第9章

Forhispart，Chichikovwasonlytoodelightedtoresidewithapersonsoquietandagreeableashishost。Ofawanderinglifehewastemporarilyweary，andtorest，evenforamonth，insuchabeautifulspot，andinsightofgreenfieldsandtheslowfloweringofspring，waslikelytobenefithimalsofromthehygienicpointofview。And，indeed，amoredelightfulretreatinwhichtorecuperatecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenfound。Thespring，longretardedbypreviouscold，hadnowbeguninallitscomeliness，andlifewasrampant。Already，overthefirstemeraldofthegrass，thedandelionwasshowingyellow，andthered-pinkanemonewashangingitstenderhead；whilethesurfaceofeverypondwasaswarmofdancinggnatsandmidges，andthewater-spiderwasbeingjoinedintheirpursuitbybirdswhichgatheredfromeveryquartertothevantage-groundofthedryreeds。Everyspeciesofcreaturealsoseemedtobeassemblinginconcourse，andtakingstockofoneanother。Suddenlytheearthbecamepopulous，theforesthadopeneditseyes，andthemeadowswereliftinguptheirvoiceinsong。Inthesamewayhadchoraldancesbeguntobeweavedinthevillage，andeverywherethattheeyeturnedtherewasmerriment。

Whatbrightnessinthegreenofnature，whatfreshnessintheair，whatsingingofbirdsinthegardensofthemansion，whatgeneraljoyandraptureandexaltation！Particularlyinthevillagemighttheshoutingandsinginghavebeeninhonourofawedding！

Chichikovwalkedhither，thither，andeverywhere——apursuitforwhichtherewasamplechoiceandfacility。Atonetimehewoulddirecthisstepsalongtheedgeoftheflattableland，andcontemplatethedepthsbelow，wherestilltherelaysheetsofwaterleftbythefloodsofwinter，andwheretheisland-likepatchesofforestshowedleaflessboughs；whileatanothertimehewouldplungeintothethicketandravinecountry，wherenestsofbirdsweightedbranchesalmosttotheground，andtheskywasdarkenedwiththecriss-crossflightofcawingrooks。Again，thedrierportionsofthemeadowscouldbecrossedtotheriverwharves，whencethefirstbargeswerejustbeginningtosetforthwithpea-mealandbarleyandwheat，whileatthesametimeone"searwouldbecaughtwiththesoundofsomemillresumingitsfunctionsasoncemorethewaterturnedthewheel。Chichikovwouldalsowalkafieldtowatchtheearlytillageoperationsoftheseason，andobservehowtheblacknessofanewfurrowwouldmakeitswayacrosstheexpanseofgreen，andhowthesower，rhythmicallystrikinghishandagainstthepannierslungacrosshisbreast，wouldscatterhisfistfulsofseedwithequaldistribution，apportioningnotagraintoomuchtoonesideortotheother。

Infact，Chichikovwenteverywhere。Hechattedandtalked，nowwiththebailiff，nowwithapeasant，nowwithamiller，andinquiredintothemannerandnatureofeverything，andsoughtinformationastohowanestatewasmanaged，andatwhatpricecornwasselling，andwhatspeciesofgrainwasbestforspringandautumngrinding，andwhatwasthenameofeachpeasant，andwhowerehiskinsfolk，andwherehehadboughthiscow，andwhathefedhispigson。Chichikovalsomadeinquiryconcerningthenumberofpeasantswhohadlatelydied：butofthesethereappearedtobefew。AndsuddenlyhisquickeyediscernedthatTientietnikov"sestatewasnotbeingworkedasitmighthavebeen——thatmuchneglectandlistlessnessandpilferinganddrunkennesswasabroad；andonperceivingthis，hethoughttohimself：“WhatafoolisthatTientietnikov！Tothinkoflettingapropertylikethisdecaywhenhemightbedrawingfromitanincomeoffiftythousandroublesayear！”

Also，morethanonce，whiletakingthesewalks，ourheroponderedtheideaofhimselfbecomingalandowner——notnow，ofcourse，butlater，whenhischiefaimshouldhavebeenachieved，andhehadgotintohishandsthenecessarymeansforlivingthequietlifeoftheproprietorofanestate。Yes，andatthesetimestherewouldincludeitselfinhiscastle-buildingthefigureofayoung，fresh，fair-facedmaidenofthemercantileorotherrichgradeofsociety，awomanwhocouldbothplayandsing。HealsodreamedoflittledescendantswhoshouldperpetuatethenameofChichikov；perhapsafrolicsomelittleboyandafairyoungdaughter，orpossibly，twoboysandquitetwoorthreedaughters；sothatallshouldknowthathehadreallylivedandhadhisbeing，thathehadnotmerelyroamedtheworldlikeaspectreorashadow；sothatforhimandhisthecountryshouldneverbeputtoshame。Andfromthathewouldgoontofancythatatitleappendedtohisrankwouldnotbeabadthing——thetitleofStateCouncillor，forinstance，whichwasdeservingofallhonourandrespect。Ah，itisacommonthingforamanwhoistakingasolitarywalksotodetachhimselffromtheirksomerealitiesofthepresentthatheisabletostirandtoexciteandtoprovokehisimaginationtotheconceptionofthingsheknowscanneverreallycometopass！

Chichikov"sservantsalsofoundthemansiontotheirtaste，and，liketheirmaster，speedilymadethemselvesathomeinit。InparticulardidPetrushkamakefriendswithGrigorythebutler，althoughatfirstthepairshowedatendencytooutbragoneanother——PetrushkabeginningbythrowingdustinGrigory"seyesonthescoreofhis(Petrushka"s)

travels，andGrigorytakinghimdownapegortwobyreferringtoSt。

Petersburg(acitywhichPetrushkahadnevervisited)，andPetrushkaseekingtorecoverlostgroundbydilatingontownswhichheHAD

visited，andGrigorycappingthisbynamingsometownwhichisnottobefoundonanymapinexistence，andthenestimatingthejourneythitherasatleastthirtythousandversts——astatementwhichwouldsocompletelyflabbergastthehenchmanofChichikov"ssuitethathewouldbeleftstaringopen-mouthed，amidthegenerallaughterofthedomesticstaff。However，asIsay，thepairendedbyswearingeternalfriendshipwithoneanother，andmakingapracticeofresortingtothevillagetavernincompany。

ForSelifan，however，theplacehadacharmofadifferentkind。Thatistosay，eacheveningtherewouldtakeplaceinthevillageasingingofsongsandaweavingofcountrydances；andsoshapelyandbuxomwerethemaidens——maidensofatypehardtofindinourpresent-dayvillagesonlargeestates——thathewouldstandforhourswonderingwhichofthemwasthebest。White-neckedandwhite-bosomed，allhadgreatrovingeyes，thegaitofpeacocks，andhairreachingtothewaist。Andas，withhishandsclaspingtheirs，heglidedhitherandthitherinthedance，orretiredbackwardstowardsawallwitharowofotheryoungfellows，andthen，withthem，returnedtomeetthedamsels——allsinginginchorus(andlaughingastheysangit)，“Boyars，showmemybridegroom！”andduskwasfallinggently，andfromtheothersideoftherivertherekeptcomingfar，faint，plaintiveechoesofthemelody——well，thenourSelifanhardlyknewwhetherhewerestandinguponhisheadorhisheels。Later，whensleepingandwhenwaking，bothatnoonandattwilight，hewouldseemstilltobeholdingapairofwhitehands，andmovinginthedance。

Chichikov"shorsesalsofoundnothingofwhichtodisapprove。Yes，boththebay，theAssessor，andtheskewbaldaccountedresidenceatTientietnikov"samostcomfortableaffair，andvotedtheoatsexcellent，andthearrangementofthestablesbeyondallcavil。True，onthisoccasioneachhorsehadastalltohimself；yet，bylookingovertheinterveningpartition，itwaspossiblealwaystoseeone"sfellows，and，shouldaneighbourtakeitintohisheadtoutteraneigh，toansweritatonce。

AsfortheerrandwhichhadhithertoledChichikovtotravelaboutRussia，hehadnowdecidedtomoveverycautiouslyandsecretlyinthematter。Infact，onnoticingthatTientietnikovwentinabsorbedlyforreadingandfortalkingphilosophy，thevisitorsaidtohimself，“No——Ihadbetterbeginattheotherend，“andproceededfirsttofeelhiswayamongtheservantsoftheestablishment。Fromthemhelearntseveralthings，and，inparticular，thatthebarinhadbeenwonttogoandcalluponacertainGeneralintheneighbourhood，andthattheGeneralpossessedadaughter，andthatsheandTientietnikovhadhadanaffairofsomesort，butthatthepairhadsubsequentlyparted，andgonetheirseveralways。Forthatmatter，ChichikovhimselfhadnoticedthatTientietnikovwasinthehabitofdrawingheadsofwhicheachrepresentationexactlyresembledtherest。

Once，ashesattappinghissilversnuff-boxafterluncheon，Chichikovremarked：

“Onethingyoulack，andonlyone，AndreiIvanovitch。“

“Whatisthat？”askedhishost。

“Afemalefriendortwo，“repliedChichikov。

Tientietnikovmadenorejoinder，andtheconversationcametemporarilytoanend。

ButChichikovwasnottobediscouraged；wherefore，whilewaitingforsupperandtalkingondifferentsubjects，heseizedanopportunitytointerject：

“Doyouknow，itwoulddoyounoharmtomarry。“

Asbefore，Tientietnikovdidnotreply，andtherenewedmentionofthesubjectseemedtohaveannoyedhim。

Forthethirdtime——itwasaftersupper——Chichikovreturnedtothechargebyremarking：

“To-day，asIwaswalkingroundyourproperty，Icouldnothelpthinkingthatmarriagewoulddoyouagreatdealofgood。Otherwiseyouwilldevelopintoahypochondriac。“

WhetherChichikov"swordsnowvoicedsufficientlythenoteofpersuasion，orwhetherTientietnikovhappened，atthemoment，tobeunusuallydisposedtofrankness，atalleventstheyounglandownersighed，andthenrespondedasheexpelledapuffoftobaccosmoke：

“Toattainanything，PaulIvanovitch，oneneedstohavebeenbornunderaluckystar。“

AndherelatedtohisguestthewholehistoryofhisacquaintanceshipandsubsequentrupturewiththeGeneral。

AsChichikovlistenedtotherecital，andgraduallyrealisedthattheaffairhadarisenmerelyoutofachancewordontheGeneral"spart，hewasastoundedbeyondmeasure，andgazedatTientietnikovwithoutknowingwhattomakeofhim。

“AndreiIvanovitch，“hesaidatlength，“whatwastheretotakeoffenceat？”

“Nothing，asregardstheactualwordsspoken，“repliedtheother。“Theoffencelay，rather，intheinsultconveyedintheGeneral"stone。“

Tientietnikovwasakindlyandpeaceableman，yethiseyesflashedashesaidthis，andhisvoicevibratedwithwoundedfeeling。

“Yet，eventhen，needyouhavetakenitsomuchamiss？”

“What？CouldIhavegoneonvisitinghimasbefore？”

“Certainly。Nogreatharmhadbeendone？”

“Idisagreewithyou。Hadhebeenanoldmaninahumblestationoflife，insteadofaproudandswaggeringofficer，Ishouldnothavemindedsomuch。But，asitwas，Icouldnot，andwouldnot，brookhiswords。“

“Acuriousfellow，thisTientietnikov！”thoughtChichikovtohimself。

“Acuriousfellow，thisChichikov！”wasTientietnikov"sinwardreflection。

“Itellyouwhat，“resumedChichikov。“To-morrowImyselfwillgoandseetheGeneral。“

“Towhatpurpose？”askedTientietnikov，withastonishmentanddistrustinhiseyes。

“Toofferhimanassuranceofmypersonalrespect。“

“Astrangefellow，thisChichikov！”reflectedTientietnikov。

“Astrangefellow，thisTientietnikov！”thoughtChichikov，andthenaddedaloud：“Yes，Iwillgoandseehimatteno"clockto-morrow；butsincemybritchkaisnotyetaltogetherintravellingorder，wouldyoubesogoodastolendmeyourkoliaskaforthepurpose？”

CHAPTERII

Tientietnikov"sgoodhorsescoveredthetenverststotheGeneral"shouseinalittleoverhalfanhour。Descendingfromthekoliaskawithfeaturesattunedtodeference，Chichikovinquiredforthemasterofthehouse，andwasatonceusheredintohispresence。Bowingwithheadheldrespectfullyononesideandhandsextendedlikethoseofawaitercarryingatrayfulofteacups，thevisitorinclinedhiswholebodyforward，andsaid：

“IhavedeemeditmydutytopresentmyselftoyourExcellency。IhavedeemeditmydutybecauseinmyheartIcherishamostprofoundrespectforthevaliantmenwho，onthefieldofbattle，haveprovedthesavioursoftheircountry。“

ThatthispreliminaryattackdidnotwhollydispleasetheGeneralwasprovedbythefactthat，respondingwithagraciousinclinationofthehead，hereplied：

“Iamgladtomakeyouracquaintance。Praybesogoodastotakeaseat。Inwhatcapacityorcapacitieshaveyouyourselfseenservice？”

“Ofmyservice，“saidChichikov，depositinghisform，notexactlyinthecentreofthechair，butratherononesideofit，andrestingahandupononeofitsarms，“——ofmyservicethescenewaslaid，inthefirstinstance，intheTreasury；whileitsfurthercourseboremesuccessivelyintotheemployofthePublicBuildingsCommission，oftheCustomsBoard，andofotherGovernmentOffices。But，throughout，mylifehasresembledabarquetossedonthecrestsofperfidiousbillows。InsufferingIhavebeenswathedandwrappeduntilIhavecometobe，asitwere，sufferingpersonified；whileoftheextenttowhichmylifehasbeensoughtbyfoes，nowords，nocolouring，no(ifImaysoexpressit？)painter"sbrushcouldeverconveytoyouanadequateidea。Andnow，atlength，inmydecliningyears，Iamseekingacornerinwhichtoekeouttheremainderofmymiserableexistence，whileatthepresentmomentIamenjoyingthehospitalityofaneighbourofyouracquaintance。“

“Andwhoisthat？”

“YourneighbourTientietnikov，yourExcellency。“

UponthattheGeneralfrowned。

“Ledmeadd，“putinChichikovhastily，“thathegreatlyregretsthatonaformeroccasionheshouldhavefailedtoshowaproperrespectfor——for——“

“Forwhat？”askedtheGeneral。

“FortheservicestothepublicwhichyourExcellencyhasrendered。

Indeed，hecannotfindwordstoexpresshissorrow，butkeepsrepeatingtohimself："WouldthatIhadvaluedattheirtrueworththemenwhohavesavedourfatherland！"“

“Andwhyshouldhesaythat？”askedthemollifiedGeneral。“Ibearhimnogrudge。Infact，Ihavenevercherishedaughtbutasincerelikingforhim，asincereesteem，anddonotdoubtbutthat，intime，hemaybecomeausefulmemberofsociety。“

“Inthewordswhichyouhavebeengoodenoughtoutter，“saidChichikovwithabow，“thereisembodiedmuchjustice。Yes，Tientietnikovisinverytruthamanofworth。Notonlydoeshepossessthegiftofeloquence，butalsoheisamasterofthepen。“

“Ah，yes；heDOESwriterubbishofsomesort，doesn"the？Verses，orsomethingofthekind？”

“Notrubbish，yourExcellency，butpracticalstuff。Inshort，heisinditingahistory。“

“AHISTORY？Butahistoryofwhat？”

“Ahistoryof，of——“ForamomentortwoChichikovhesitated。Then，whetherbecauseitwasaGeneralthatwasseatedinfrontofhim，orbecausehedesiredtoimpartgreaterimportancetothesubjectwhichhewasabouttoinvent，heconcluded：“AhistoryofGenerals，yourExcellency。“

“OfGenerals？OfWHATGenerals？”

“OfGeneralsgenerally——ofGeneralsatlarge。Thatistosay，andtobemoreprecise，ahistoryoftheGeneralsofourfatherland。“

BythistimeChichikovwasflounderingbadly。Mentallyhespatuponhimselfandreflected：“Graciousheavens！WhatrubbishIamtalking！”

“Pardonme，“wentonhisinterlocutor，“butIdonotquiteunderstandyou。IsTientietnikovproducingahistoryofagivenperiod，oronlyahistorymadeupofaseriesofbiographies？Also，isheincludingALLourGenerals，oronlythosewhotookpartinthecampaignof1812？”

“Thelatter，yourExcellency——onlytheGeneralsof1812，“repliedChichikov。Thenheaddedbeneathhisbreath：“WereItobekilledforit，Icouldnotsaywhatthatmaybesupposedtomean。“

“Thenwhyshouldhenotcomeandseemeinperson？”wentonhishost。

“PossiblyImightbeabletofurnishhimwithmuchinterestingmaterial？”

“Heisafraidtocome，yourExcellency。“

“Nonsense！Justbecauseofahastywordortwo！Iamnotthatsortofmanatall。Infact，IshouldbeveryhappytocalluponHIM。“

“Neverwouldhepermitthat，yourExcellency。Hewouldgreatlyprefertobethefirsttomakeadvances。“AndChichikovaddedtohimself：

“WhatastrokeofluckthoseGeneralswere！Otherwise，theLordknowswheremytonguemighthavelandedme！”

Atthismomentthedoorintotheadjoiningroomopened，andthereappearedinthedoorwayagirlasfairasarayofthesun——sofair，indeed，thatChichikovstaredatherinamazement。Apparentlyshehadcometospeaktoherfatherforamoment，buthadstoppedshortonperceivingthattherewassomeonewithhim。Theonlyfaulttobefoundinherappearancewasthefactthatshewastoothinandfragile-looking。

“MayIintroduceyoutomylittlepet？”saidtheGeneraltoChichikov。

“Totellyouthetruth，Idonotknowyourname。“

“Thatyoushouldbeunacquaintedwiththenameofonewhohasneverdistinguishedhimselfinthemannerofwhichyouyourselfcanboastisscarcelytobewonderedat。“AndChichikovexecutedoneofhissidelong，deferentialbows。

“Well，Ishouldbedelightedtoknowit。“

“ItisPaulIvanovitchChichikov，yourExcellency。“Withthatwenttheeasybowofamilitarymanandtheagilebackwardmovementofanindia-rubberball。

“Ulinka，thisisPaulIvanovitch，“saidtheGeneral，turningtohisdaughter。“Hehasjusttoldmesomeinterestingnews——namely，thatourneighbourTientietnikovisnotaltogetherthefoolwehadatfirstthoughthim。Onthecontrary，heisengageduponaveryimportantwork——uponahistoryoftheRussianGeneralsof1812。“

“Butwhoeversupposedhimtobeafool？”askedthegirlquickly。

“WhathappenedwasthatyoutookVishnepokromov"sword——thewordofamanwhoishimselfbothafoolandagood-for-nothing。“

“Well，well，“saidthefatherafterfurthergood-natureddisputeonthesubjectofVishnepokromov。“Doyounowrunaway，forIwishtodressforluncheon。Andyou，sir，“headdedtoChichikov，“willyounotjoinusattable？”

Chichikovbowedsolowandsolongthat，bythetimethathiseyeshadceasedtoseenothingbuthisownboots，theGeneral"sdaughterhaddisappeared，andinherplacewasstandingabewhiskeredbutler，armedwithasilversoap-dishandahand-basin。

“DoyoumindifIwashinyourpresence？”askedthehost。

“Bynomeans，“repliedChichikov。“Praydowhatsoeveryoupleaseinthatrespect。“

UponthattheGeneralfelltoscrubbinghimself——incidentally，tosendingsoapsudsflyingineverydirection。MeanwhileheseemedsofavourablydisposedthatChichikovdecidedtosoundhimthenandthere，moreespeciallysincethebutlerhadlefttheroom。

“MayIputtoyouaproblem？”heasked。

“Certainly，“repliedtheGeneral。“Whatisit？”

“Itisthis，yourExcellency。Ihaveadecrepitoldunclewhoownsthreehundredsoulsandtwothousandroubles-worthofotherproperty。

Also，exceptformyself，hepossessesnotasingleheir。Now，althoughhisinfirmstateofhealthwillnotpermitofhismanaginghispropertyinperson，hewillnotallowmeeithertomanageit。Andthereasonforhisconduct——hisverystrangeconduct——hestatesasfollows："Idonotknowmynephew，andverylikelyheisaspendthrift。Ifhewishestoshowmethatheisgoodforanything，lethimgoandacquireasmanysoulsas_I_haveacquired；andwhenhehasdonethatIwilltransfertohimmythreehundredsoulsaswell。“

“Themanmustbeanabsolutefool，“commentedtheGeneral。

“Possibly。Andwerethatall，thingswouldnotbeasbadastheyare。

But，unfortunately，myunclehasgoneandtakenupwithhishousekeeper，andhashadchildrenbyher。Consequently，everythingwillnowpasstoTHEM。“

“Theoldmanmusthavetakenleaveofhissenses，“remarkedtheGeneral。“Yethow_I_canhelpyouIfailtosee。“

“Well，Ihavethoughtofaplan。Ifyouwillhandmeoverallthedeadsoulsonyourestate——handthemovertomeexactlyasthoughtheywerestillalive，andwerepurchasableproperty——Iwillofferthemtotheoldman，andthenhewillleavemehisfortune。“

AtthispointtheGeneralburstintoaroaroflaughtersuchasfewcaneverhaveheard。Half-dressed，hesubsidedintoachair，threwbackhishead，andguffaweduntilhecameneartochoking。Infact，thehouseshookwithhismerriment，somuchsothatthebutlerandhisdaughtercamerunningintotheroominalarm。

Itwaslongbeforehecouldproduceasinglearticulateword；andevenwhenhedidso(toreassurehisdaughterandthebutler)hekeptmomentarilyrelapsingintosplutteringchuckleswhichmadethehouseringandringagain。

Chichikovwasgreatlytakenaback。

“Oh，thatuncle！”bellowedtheGeneralinparoxysmsofmirth。“Oh，thatblesseduncle！WHATafoolhe"lllook！Ha，ha，ha！Deadsoulsofferedhiminsteadofliveones！Oh，mygoodness！”

“IsupposeI"veputmyfootinitagain，“ruefullyreflectedChichikov。“But，goodLord，whatamanthefellowistolaugh！Heavensendthathedoesn"tburstofit！”

“Ha，ha，ha！”brokeouttheGeneralafresh。“WHATadonkeytheoldmanmustbe！Tothinkofhissayingtoyou："Yougoandfityourselfoutwiththreehundredsouls，andI"llcapthemwithmyownlot"！Myword！Whatajackass！”

“Ajackass，yourExcellency？”

“Yes，indeed！Andtothinkofthejestofputtinghimoffwithdeadsouls！Ha，ha，ha！WHATwouldn"tIgivetoseeyouhandinghimthetitledeeds？Whoishe？Whatishelike？Isheveryold？”

“Heiseighty，yourExcellency。“

“Butstillbriskandabletomoveabout，eh？Surelyhemustbeprettystrongtogoonlivingwithhishousekeeperlikethat？”

“Yes。Butwhatdoessuchstrengthmean？Sandrunsaway，yourExcellency。“

“Theoldfool！Butishereallysuchafool？”

“Yes，yourExcellency。“

“Anddoeshegooutatall？Doesheseecompany？Canhestillholdhimselfupright？”

“Yes，butwithgreatdifficulty。“

“Andhasheanyteethleft？”

“Nomorethantwoatthemost。“

“Theoldjackass！Don"tbeangrywithme，butImustsaythat，thoughyouruncle，heisalsoajackass。“

“Quiteso，yourExcellency。AndthoughitgrievesMEtohavetoconfessthatheismyuncle，whatamItodowithhim？”

Yetthiswasnotaltogetherthetruth。WhatwouldhavebeenafarharderthingforChichikovtohaveconfessedwasthefactthathepossessednounclesatall。

“Ibegofyou，yourExcellency，“hewenton，“tohandmeoverthose，those——“

“Thosedeadsouls，eh？Why，inreturnforthejestIwillgiveyousomelandaswell。Yes，youcantakethewholegraveyardifyoulike。

Ha，ha，ha！Theoldman！Ha，ha，ha！WHATafoolhe"lllook！Ha，ha，ha！”

AndoncemoretheGeneral"sguffawswentringingthroughthehouse。

CHAPTERIII

“IfColonelKoshkarevshouldturnouttobeasmadasthelastoneitisabadlook-out，“saidChichikovtohimselfonopeninghiseyesamidfieldsandopencountry——everythingelsehavingdisappearedsavethevaultofheavenandacoupleoflow-lyingclouds。

“Selifan，“hewenton，“didyouaskhowtogettoColonelKoshkarev"s？”

“Yes，PaulIvanovitch。Atleast，therewassuchaclatteraroundthekoliaskathatIcouldnot；butPetrushkaaskedthecoachman。“

“Youfool！HowoftenhaveItoldyounottorelyonPetrushka？

Petrushkaisablockhead，anidiot。Besides，atthepresentmomentI

believehimtobedrunk。“

“No，youarewrong，barin，“putinthepersonreferredto，turninghisheadwithasidelongglance。“Afterwegetdownthenexthillweshallneedbuttokeepbendingroundit。Thatisall。“

“Yes，andIsupposeyou"lltellmethatsivnkhaistheonlythingthathaspassedyourlips？Well，theviewatleastisbeautiful。Infact，whenonehasseenthisplaceonemaysaythatonehasseenoneofthebeautyspotsofEurope。“Thissaid，Chichikovaddedtohimself，smoothinghischin：“Whatadifferencebetweenthefeaturesofacivilisedmanoftheworldandthoseofacommonlacquey！”

Meanwhilethekoliaskaquickeneditspace，andChichikovoncemorecaughtsightofTientietnikov"saspen-studdedmeadows。Undulatinggentlyonelasticsprings，thevehiclecautiouslydescendedthesteepincline，andthenproceededpastwater-mills，rumbledoverabridgeortwo，andjoltedeasilyalongtherough-setroadwhichtraversedtheflats。Notamolehill，notamoundjarredthespine。Thevehiclewascomfortitself。

Swiftlythereflewbyclumpsofosiers，slendereldertrees，andsilver-leavedpoplars，theirbranchesbrushingagainstSelifanandPetrushka，andatintervalsdeprivingthevaletofhiscap。Eachtimethatthishappened，thesullen-facedservitorfelltocursingboththetreeresponsiblefortheoccurrenceandthelandownerresponsibleforthetreebeinginexistence；yetnothingwouldinducehimthereaftereithertotieonthecaportosteadyitwithhishand，socompletewashisassurancethattheaccidentwouldneverberepeated。Soontotheforegoingtreestherebecameaddedanoccasionalbirchorsprucefir，whileinthedenseundergrowtharoundtheirrootscouldbeseentheblueirisandtheyellowwood-tulip。Graduallytheforestgrewdarker，asthougheventuallytheobscuritywouldbecomecomplete。Thenthroughthetrunksandtheboughstherebegantogleampointsoflightlikeglitteringmirrors，andasthenumberoftreeslessened，thesepointsgrewlarger，untilthetravellersdebouchedupontheshoreofalakefourverstsorsoincircumference，andhavingonitsfurthermarginthegrey，scatteredloghutsofapeasantvillage。Inthewateragreatcommotionwasinprogress。Inthefirstplace，sometwentymen，immersedtotheknee，tothebreast，ortotheneck，weredraggingalargefishing-netinshore，while，inthesecondplace，therewasentangledinthesame，inadditiontosomefish，astoutmanshapedpreciselylikeamelonorahogshead。Greatlyexcited，hewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoice：“LetKosmamanageit，youloutofaDenis！Kosma，taketheendoftheropefromDenis！Don"tbearsohardonit，ThomaBolshoy[1]！GowhereThomaMenshov[2]is！Damnit，bringthenettoland，willyou！”Fromthisitbecameclearthatitwasnotonhisownaccountthatthestoutmanwasworrying。Indeed，hehadnoneedtodoso，sincehisfatwouldinanycasehavepreventedhimfromsinking。Yes，evenifhehadturnedheadoverheelsinanefforttodive，thewaterwouldpersistentlyhavebornehimup；andthesameif，say，acoupleofmenhadjumpedonhisback——theonlyresultwouldhavebeenthathewouldhavebecomeatrifledeepersubmerged，andforcedtodrawbreathbyspoutingbubblesthroughhisnose。No，thecauseofhisagitationwaslestthenetshouldbreak，andthefishescape：whereforehewasurgingsomeadditionalpeasantswhowerestandingonthebanktolayholdofandtopullat，anextraropeortwo。

[1]TheElder。

[2]TheYounger。

“Thatmustbethebarin——ColonelKoshkarev，“saidSelifan。

“Why？”askedChichikov。

“Because，ifyouplease，hisskiniswhiterthantherest，andhehastherespectablepaunchofagentleman。“

Meanwhilegoodprogresswasbeingmadewiththehaulinginofthebarin；until，feelingthegroundwithhisfeet，herosetoanuprightposition，andatthesamemomentcaughtsightofthekoliaska，withChichikovseatedtherein，descendingthedeclivity。

“Haveyoudinedyet？”shoutedthebarinas，stillentangledinthenet，heapproachedtheshorewithahugefishonhisback。Withonehandshadinghiseyesfromthesun，andtheotherthrownbackwards，helooked，inpointofpose，liketheMediciVenusemergingfromherbath。

“No，“repliedChichikov，raisinghiscap，andexecutingaseriesofbows。

“ThenthankGodforthat，“rejoinedthegentleman。

“Why？”askedChichikovwithnolittlecuriosity，andstillholdinghiscapoverhishead。

“BecauseofTHIS。Castoffthenet，ThomaMenshov，andpickupthatsturgeonforthegentlemantosee。Goandhelphim，TelepenKuzma。“

Withthatthepeasantsindicatedpickedupbytheheadwhatwasaveritablemonsterofafish。

“Isn"titabeauty——asturgeonfreshrunfromtheriver？”exclaimedthestoutbarin。“Andnowletusbeoffhome。Coachman，youcantakethelowerroadthroughthekitchengarden。Run，youloutofaThomaBolshoy，andopenthegateforhim。Hewillguideyoutothehouse，andImyselfshallbealongpresently。“

ThereuponthebareleggedThomaBolshoy，cladinnothingbutashirt，ranaheadofthekoliaskathroughthevillage，everyhutofwhichhadhanginginfrontofitavarietyofnets，forthereasonthateveryinhabitantoftheplacewasafisherman。Next，heopenedagateintoalargevegetableenclosure，andthencethekoliaskaemergedintoasquarenearawoodenchurch，with，showingbeyondthelatter，theroofsofthemanorialhomestead。

“Aqueerfellow，thatKoshkarev！”saidChichikovtohimself。

“Well，whateverImaybe，atleastI"mhere，“saidavoicebyhisside。Chichikovlookedround，andperceivedthat，inthemeanwhile，thebarinhaddressedhimselfandovertakenthecarriage。Withapairofyellowtrousershewaswearingagrass-greenjacket，andhisneckwasasguiltlessofacollarasCupid"s。Also，ashesatsidewaysinhisdrozhki，hisbulkwassuchthathecompletelyfilledthevehicle。

Chichikovwasabouttomakesomeremarkoranotherwhenthestoutgentlemandisappeared；andpresentlyhisdrozhkire-emergedintoviewatthespotwherethefishhadbeendrawntoland，andhisvoicecouldbeheardreiteratingexhortationstohisserfs。YetwhenChichikovreachedtheverandahofthehousehefound，tohisintensesurprise，thestoutgentlemanwaitingtowelcomethevisitor。HowhehadcontrivedtoconveyhimselfthitherpassedChichikov"scomprehension。

Hostandguestembracedthreetimes，accordingtoabygonecustomofRussia。Evidentlythebarinwasoneoftheoldschool。

“Ibringyou，“saidChichikov，“agreetingfromhisExcellency。“

“Fromwhom？”

“FromyourrelativeGeneralAlexanderDmitrievitch。“

“WhoisAlexanderDmitrievitch？”

“What？YoudonotknowGeneralAlexanderDmitrievitchBetrishev？”

exclaimedChichikovwithatouchofsurprise。

“No，Idonot，“repliedthegentleman。

Chichikov"ssurprisegrewtoabsoluteastonishment。

“Howcomesthatabout？”heejaculated。“IhopethatIhavethehonourofaddressingColonelKoshkarev？”

“Yourhopesarevain。Itistomyhouse，nottohis，thatyouhavecome；andIamPeterPetrovitchPietukh——yes，PeterPetrovitchPietukh。“

Chichikov，dumbfounded，turnedtoSelifanandPetrushka。

“Whatdoyoumean？”heexclaimed。“ItoldyoutodrivetothehouseofColonelKoshkarev，whereasyouhavebroughtmetothatofPeterPetrovitchPietukh。“

“Allthesame，yourfellowshavedonequiteright，“putinthegentlemanreferredto。“Doyou“(thistoSelifanandPetrushka)“gotothekitchen，wheretheywillgiveyouaglassfulofvodkaapiece。Thenputupthehorses，andbeofftotheservants"quarters。“

“Iregretthemistakeextremely，“saidChichikov。

“Butitisnotamistake。WhenyouhavetriedthedinnerwhichIhaveinstoreforyou，justseewhetheryouthinkITamistake。Enter，I

begofyou。“And，takingChichikovbythearm，thehostconductedhimwithin，wheretheyweremetbyacoupleofyouths。

“Letmeintroducemytwosons，homefortheirholidaysfromtheGymnasium[3]，“saidPietukh。“Nikolasha，comeandentertainourgoodvisitor，whileyou，Aleksasha，followme。“Andwiththatthehostdisappeared。

[3]SecondarySchool。

ChichikovturnedtoNikolasha，whomhefoundtobeabuddingmanabouttown，sinceatfirstheopenedaconversationbystatingthat，asnogoodwastobederivedfromstudyingataprovincialinstitution，heandhisbrotherdesiredtoremove，rather，toSt。Petersburg，theprovincesnotbeingworthlivingin。

“Iquiteunderstand，“Chichikovthoughttohimself。“Theendofthechapterwillbeconfectioners"assistantsandtheboulevards。“

“Tellme，“headdedaloud，“howdoesyourfather"spropertyatpresentstand？”

“Itisallmortgaged，“putinthefatherhimselfashere-enteredtheroom。“Yes，itisallmortgaged，everybitofit。“

“Whatapity！”thoughtChichikov。“Atthisrateitwillnotbelongbeforethismanhasnopropertyatallleft。Imusthurrymydeparture。“Aloudhesaidwithanairofsympathy：“Thatyouhavemortgagedtheestateseemstomeamatterofregret。“

“No，notatall，“repliedPietukh。“Infact，theytellmethatitisagoodthingtodo，andthateveryoneelseisdoingit。WhyshouldI

actdifferentlyfrommyneighbours？Moreover，Ihavehadenoughoflivinghere，andshouldliketotryMoscow——moreespeciallysincemysonsarealwaysbeggingmetogivethemametropolitaneducation。“

“Oh，thefool，thefool！”reflectedChichikov。“Heisforthrowingupeverythingandmakingspendthriftsofhissons。Yetthisisaniceproperty，anditisclearthatthelocalpeasantsaredoingwell，andthatthefamily，too，iscomfortablyoff。Ontheotherhand，assoonasevertheseladsbegintheireducationinrestaurantsandtheatres，thedevilwillawaywitheverystickoftheirsubstance。Formyownpart，Icoulddesirenothingbetterthanthisquietlifeinthecountry。“

“Letmeguesswhatisinyourmind，“saidPietukh。

“What，then？”askedChichikov，rathertakenaback。

“Youarethinkingtoyourself："ThatfoolofaPietukhhasaskedmetodinner，yetnotabiteofdinnerdoIsee。"Butwaitalittle。Itwillbereadypresently，foritisbeingcookedasfastasamaidenwhohashadherhaircutoffplaitsherselfanewsetoftresses。“

“HerecomesPlatonMikhalitch，father！”exclaimedAleksasha，whohadbeenpeepingoutofthewindow。

“Yes，andonagreyhorse，“addedhisbrother。

“WhoisPlatonMikhalitch？”inquiredChichikov。

“Aneighbourofours，andanexcellentfellow。“

ThenextmomentPlatonMikhalitchhimselfenteredtheroom，accompaniedbyasportingdognamedYarb。Hewasatall，handsomeman，withextremelyredhair。Asforhiscompanion，itwasofthekeen-muzzledspeciesusedforshooting。

“Haveyoudinedyet？”askedthehost。

“Yes，“repliedPlaton。

“Indeed？Whatdoyoumeanbycomingheretolaughatusall？DoIevergotoYOURplaceafterdinner？”

Thenewcomersmiled。“Well，ifitcanbringyouanycomfort，“hesaid，“letmetellyouthatIatenothingatthemeal，forIhadnoappetite。“

“ButyoushouldseewhatIhavecaught——whatsortofasturgeonfatehasbroughtmyway！Yes，andwhatcruciansandcarp！”

“Reallyittiresonetohearyou。Howcomeyoualwaystobesocheerful？”

“AndhowcomeYOUalwaystobesogloomy？”retortedthehost。

“How，youask？SimplybecauseIamso。“

“Thetruthisyoudon"teatenough。Trytheplanofmakingagooddinner。Wearinessofeverythingisamoderninvention。Onceuponatimeoneneverheardofit。“

“Well，boastaway，buthaveyouyourselfneverbeentiredofthings？”

“Neverinmylife。IdonotsomuchasknowwhetherIshouldfindtimetobetired。Inthemorning，whenoneawakes，thecookiswaiting，andthedinnerhastobeordered。Thenonedrinksone"smorningtea，andthenthebailiffarrivesforHISorders，andthenthereisfishingtobedone，andthenone"sdinnerhastobeeaten。Next，beforeonehasevenhadachancetoutterasnore，thereentersonceagainthecook，andonehastoordersupper；andwhenshehasdeparted，behold，backshecomeswitharequestforthefollowingday"sdinner！WhattimedoesTHATleaveonetobewearyofthings？”

Throughoutthisconversation，Chichikovhadbeentakingstockofthenewcomer，whoastonishedhimwithhisgoodlooks，hisupright，picturesquefigure，hisappearanceoffresh，unwastedyouthfulness，andtheboyishpurity，innocence，andclarityofhisfeatures。Neitherpassionnorcarenoraughtofthenatureofagitationoranxietyofmindhadventuredtotouchhisunsulliedface，ortolayasinglewrinklethereon。Yetthetouchoflifewhichthoseemotionsmighthaveimpartedwaswanting。Thefacewas，asitwere，dreaming，eventhoughfromtimetotimeanironicalsmiledisturbedit。

“I，too，cannotunderstand，“remarkedChichikov，“howamanofyourappearancecanfindthingswearisome。Ofcourse，ifamanishardpressedformoney，orifhehasenemieswhoarelyinginwaitforhislife(ashavecertainfolkofwhomIknow)，well，then——“

“BelievemewhenIsay，“interruptedthehandsomeguest，“that，forthesakeofadiversion，IshouldbegladofANYsortofananxiety。

Wouldthatsomeenemywouldconceiveagrudgeagainstme！Butnoonedoesso。Everythingremainseternallydull。“

“Butperhapsyoulackasufficiencyoflandorsouls？”

“Notatall。Iandmybrotherowntenthousanddesiatins[4]ofland，andoverathousandsouls。“

[4]Thedesiatin=2。86Englishacres。

“Curious！Idonotunderstandit。Butperhapstheharvesthasfailed，oryouhavesicknessabout，andmanyofyourmalepeasantshavediedofit？”

“Onthecontrary，everythingisinsplendidorder，formybrotheristhebestofmanagers。“

“Thentofindthingswearisome！”exclaimedChichikov。“Itpassesmycomprehension。“Andheshruggedhisshoulders。

“Well，wewillsoonputwearinesstoflight，“interruptedthehost。

“Aleksasha，doyourunhelter-skeltertothekitchen，andtheretellthecooktoservethefishpasties。Yes，andwherehavethatgawkofanEmelianandthatthiefofanAntoshkagotto？Whyhavetheynothandedroundthezakuski？”

Atthismomentthedooropened，andthe“gawk“andthe“thief“inquestionmadetheirappearancewithnapkinsandatray——thelatterbearingsixdecantersofvariously-colouredbeverages。Thesetheyplaceduponthetable，andthenringedthemaboutwithglassesandplatefulsofeveryconceivablekindofappetiser。Thatdone，theservantsappliedthemselvestobringinginvariouscomestiblesundercovers，throughwhichcouldbeheardthehissingofhotroastviands。

Inparticulardidthe“gawk“andthe“thief“workhardattheirtasks。

Asamatteroffact，theirappellationshadbeengiventhemmerelytospurthemtogreateractivity，for，ingeneral，thebarinwasnoloverofabuse，but，rather，akind-heartedmanwho，likemostRussians，couldnotgetonwithoutasharpwordortwo。Thatistosay，heneededthemforhistongueasheneedaglassofvodkaforhisdigestion。Whatelsecouldyouexpect？Itwashisnaturetocarefornothingmild。

Tothezakuskisucceededthemealitself，andthehostbecameaperfectgluttononhisguests"behalf。Shouldhenoticethataguesthadtakenbutasinglepieceofacomestible，headdedtheretoanotherone，saying：“Withoutamate，neithermannorbirdcanliveinthisworld。“Shouldanyonetaketwopieces，headdedtheretoathird，saying：“Whatisthegoodofthenumber2？Godlovesatrinity。“

Shouldanyonetakethreepieces，hewouldsay：“Wheredoyouseeawaggonwiththreewheels？Whobuildsathree-corneredhut？”Lastly，shouldanyonetakefourpieces，hewouldcapthemwithafifth，andaddtheretothepunningquip，“Napiatopiat[5]“。Afterdevouringatleasttwelvesteaksofsturgeon，Chichikovventuredtothinktohimself，“MyhostcannotpossiblyaddtoTHEM，“butfoundthathewasmistaken，for，withoutaword，Pietukhheapeduponhisplateanenormousportionofspit-roastedveal，andalsosomekidneys。Andwhatvealitwas！

[5]“Onemoremakesfive。“

“Thatcalfwasfedtwoyearsonmilk，“heexplained。“Icaredforitlikemyownson。“

“NeverthelessIcaneatnomore，“saidChichikov。

“Doyoutrythevealbeforeyousaythatyoucaneatnomore。“

“ButIcouldnotgetitdownmythroat。Thereisnoroomleft。“

“Iftherebenoroominachurchforanewcomer，thebeadleissentfor，androomisverysoonmade——yes，eventhoughbeforetherewassuchacrushthatanapplecouldn"thavebeendroppedbetweenthepeople。Doyoutrytheveal，Isay。Thatpieceisthetitbitofall。“

SoChichikovmadetheattempt；andinverytruththevealwasbeyondallpraise，androomwasfoundforit，eventhoughonewouldhavesupposedthefeatimpossible。

“FancythisgoodfellowremovingtoSt。PetersburgorMoscow！”saidtheguesttohimself。“Why，withascaleoflivinglikethis，hewouldberuinedinthreeyears。“Forthatmatter，Pietukhmightwellhavebeenruinedalready，forhospitalitycandissipateafortuneinthreemonthsaseasilyasitcaninthreeyears。

Thehostalsodispensedthewinewithalavishhand，andwhattheguestsdidnotdrinkhegavetohissons，whothusswallowedglassafterglass。Indeed，evenbeforecomingtotable，itwaspossibletodiscerntowhatdepartmentofhumanaccomplishmenttheirbentwasturned。Whenthemealwasover，however，theguestshadnomindforfurtherdrinking。Indeed，itwasallthattheycoulddotodragthemselvesontothebalcony，andtheretorelapseintoeasychairs。

Indeed，themomentthatthehostsubsidedintohisseat——itwaslargeenoughforfour——hefellasleep，andhisportlypresence，convertingitselfintoasortofblacksmith"sbellows，startedtovent，throughopenmouthanddistendednostrils，suchsoundsascanhavegreetedthereader"searbutseldom——soundsasofadrumbeingbeatenincombinationwiththewhistlingofafluteandthestridenthowlingofadog。

“Listentohim！”saidPlaton。

Chichikovsmiled。

“Naturally，onsuchdinnersasthat，“continuedtheother，“ourhostdoesNOTfindthetimedull。Andassoonasdinnerisendedtherecanensuesleep。“

“Yes，but，pardonme，Istillfailtounderstandwhyyoushouldfindlifewearisome。Therearesomanyresourcesagainstennui！”

“Asforinstance？”

“Forayoungman，dancing，theplayingofoneoranothermusicalinstrument，and——well，yes，marriage。“

“Marriagetowhom？”

“Tosomemaidenwhoisbothcharmingandrich。Aretherenoneintheseparts？”

“No。“

“Then，wereIyou，Ishouldtravel，andseekamaidenelsewhere。“AndabrilliantideatherewithenteredChichikov"shead。“Thislastresource，“headded，“isthebestofallresourcesagainstennui。“

“Whatresourceareyouspeakingof？”

“Oftravel。“

“Butwhither？”

“Well，shoulditsopleaseyou，youmightjoinmeasmycompanion。“

Thissaid，thespeakeraddedtohimselfasheeyedPlaton：“Yes，thatwouldsuitmeexactly，forthenIshouldhavehalfmyexpensespaid，andcouldchargehimalsowiththecostofmendingthekoliaska。“

“Andwhithershouldwego？”

“InthatrespectIamnotwhollymyownmaster，asIhavebusinesstodoforothersaswellasformyself。Forinstance，GeneralBetristchev——anintimatefriendand，Imightadd，agenerousbenefactorofmine——haschargedmewithcommissionstocertainofhisrelatives。However，thoughrelativesarerelatives，Iamtravellinglikewiseonmyownaccount，sinceIwishtoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity——which，inspiteofwhatpeoplemaysay，isasgoodasalivingbookorasecondeducation。“Asamatteroffact，Chichikovwasreflecting，“Yes，theplanisanexcellentone。Imightevencontrivethatheshouldhavetobearthewholeofourexpenses，andthathishorsesshouldbeusedwhilemyownshouldbeputouttograzeonhisfarm。“

“Well，whyshouldInotadoptthesuggestion？”wasPlaton"sthought。

“Thereisnothingformetodoathome，sincethemanagementoftheestateisinmybrother"shands，andmygoingwouldcausehimnoinconvenience。Yes，whyshouldInotdoasChichikovhassuggested？”

Thenheaddedaloud：

“Wouldyoucomeandstaywithmybrotherforacoupleofdays？

Otherwisehemightrefusemehisconsent。“

“Withgreatpleasure，“saidChichikov。“Orevenforthreedays。“

“Thenhereismyhandonit。Letusbeoffatonce。“Platonseemedsuddenlytohavecometolifeagain。

“Whereareyouoffto？”putintheirhostunexpectedlyasherousedhimselfandstaredinastonishmentatthepair。“No，no，mygoodsirs。

Ihavehadthewheelsremovedfromyourkoliaska，MonsieurChichikov，andhavesentyourhorse，PlatonMikhalitch，toagrazinggroundfifteenverstsaway。Consequentlyyoumustspendthenighthere，anddepartto-morrowmorningafterbreakfast。“

WhatcouldbedonewithamanlikePietukh？Therewasnohelpforitbuttoremain。Inreturn，theguestswererewardedwithabeautifulspringevening，for，tospendthetime，thehostorganisedaboatingexpeditionontheriver，andadozenrowers，withadozenpairsofoars，conveyedtheparty(totheaccompanimentofsong)acrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelakeandupagreatriverwithtoweringbanks。

Fromtimetotimetheboatwouldpassunderropes，stretchedacrossforpurposesoffishing，andateachturnoftheripplingcurrentnewvistasunfoldedthemselvesastierupontierofwoodlanddelightedtheeyewithadiversityoftimberandfoliage。Inunisondidtherowersplytheirsculls，yetitwasthoughofitselfthattheskiffshotforward，bird-like，overtheglassysurfaceofthewater；whileatintervalsthebroad-shoulderedyoungoarsmanwhowasseatedthirdfromthebowwouldraise，asfromanightingale"sthroat，theopeningstavesofaboatsong，andthenbejoinedbyfiveorsixmore，untilthemelodyhadcometopourforthinavolumeasfreeandboundlessasRussiaherself。AndPietukh，too，wouldgivehimselfashake，andhelplustilytosupportthechorus；andevenChichikovfeltacutelyconsciousofthefactthathewasaRussian。OnlyPlatonreflected：

“Whatistheresosplendidinthesemelancholysongs？Theydobutincreaseone"sdepressionofspirits。“

Thejourneyhomewardwasmadeinthegatheringdusk。Rhythmicallytheoarssmoteasurfacewhichnolongerreflectedthesky，anddarknesshadfallenwhentheyreachedtheshore，alongwhichlightsweretwinklingwherethefisherfolkwereboilingliveeelsforsoup。

Everythinghadnowwendeditswayhomewardforthenight；thecattleandpoultryhadbeenhoused，andtheherdsmen，standingatthegatesofthevillagecattle-pens，amidthetrailingdustlatelyraisedbytheircharges，wereawaitingthemilk-pailsandasummonstopartakeoftheeel-broth。Throughtheduskcamethehumofhumankind，andthebarkingofdogsinotherandmoredistantvillages；while，overall，themoonwasrising，andthedarkenedcountrysidewasbeginningtoglimmertolightagainunderherbeams。Whatagloriouspicture！Yetnoonethoughtofadmiringit。Insteadofgallopingoverthecountrysideonfriskycobs，NikolashaandAleksashawereengagedindreamingofMoscow，withitsconfectioners"shopsandthetheatresofwhichacadet，newlyarrivedonavisitfromthecapital，hadjustbeentellingthem；whiletheirfatherhadhismindfullofhowbesttostuffhisguestswithyetmorefood，andPlatonwasgivenuptoyawning。OnlyinChichikovwasaspiceofanimationvisible。“Yes，“hereflected，“somedayI，too，willbecomelordofsuchacountryplace。“Andbeforehismind"seyetherearosealsoahelpmeetandsomelittleChichikovs。

Bythetimethatsupperwasfinishedthepartyhadagainover-eatenthemselves，andwhenChichikoventeredtheroomallottedhimforthenight，helaydownuponthebed，andproddedhisstomach。“Itisastightasadrum，“hesaidtohimself。“Notanothertitbitofvealcouldnowgetintoit。“Also，circumstanceshadsobroughtitaboutthatnextdoortohimtherewassituatedhishost"sapartment；andsincetheinterveningwallwasthin，Chichikovcouldheareverywordthatwassaidthere。Atthepresentmomentthemasterofthehousewasengagedingivingthecookordersforwhat，undertheguiseofanearlybreakfast，promisedtoconstituteaveritabledinner。YoushouldhaveheardPietukh"sbehests！Theywouldhaveexcitedtheappetiteofacorpse。

“Yes，“hesaid，suckinghislips，anddrawingadeepbreath，“inthefirstplace，makeapastyinfourdivisions。Intooneofthedivisionsputthesturgeon"scheeksandsomeviaziga[6]，andintoanotherdivisionsomebuckwheatporridge，youngmushroomsandonions，sweetmilk，calves"brains，andanythingelsethatyoumayfindsuitable——anythingelsethatyoumayhavegothandy。Also，bakethepastrytoanicebrownononeside，andbutlightlyontheother。Yes，and，astotheunderside，bakeitsothatitwillbealljuicyandflaky，sothatitshallnotcrumbleintobits，butmeltinthemouthlikethesoftestsnowthateveryouheardof。“AndashesaidthisPietukhfairlysmackedhislips。

[6]Driedspinalmarrowofthesturgeon。

“Thedeviltakehim！”mutteredChichikov，thrustinghisheadbeneaththebedclothestoavoidhearingmore。“Thefellowwon"tgiveoneachancetosleep。“

Neverthelessheheardthroughtheblankets：

“Andgarnishthesturgeonwithbeetroot，smelts，pepperedmushrooms，youngradishes，carrots，beans，andanythingelseyoulike，soastohaveplentyoftrimmings。Yes，andputalumpoficeintothepig"sbladder，soastoswellitup。“

ManyotherdishesdidPietukhorder，andnothingwastobeheardbuthistalkofboiling，roasting，andstewing。Finally，justasmentionwasbeingmadeofaturkeycock，Chichikovfellasleep。

Nextmorningtheguest"sstateofrepletionhadreachedthepointofPlatonbeingunabletomounthishorse；whereforethelatterwasdispatchedhomewardwithoneofPietukh"sgrooms，andthetwoguestsenteredChichikov"skoliaska。Eventhedogtrottedlazilyintherear；

forhe，too，hadover-eatenhimself。

“Ithasbeenrathertoomuchofagoodthing，“remarkedChichikovasthevehicleissuedfromthecourtyard。

“Yes，anditvexesmetoseethefellownevertireofit，“repliedPlaton。

“Ah，“thoughtChichikovtohimself，“if_I_hadanincomeofseventythousandroubles，asyouhave，I"dverysoongivetirednessoneintheeye！TakeMurazov，thetax-farmer——he，again，mustbeworthtenmillions。Whatafortune！”

“Doyoumindwherewedrive？”askedPlaton。“Ishouldlikefirsttogoandtakeleaveofmysisterandmybrother-in-law。“

“Withpleasure，“saidChichikov。

“Mybrother-in-lawistheleadinglandownerhereabouts。Atthepresentmomentheisdrawinganincomeoftwohundredthousandroublesfromapropertywhich，eightyearsago，wasproducingabaretwentythousand。“

“Trulyamanworthyoftheutmostrespect！Ishallbemostinterestedtomakehisacquaintance。Tothinkofit！Andwhatmayhisfamilynamebe？”

“Kostanzhoglo。“

“AndhisChristiannameandpatronymic？”

“ConstantineThedorovitch。“

“ConstantineThedorovitchKostanzhoglo。Yes，itwillbeamostinterestingeventtomakehisacquaintance。Toknowsuchamanmustbeawholeeducation。“

HerePlatonsethimselftogiveSelifansomedirectionsastotheway，anecessaryproceedinginviewofthefactthatSelifancouldhardlymaintainhisseatonthebox。TwicePetrushka，too，hadfallenheadlong，andthisnecessitatedbeingtiedtohisperchwithapieceofrope。“Whataclown！”hadbeenChichikov"sonlycomment。

“Thisiswheremybrother-in-law"slandbegins，“saidPlaton。

“Theygiveoneachangeofview。“

And，indeed，fromthispointthecountrysidebecameplantedwithtimber；therowsoftreesrunningasstraightaspistol-shots，andhavingbeyondthem，andonhigherground，asecondexpanseofforest，newlyplantedlikethefirst；whilebeyondit，again，loomedathirdplantationofoldertrees。Nexttheresucceededaflatpieceofthesamenature。

“Allthistimber，“saidPlaton，“hasgrownupwithineightortenyearsatthemost；whereasonanotherman"slanditwouldhavetakentwentytoattainthesamegrowth。“

“Andhowhasyourbrother-in-laweffectedthis？”

“Youmustaskhimyourself。Heissoexcellentahusbandmanthatnothingeverfailswithhim。Yousee，heknowsthesoil，andalsoknowswhatoughttobeplantedbesidewhat，andwhatkindsoftimberarethebestneighbourhoodforgrain。Again，everythingonhisestateismadetoperformatleastthreeorfourdifferentfunctions。Forinstance，hemakeshistimbernotonlyserveastimber，butalsoserveasaproviderofmoistureandshadetoagivenstretchofland，andthenasafertiliserwithitsfallenleaves。Consequently，wheneverywhereelsethereisdrought，hestillhaswater，andwheneverywhereelsetherehasbeenafailureoftheharvest，onhislandsitwillhaveprovedasuccess。ButitisapitythatIknowsolittleaboutitallastobeunabletoexplaintoyouhismanyexpedients。

Folkcallhimawizard，forheproducessomuch。Nevertheless，personallyIfindwhathedoesuninteresting。“

“Trulyanastonishingfellow！”reflectedChichikovwithaglanceathiscompanion。“Itissadindeedtoseeamansosuperficialastobeunabletoexplainmattersofthiskind。“

Atlengththemanorappearedinsight——anestablishmentlookingalmostlikeatown，sonumerouswerethehutswheretheystoodarrangedinthreetiers，crownedwiththreechurches，andsurroundedwithhugericksandbarns。“Yes，“thoughtChichikovtohimself，“onecanseewhatajewelofalandownerliveshere。“Thehutsinquestionwerestoutlybuiltandtheinterveningalleyswelllaid-out；while，whereverawaggonwasvisible，itlookedserviceableandmoreorlessnew。Also，thelocalpeasantsboreanintelligentlookontheirfaces，thecattlewereofthebestpossiblebreed，andeventhepeasants"

pigsbelongedtotheporcinearistocracy。Clearlytheredweltherepeasantswho，toquotethesong，wereaccustomedto“pickupsilverbytheshovelful。“NorwereEnglishifiedgardensandparterresandotherconceitsinevidence，but，onthecontrary，thererananopenviewfromthemanorhousetothefarmbuildingsandtheworkmen"scots，sothat，aftertheoldRussianfashion，thebarinshouldbeabletokeepaneyeuponallthatwasgoingonaroundhim。Forthesamepurpose，themansionwastoppedwithatalllanternandasuperstructure——adevicedesigned，notforornament，norforavantage-spotforthecontemplationoftheview，butforsupervisionofthelabourersengagedindistantfields。Lastly，thebrisk，activeservantswhoreceivedthevisitorsontheverandahwereverydifferentmenialsfromthedrunkenPetrushka，eventhoughtheydidnotwearswallow-tailedcoats，butonlyCossacktchekmenu[7]ofbluehomespuncloth。

[7]Long，beltedTartarblouses。

Theladyofthehousealsoissuedontotheverandah。Withherfaceofthefreshnessof“bloodandmilk“andthebrightnessofGod"sdaylight，sheasnearlyresembledPlatonasonepearesemblesanother，savethat，whereashewaslanguid，shewascheerfulandfulloftalk。

“Goodday，brother！”shecried。“HowgladIamtoseeyou！Constantineisnotathome，butwillbebackpresently。“

“Whereishe？”

“Doingbusinessinthevillagewithapartyoffactors，“repliedtheladyassheconductedhergueststothedrawing-room。

WithnolittlecuriositydidChichikovgazeattheinteriorofthemansioninhabitedbythemanwhoreceivedanannualincomeoftwohundredthousandroubles；forhethoughttodiscerntherefromthenatureofitsproprietor，evenasfromashellonemaydeducethespeciesofoysterorsnailwhichhasbeenitstenant，andhasleftthereinitsimpression。Butnosuchconclusionsweretobedrawn。Theroomsweresimple，andevenbare。Notafresconorapicturenorabronzenoraflowernorachinawhat-notnorabookwastheretobeseen。Inshort，everythingappearedtoshowthattheproprietorofthisabodespentthegreaterpartofhistime，notbetweenfourwalls，butinthefield，andthathethoughtouthisplans，notinsybariticfashionbythefireside，norinaneasychairbesidethestove，butonthespotwhereworkwasactuallyinprogress——that，inaword，wherethoseplanswereconceived，theretheywereputintoexecution。NorintheseroomscouldChichikovdetecttheleasttraceofafemininehand，beyondthefactthatcertaintablesandchairsboredrying-boardswhereonwerearrangedsomesprinklingsofflowerpetals。

“Whatisallthisrubbishfor？”askedPlaton。

“Itisnotrubbish，“repliedtheladyofthehouse。“Onthecontrary，itisthebestpossibleremedyforfever。Lastyearwecuredeveryoneofoursickpeasantswithit。SomeofthepetalsIamgoingtomakeintoanointment，andsomeintoaninfusion。Youmaylaughasmuchasyoulikeatmypottingandpreserving，yetyouyourselfwillbegladofthingsofthekindwhenyousetoutonyourtravels。“

Platonmovedtothepiano，andbegantopickoutanoteortwo。

“GoodLord，whatanancientinstrument！”heexclaimed。“Areyounotashamedofit，sister？”

“Well，thetruthisthatIgetnotimetopracticemymusic。Yousee，“

sheaddedtoChichikov，“Ihaveaneight-year-olddaughtertoeducate；

andtohandherovertoaforeigngovernessinorderthatImayhaveleisureformyownpiano-playing——well，thatisathingwhichIcouldneverbringmyselftodo。“

“Youhavebecomeawearisomesortofperson，“commentedPlaton，andwalkedawaytothewindow。“Ah，herecomesConstantine，“presentlyheadded。

Chichikovalsoglancedoutofthewindow，andsawapproachingtheverandahabrisk，swarthy-complexionedmanofaboutforty，amancladinaroughclothjacketandavelveteencap。Evidentlyhewasoneofthosewhocarelittleforthenicetiesofdress。Withhim，bareheaded，therecameacoupleofmenofasomewhatlowerstationinlife，andallthreewereengagedinananimateddiscussion。Oneofthebarin"stwocompanionswasaplainpeasant，andtheother(cladinablueSiberiansmock)atravellingfactor。Thefactthatthepartyhaltedawhilebytheentrancestepsmadeitpossibletooverhearaportionoftheirconversationfromwithin。

“Thisiswhatyoupeasantshadbetterdo，“thebarinwassaying。

“Purchaseyourreleasefromyourpresentmaster。Iwilllendyouthenecessarymoney，andafterwardsyoucanworkforme。“

“No，ConstantineThedorovitch，“repliedthepeasant。“Whyshouldwedothat？Removeusjustasweare。Youwillknowhowtoarrangeit，foracleverergentlemanthanyouisnowheretobefound。Themisfortuneofusmuzhiksisthatwecannotprotectourselvesproperly。Thetavern-keeperssellussuchliquorthat，beforeamanknowswhereheis，aglassfulofithaseatenaholethroughhisstomach，andmadehimfeelasthoughhecoulddrinkapailofwater。Yes，itknocksamanoverbeforehecanlookaround。Everywheretemptationliesinwaitforthepeasant，andheneedstobecunningifheistogetthroughtheworldatall。Infact，thingsseemtobecontrivedfornothingbuttomakeuspeasantsloseourwits，eventothetobaccowhichtheysellus。Whatarefolklikeourselvestodo，ConstantineThedorovitch？I

tellyouitisterriblydifficultforamuzhiktolookafterhimself。“