansdo，buttogrowrichquick。"Henceyoutookashopatahighrent，bespokeafeworders，andsettoworktobuyupsomerottenleatheroutofwhichyoucouldmake，oneachpairofboots，adoubleprofit。Butthosebootssplitwithinafortnight，andbroughtdownuponyourheaddireshowersofmaledictions；withtheresultthatgraduallyyourshopgrewemptyofcustomers，andyoufelltoroamingthestreetsandexclaiming，"Theworldisaverypoorplaceindeed！ARussiancannotmakealivingforGermancompetition。"Well，well！"ElizabetaVorobei！"ButthatisaWOMAN"Sname！HowcomesSHEtobeonthelist？ThatvillainSobakevitchmusthavesneakedherinwithoutmyknowingit。“

“"GrigoriGoiezhai-ne-Doiedesh，"“hewenton。“WhatsortofamanwereYOU，Iwonder？Wereyouacarrierwho，havingsetupateamofthreehorsesandatiltwaggon，leftyourhome，yournativehovel，forever，anddepartedtocartmerchandisetomarket？WasitonthehighwaythatyousurrenderedyoursoultoGod，ordidyourfriendsfirstmarryyoutosomefat，red-facedsoldier"sdaughter；afterwhichyourharnessandteamofrough，butsturdy，horsescaughtahighwayman"sfancy，andyou，lyingonyourpallet，thoughtthingsoveruntil，willy-nilly，youfeltthatyoumustgetupandmakeforthetavern，thereafterblunderingintoanicehole？Ah，ourpeasantofRussia！Neverdoyouwelcomedeathwhenitcomes！”

“Andyou，myfriends？”continuedChichikov，turningtothesheetwhereonwereinscribedthenamesofPlushkin"sabscondedserfs。

“Althoughyouarestillalive，whatisthegoodofyou？Youarepracticallydead。Whither，Iwonder，haveyourfugitivefeetcarriedyou？DidyoufarehardlyatPlushkin"s，orwasitthatyournaturalinclinationsledyoutopreferroamingthewildsandplunderingtravellers？Areyou，bythistime，ingaol，orhaveyoutakenservicewithothermastersforthetillageoftheirlands？"EremeiKariakin，NikitaVolokitaandAntonVolokita(sonoftheforegoing)。"Tojudgefromyoursurnames，youwouldseemtohavebeenborngadabouts[1]。

"Popov，householdserf。"Probablyyouareaneducatedman，goodPopov，andgoinforpolitethieving，asdistinguishedfromthemorevulgarcut-throatsort。Inmymind"seyeIseemtoseeaCaptainofRuralPolicechallengingyouforbeingwithoutapassport；whereuponyoustakeyouralluponasinglethrow。"Towhomdoyoubelong？"askstheCaptain，probablyaddingtohisquestionaforcibleexpletive。"Tosuchandsuchalandowner，"stoutlyyoureply。"Andwhatareyoudoinghere？"continuestheCaptain。"Ihavejustreceivedpermissiontogoandearnmyobrok，"isyourfluentexplanation。"Thenwhereisyourpassport？""AtMiestchanin[2]Pimenov"s。""Pimenov"s？ThenareyouPimenovhimself？""Yes，IamPimenovhimself。""Hehasgivenyouhispassport？""No，hehasnotgivenmehispassport。""Come，come！"

shoutstheCaptainwithanotherforcibleexpletive。"Youarelying！"

"No，Iamnot，"isyourdoggedreply。"ItisonlythatlastnightI

couldnotreturnhimhispassport，becauseIcamehomelate；soI

handedittoAntipProchorov，thebell-ringer，forhimtotakecareof。""Bell-ringer，indeed！ThenHEgaveyouapassport？""No；Ididnotreceiveapassportfromhimeither。""What？"——andheretheCaptainshoutsanotherexpletive——"Howdareyoukeeponlying？WhereisYOUR

OWNpassport？""Ihadoneallright，"youreplycunningly，"butmusthavedroppeditsomewhereontheroadasIcamealong。""Andwhataboutthatsoldier"scoat？"askstheCaptainwithanimpoliteaddition。"Whencedidyougetit？Andwhatofthepriest"scashboxandcoppermoney？"""AboutthemIknownothing，"youreplydoggedly。

"NeveratanytimehaveIcommittedatheft。""Thenhowisitthatthecoatwasfoundatyourplace？""Idonotknow。Probablysomeoneelseputitthere。""Yourascal，yourascal！"shoutstheCaptain，shakinghishead，andclosinginuponyou。"Puttheleg-ironsuponhim，andoffwithhimtoprison！""Withpleasure，"youreplyas，takingasnuff-boxfromyourpocket，youofferapinchtoeachofthetwogendarmeswhoaremanaclingyou，whilealsoinquiringhowlongtheyhavebeendischargedfromthearmy，andinwhatwarstheymayhaveserved。Andinprisonyouremainuntilyourcasecomeson，whenthejusticeordersyoutoberemovedfromTsarev-Kokshaikatosuchandsuchanotherprison，andasecondjusticeordersyoutobetransferredthencetoVesiegonskorsomewhereelse，andyougoflittingfromgaoltogaol，andsayingeachtime，asyoueyeyournewhabitation，"Thelastplacewasagooddealcleanerthanthisoneis，andonecouldplaybabki[3]there，andstretchone"slegs，andseealittlesociety。"“

[1]ThenamesKariakinandVolokitamight，perhaps，betranslatedas“Gallant“and“Loafer。“

[2]Tradesmanorcitizen。

[3]Thegameofknucklebones。

“"AbakumThirov，"“Chichikovwentonafterapause。“WhatofYOU，brother？Where，andinwhatcapacity，areYOUdisportingyourself？

HaveyougonetotheVolgacountry，andbecomebittenwiththelifeoffreedom，andjoinedthefishermenoftheriver？”

Here，breakingoff，Chichikovrelapsedintosilentmeditation。Ofwhatwashethinkingashesatthere？WashethinkingofthefortunesofAbakumThirov，orwashemeditatingasmeditateseveryRussianwhenhisthoughtsonceturntothejoysofanemancipatedexistence？

“Ah，well！”hesighed，lookingathiswatch。“Ithasnowgonetwelveo"clock。WhyhaveIsoforgottenmyself？Thereisstillmuchtobedone，yetIgoshuttingmyselfupandlettingmythoughtswander！WhatafoolIam！”

Sosaying，heexchangedhisScottishcostume(ofashirtandnothingelse)forattireofamoreEuropeannature；afterwhichhepulledtightthewaistcoatoverhisamplestomach，sprinkledhimselfwitheau-de-Cologne，tuckedhispapersunderhisarm，tookhisfurcap，andsetoutforthemunicipaloffices，forthepurposeofcompletingthetransferofsouls。Thefactthathehurriedalongwasnotduetoafearofbeinglate(seeingthatthePresidentoftheLocalCouncilwasanintimateacquaintanceofhis，aswellasafunctionarywhocouldshortenorprolonganinterviewatwill，evenasHomer"sZeuswasabletoshortenortoprolonganightoraday，wheneveritbecamenecessarytoputanendtothefightingofhisfavouriteheroes，ortoenablethemtojoinbattle)，butrathertoafeelingthathewouldliketohavetheaffairconcludedasquicklyaspossible，seeingthat，throughout，ithadbeenananxiousanddifficultbusiness。Also，hecouldnotgetridoftheideathathissoulswereunsubstantialthings，andthattherefore，underthecircumstances，hisshouldershadbetterberelievedoftheirloadwiththeleastpossibledelay。

Pullingonhiscinnamon-coloured，bear-linedovercoatashewent，hehadjuststeppedthoughtfullyintothestreetwhenhecollidedwithagentlemandressedinasimilarcoatandanear-lappetedfurcap。Uponthatthegentlemanutteredanexclamation。Behold，itwasManilov！Atoncethefriendsbecamefoldedinastrenuousembrace，andremainedsolockedforfullyfiveminutes。Indeed，thekissesexchangedweresovigorousthatbothsufferedfromtoothacheforthegreaterportionoftheday。Also，Manilov"sdelightwassuchthatonlyhisnoseandlipsremainedvisible——theeyescompletelydisappeared。AfterwardshespentaboutaquarterofanhourinholdingChichikov"shandandchafingitvigorously。Lastly，he，inthemostpleasantandexquisitetermspossible，intimatedtohisfriendthathehadjustbeenonhiswaytoembracePaulIvanovitch；anduponthisfollowedacomplimentofthekindwhichwouldmorefittinglyhavebeenaddressedtoaladywhowasbeingaskedtoaccordapartnerthefavourofadance。Chichikovhadopenedhismouthtoreply——thoughevenHEfeltatalosshowtoacknowledgewhathadjustbeensaid——whenManilovcuthimshortbyproducingfromunderhiscoatarollofpapertiedwithredriband。

“Whathaveyouthere？”askedChichikov。

“Thelistofmysouls。“

“Ah！”AndasChichikovunrolledthedocumentandranhiseyeoverithecouldnotbutmarvelattheelegantneatnesswithwhichithadbeeninscribed。

“Itisabeautifulpieceofwriting，“hesaid。“Infact，therewillbenoneedtomakeacopyofit。Also，ithasaborderarounditsedge！

Whoworkedthatexquisiteborder？”

“Donotaskme，“saidManilov。

“DidYOUdoit？”

“No；mywife。“

“Dear，dear！”Chichikovcried。“TothinkthatIshouldhaveputhertosomuchtrouble！”

“NOTHINGcouldbetoomuchtroublewherePaulIvanovitchisconcerned。

Chichikovbowedhisacknowledgements。Next，onlearningthathewasonhiswaytothemunicipalofficesforthepurposeofcompletingthetransfer，Manilovexpressedhisreadinesstoaccompanyhim；whereforethepairlinkedarminarmandproceededtogether。Whenevertheyencounteredaslightriseintheground——eventhesmallestunevennessordifferenceoflevel——ManilovsupportedChichikovwithsuchenergyasalmosttolifthimoffhisfeet，whileaccompanyingtheservicewithasmilingimplicationthatnotifHEcouldhelpitshouldPaulIvanovitchsliporfall。NeverthelessthisconductappearedtoembarrassChichikov，eitherbecausehecouldnotfindanyfittingwordsofgratitudeorbecauseheconsideredtheproceedingtiresome；

anditwaswithasenseofreliefthathedeboucheduponthesquarewherethemunicipaloffices——alarge，three-storiedbuildingofachalkywhitenesswhichprobablysymbolisedthepurityofthesoulsengagedwithin——weresituated。Nootherbuildinginthesquarecouldviewiththeminsize，seeingthattheremainingedificesconsistedonlyofasentry-box，ashelterfortwoorthreecabmen，andalonghoarding——thelatteradornedwiththeusualbills，posters，andscrawlsinchalkandcharcoal。Atintervals，fromthewindowsofthesecondandthirdstoriesofthemunicipaloffices，theincorruptibleheadsofcertainoftheattendantpriestsofThemiswouldpeerquicklyforth，andasquicklydisappearagain——probablyforthereasonthatasuperiorofficialhadjustenteredtheroom。Meanwhilethetwofriendsascendedthestaircase——nay，almostflewupit，since，longingtogetridofManilov"sever-supportingarm，Chichikovhastenedhissteps，andManilovkeptdartingforwardtoanticipateanypossiblefailureonthepartofhiscompanion"slegs。Consequentlythepairwerebreathlesswhentheyreachedthefirstcorridor。Inpassingitmayberemarkedthatneithercorridorsnorroomsevincedanyofthatcleanlinessandpuritywhichmarkedtheexteriorofthebuilding，forsuchattributeswerenottroubledaboutwithin，andanythingthatwasdirtyremainedso，anddonnednomeritricious，purelyexternal，disguise。ItwasasthoughThemisreceivedhervisitorsinnegligeandadressing-gown。Theauthorwouldalsogiveadescriptionofthevariousofficesthroughwhichourheropassed，wereitnotthathe(theauthor)standsinaweofsuchlegalhaunts。

Approachingthefirstdeskwhichhehappenedtoencounter，Chichikovinquiredofthetwoyoungofficialswhowereseatedatitwhethertheywouldkindlytellhimwherebusinessrelatingtoserf-indenturewastransacted。

“Ofwhatnature，precisely，ISyourbusiness？”counteredoneoftheyouthfulofficialsasheturnedhimselfround。

“Idesiretomakeanapplication。“

“Inconnectionwithapurchase？”

“Yes。But，asIsay，IshouldlikefirsttoknowwhereIcanfindthedeskdevotedtosuchbusiness。Isithereorelsewhere？”

“Youmuststatewhatitisyouhavebought，andforhowmuch。THEN

weshallbehappytogiveyoutheinformation。“

Chichikovperceivedthattheofficials"motivewasmerelyoneofcuriosity，asoftenhappenswhenyoungtchinovniksdesiretocutamoreimportantandimposingfigurethanisrightfullytheirs。

“Lookhere，youngsirs，“hesaid。“Iknowforafactthatallserfbusiness，nomattertowhatvalue，istransactedatonedeskalone。

ConsequentlyIagainrequestyoutodirectmetothatdesk。Ofcourse，ifyoudonotknowyourbusinessIcaneasilyasksomeoneelse。“

Tothisthetchinovniksmadenoreplybeyondpointingtowardsacorneroftheroomwhereanelderlymanappearedtobeengagedinsortingsomepapers。AccordinglyChichikovandManilovthreadedtheirwayinhisdirectionthroughthedesks；whereupontheelderlymanbecameviolentlybusy。

“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“saidChichikov，bowing，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”

Theelderlymanraisedhiseyes，andsaidstiffly：

“ThisisNOTthedeskforserfaffairs。“

“Whereisit，then？”

“IntheSerfDepartment。“

“AndwheremighttheSerfDepartmentbe？”

“InchargeofIvanAntonovitch。“

“AndwhereisIvanAntonovitch？”

Theelderlymanpointedtoanothercorneroftheroom；whitherChichikovandManilovnextdirectedtheirsteps。Astheyadvanced，IvanAntonovitchcastaneyebackwardsandviewedthemaskance。Then，withrenewedardour，heresumedhisworkofwriting。

“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“saidChichikov，bowing，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”

ItappearedasthoughIvanAntonovitchhadnotheard，socompletelydidheburyhimselfinhispapersandreturnnoreply。InstantlyitbecameplainthatHEatleastwasofanageofdiscretion，andnotoneofyourjejunechatterboxesandharum-scarums；for，althoughhishairwasstillthickandblack，hehadlongagopassedhisfortiethyear。Hiswholefacetendedtowardsthenose——itwaswhat，incommonparlance，isknownasa“pitcher-mug。“

“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“repeatedChichikov，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”

“Itisthat，“saidIvanAntonovitch，againloweringhisjug-shapedjowl，andresuminghiswriting。

“ThenIshouldliketotransactthefollowingbusiness。FromvariouslandownersinthiscantonIhavepurchasedanumberofpeasantsfortransfer。Hereisthepurchaselist，anditneedsbuttoberegistered。“

“Haveyoualsothevendorshere？”

“Someofthem，andfromtherestIhaveobtainedpowersofattorney。“

“Andhaveyouyourstatementofapplication？”

“Yes。Idesire——indeed，itisnecessaryformesotodo——tohastenmattersalittle。Couldtheaffair，therefore，becarriedthroughto-day？”

“To-day？Oh，dearno！”saidIvanAntonovitch。“Beforethatcanbedoneyoumustfurnishmewithfurtherproofsthatnoimpedimentsexist。“

“Then，toexpeditematters，letmesaythatIvanGrigorievitch，thePresidentoftheCouncil，isaveryintimatefriendofmine。“

“Possibly，“saidIvanAntonovitchwithoutenthusiasm。“ButIvanGrigorievitchalonewillnotdo——itiscustomarytohaveothersaswell。“

“Yes，buttheabsenceofotherswillnotaltogetherinvalidatethetransaction。Itoohavebeenintheservice，andknowhowthingscanbedone。“

“YouhadbettergoandseeIvanGrigorievitch，“saidIvanAntonovitchmoremildly。“Shouldhegiveyouanorderaddressedtowhomitmayconcern，weshallsoonbeabletosettlethematter。“

UponthatChichikovpulledfromhispocketapaper，andlaiditbeforeIvanAntonovitch。Atoncethelattercovereditwithabook。Chichikovagainattemptedtoshowittohim，but，withamovementofhishead，IvanAntonovitchsignifiedthatthatwasunnecessary。

“Aclerk，“headded，“willnowconductyoutoIvanGrigorievitch"sroom。“

UponthatoneofthetoilersintheserviceofThemis——azealotwhohadofferedhersuchheartfeltsacrificethathiscoathadburstattheelbowsandlackedalining——escortedourfriends(evenasVirgilhadonceescortedDante)totheapartmentofthePresence。Inthissanctumweresomemassivearmchairs，atableladenwithtwoorthreefatbooks，andalargelooking-glass。Lastly，in(apparently)sunlikeisolation，therewasseatedatthetablethePresident。Onarrivingatthedooroftheapartment，ourmodernVirgilseemedtohavebecomesooverwhelmedwithawethat，withoutdaringeventointrudeafoot，heturnedback，and，insodoing，oncemoreexhibitedabackasshinyasamat，andhavingadheringtoit，inonespot，achicken"sfeather。AssoonasthetwofriendshadenteredthehallofthePresencetheyperceivedthatthePresidentwasNOTalone，but，onthecontrary，hadseatedbyhissideSobakevitch，whoseformhadhithertobeenconcealedbytheinterveningmirror。Thenewcomers"entryevokedsundryexclamationsandthepushingbackofapairofGovernmentchairsasthevoluminous-sleevedSobakevitchroseintoviewfrombehindthelooking-glass。ChichikovthePresidentreceivedwithanembrace，andforawhilethehallofthePresenceresoundedwithosculatorysalutationsasmutuallythepairinquiredafteroneanother"shealth。Itseemedthatbothhadlatelyhadatouchofthatpainunderthewaistbandwhichcomesofasedentarylife。Also，itseemedthatthePresidenthadjustbeenconversingwithSobakevitchonthesubjectofsalesofsouls，sincehenowproceededtocongratulateChichikovonthesame——aproceedingwhichratherembarrassedourhero，seeingthatManilovandSobakevitch，twoofthevendors，andpersonswithwhomhehadbargainedinthestrictestprivacy，werenowconfrontingoneanotherdirect。However，ChichikovdulythankedthePresident，andthen，turningtoSobakevitch，inquiredafterHIShealth。

“ThankGod，Ihavenothingtocomplainof，“repliedSobakevitch：whichwastrueenough，seeingthatapieceofironwouldhavecaughtcoldandtakentosneezingsoonerthanwouldthatuncouthlyfashionedlandowner。

“Ah，yes；youhavealwayshadgoodhealth，haveyounot？”putinthePresident。“Yourlatefatherwasequallystrong。“

“Yes，heevenwentoutbearhuntingalone，“repliedSobakevitch。

“Ishouldthinkthatyoutoocouldworstabearifyouweretotryatusslewithhim，“rejoinedthePresident。

“Ohno，“saidSobakevitch。“MyfatherwasastrongermanthanIam。“

Thenwithasighthespeakeradded：“Butnowadaystherearenosuchmenashe。Whatisevenalifelikemineworth？”

“Thenyoudonothaveacomfortabletimeofit？”exclaimedthePresident。

“No；farfromit，“rejoinedSobakevitch，shakinghishead。“Judgeforyourself，IvanGrigorievitch。Iamfiftyyearsold，yetneverinmylifehadbeenill，exceptforanoccasionalcarbuncleorboil。Thatisnotagoodsign。SoonerorlaterIshallhavetopayforit。“Andherelapsedintomelancholy。

“Justlistentothefellow！”wasChichikov"sandthePresident"sjointinwardcomment。“WhatonearthhasHEtocomplainof？”

“Ihavealetterforyou，IvanGrigorievitch，“wentonChichikovaloudasheproducedfromhispocketPlushkin"sepistle。

“Fromwhom？”inquiredthePresident。Havingbrokentheseal，heexclaimed：“Why，itisfromPlushkin！TothinkthatHEisstillalive！Whatastrangeworlditis！Heusedtobesuchanicefellow，andnow——“

“Andnowheisacur，“concludedSobakevitch，“aswellasamiserwhostarveshisserfstodeath。“

“Allowmeamoment，“saidthePresident。Thenhereadtheletterthrough。Whenhehadfinishedheadded：“Yes，IamquitereadytoactasPlushkin"sattorney。Whendoyouwishthepurchasedeedstoberegistered，MonsieurChichikov——noworlater？”

“Now，ifyouplease，“repliedChichikov。“Indeed，Ibegthat，ifpossible，theaffairmaybeconcludedto-day，sinceto-morrowIwishtoleavethetown。Ihavebroughtwithmeboththeformsofindentureandmystatementofapplication。“

“Verywell。Neverthelesswecannotletyoudepartsosoon。Theindenturesshallbecompletedto-day，butyoumustcontinueyoursojourninourmidst。Iwillissuethenecessaryordersatonce。“

Sosaying，heopenedthedoorintothegeneraloffice，wheretheclerkslookedlikeaswarmofbeesaroundahoneycomb(ifImaylikenaffairsofGovernmenttosuchanarticle？)。

“IsIvanAntonovitchhere？”askedthePresident。

“Yes，“repliedavoicefromwithin。

“Thensendhimhere。“

Uponthatthepitcher-facedIvanAntonovitchmadehisappearanceinthedoorway，andbowed。

“Taketheseindentures，IvanAntonovitch，“saidthePresident，“andseethatthey——“

“ButfirstIwouldaskyoutoremember，“putinSobakevitch，“thatwitnessesoughttobeinattendance——notlessthantwoonbehalfofeitherparty。Letus，therefore，sendforthePublicProsecutor，whohaslittletodo，andhaseventhatlittledoneforhimbyhischiefclerk，Zolotucha。TheInspectoroftheMedicalDepartmentisalsoamanofleisure，andlikelytobeathome——ifhehasnotgoneouttoacardparty。Othersalsothereare——allmenwhocumberthegroundfornothing。“

“Quiteso，quiteso，“agreedthePresident，andatoncedispatchedaclerktofetchthepersonsnamed。

“Also，“requestedChichikov，“IshouldbegladifyouwouldsendfortheaccreditedrepresentativeofacertainladylandownerwithwhomI

havedonebusiness。HeisthesonofaFatherCyril，andaclerkinyouroffices。“

“Certainlyweshallcallhimhere，“repliedthePresident。“Everythingshallbedonetomeetyourconvenience，andIforbidyoutopresentanyofourofficialswithagratuity。Thatisaspecialrequestonmypart。Nofriendofmineeverpaysacopper。“

WiththathegaveIvanAntonovitchthenecessaryinstructions；andthoughtheyscarcelyseemedtomeetwiththatfunctionary"sapproval，uponthePresidentthepurchasedeedshadevidentlyproducedanexcellentimpression，moreespeciallysincethemomentwhenhehadperceivedthesumtotaltoamounttonearlyahundredthousandroubles。ForamomentortwohegazedintoChichikov"seyeswithanexpressionofprofoundsatisfaction。Thenhesaid：

“Welldone，PaulIvanovitch！Youhaveindeedmadeanicehaul！”

“Thatisso，“repliedChichikov。

“Excellentbusiness！Yes，excellentbusiness！”

“I，too，conceivethatIcouldnotwellhavedonebetter。Thetruthisthatneveruntilamanhasdrivenhomethepilesofhislife"sstructureuponalastingbottom，insteadofuponthewaywardchimerasofyouth，willhisaimsinlifeassumeadefiniteend。“And，thatsaid，ChichikovwentontodeliverhimselfofaverytellingindictmentofLiberalismandourmodernyoungmen。Yetinhiswordsthereseemedtolurkacertainlackofconviction。Somehowheseemedsecretlytobesayingtohimself，“Mygoodsir，youaretalkingthemostabsoluterubbish，andnothingbutrubbish。“NordidheeventhrowaglanceatSobakevitchandManilov。Itwasasthoughhewereuncertainwhathemightnotencounterintheirexpression。Yetheneednothavebeenafraid。NeveroncedidSobakevitch"sfacemoveamuscle，and，asforManilov，hewastoomuchunderthespellofChichikov"seloquencetodoaughtbeyondnodhisapprovalatintervals，andstrikethekindofattitudewhichisassumedbyloversofmusicwhenaladysingerhas，inrivalryofanaccompanyingviolin，producedanotewhereoftheshrillnesswouldexceedeventhecapacityofabird"sthrostle。

“ButwhynottellIvanGrigorievitchpreciselywhatyouhavebought？”

inquiredSobakevitchofChichikov。“Andwhy，IvanGrigorievitch，doYOUnotaskMonsieurChichikovpreciselywhathispurchaseshaveconsistedof？Whatasplendidlotofserfs，tobesure！Imyselfhavesoldhimmywheelwright，Michiev。“

“What？YouhavesoldhimMichiev？”exclaimedthePresident。“Iknowthemanwell。Heisasplendidcraftsman，and，ononeoccasion，mademeadrozhki[4]。Only，only——well，latelydidn"tyoutellmethatheisdead？”

[4]Asortoflow，four-wheeledcarriage。

“ThatMichievisdead？”re-echoedSobakevitch，comingperilouslyneartolaughing。“Ohdearno！Thatwashisbrother。Michievhimselfisverymuchalive，andinevenbetterhealththanheusedtobe。AnydayhecouldknockyouupabritchkasuchasyoucouldnotprocureeveninMoscow。However，heisnowboundtoworkforonlyonemaster。“

“Indeedasplendidcraftsman！”repeatedthePresident。“Myonlywonderisthatyoucanhavebroughtyourselftopartwithhim。“

“ThenthinkyouthatMichievistheONLYserfwithwhomIhaveparted？Nay，forIhavepartedalsowithProbkaStepan，mycarpenter，withMilushkin，mybricklayer，andwithTeliatnikov，mybootmaker。

Yes，thewholelotIhavesold。“

AndtothePresident"sinquirywhyhehadsoacted，seeingthattheserfsnamedwereallskilledworkersandindispensabletoahousehold，Sobakevitchrepliedthatamerewhimhadledhimtodoso，andthusthesalehadoweditsorigintoapieceoffolly。Thenhehunghisheadasthoughalreadyrepentingofhisrashact，andadded：

“Althoughamanofgreyhairs，Ihavenotyetlearnedwisdom。“

“But，“inquiredthePresidentfurther，“howcomesitabout，PaulIvanovitch，thatyouhavepurchasedpeasantsapartfromland？Isitfortransfermentelsewherethatyouneedthem？”

“Yes。“

“Verywell，then。Thatisquiteanothermatter。Towhatprovinceofthecountry？”

“TotheprovinceofKherson。“

“Indeed？Thatregioncontainssomesplendidland，“saidthePresident；

whereuponheproceededtoexpatiateonthefertilityoftheKhersonpastures。

“AndhaveyouMUCHlandthere？”hecontinued。

“Yes；quitesufficienttoaccommodatetheserfswhomIhavepurchased。“

“Andisthereariverontheestateoralake？”

“Both。“