第10章
“Listentome。Thisishowthingsaredonehere。WhenItakeonaserf，Ifithimoutwithacowandahorse。Ontheotherhand，I
demandofhimthereaftermorethanisdemandedofapeasantanywhereelse。Thatistosay，firstandforemostImakehimwork。Whetherapeasantbeworkingforhimselforforme，neverdoIlethimwastetime。Imyselftoillikeabullock，andIforcemypeasantstodothesame，forexperiencehastaughtmethatthatistheonlywaytogetthroughlife。Allthemischiefintheworldcomesthroughlackofemployment。Now，doyougoandconsiderthematter，andtalkitoverwithyourmir[8]。“
[8]Villagecommune。
“Wehavedonethatalready，ConstantineThedorovitch，andourelders"
opinionis："Thereisnoneedforfurthertalk。EverypeasantbelongingtoConstantineThedorovitchiswelloff，andhasn"ttoworkfornothing。Thepriestsofhisvillage，too，aremenofgoodheart，whereasourshavebeentakenaway，andthereisnoonetoburyus。"“
“Nevertheless，doyougoandtalkthematteroveragain。“
“Wewill，barin。“
Herethefactorwhohadbeenwalkingonthebarin"sothersideputinaword。
“ConstantineThedorovitch，“hesaid，“IbegofyoutodoasIhaverequested。“
“Ihavetoldyoubefore，“repliedthebarin，“thatIdonotcaretoplaythehuckster。Iamnotoneofthoselandownerswhomfellowsofyoursortvisitontheverydaythattheinterestonamortgageisdue。Ah，Iknowyourfraternitythoroughly，andknowthatyoukeeplistsofallwhohavemortgagestorepay。Butwhatistheresocleveraboutthat？Anyman，ifyoupinchhimsufficiently，willsurrenderyouamortgageathalf-price，——anyman，thatistosay，exceptmyself，whocarenothingforyourmoney。Werealoanofminetoremainoutthreeyears，Ishouldneverdemandakopeckofinterestonit。“
“Quiteso，ConstantineThedorovitch，“repliedthefactor。“ButIamaskingthisofyoumoreforthepurposeofestablishingusonabusinessfootingthanbecauseIdesiretowinyourfavour。Prey，therefore，acceptthisearnestmoneyofthreethousandroubles。“Andthemandrewfromhisbreastpocketadirtyrollofbank-notes，which，carelesslyreceiving，Kostanzhoglothrust，uncounted，intothebackpocketofhisovercoat。
“Hm！”thoughtChichikov。“Forallhecares，thenotesmighthavebeenahandkerchief。“
WhenKostanzhogloappearedatcloserquarters——thatistosay，inthedoorwayofthedrawing-room——hestruckChichikovmorethaneverwiththeswarthinessofhiscomplexion，thedishevelmentofhisblack，slightlygrizzledlocks，thealertnessofhiseye，andtheimpressionoffierysouthernoriginwhichhiswholepersonalitydiffused。ForhewasnotwhollyaRussian，norcouldhehimselfsaypreciselywhohisforefathershadbeen。Yet，inasmuchasheaccountedgenealogicalresearchnopartofthescienceofestate-management，butameresuperfluity，helookeduponhimselfas，toallintentsandpurposes，anativeofRussia，andthemoresosincetheRussianlanguagewastheonlytongueheknew。
PlatonpresentedChichikov，andthepairexchangedgreetings。
“Togetridofmydepression，Constantine，“continuedPlaton，“Iamthinkingofaccompanyingourguestonatourthroughafewoftheprovinces。“
“Anexcellentidea，“saidKostanzhoglo。“Butpreciselywhither？”headded，turninghospitablytoChichikov。
“Totellyouthetruth，“repliedthatpersonagewithanaffableinclinationoftheheadashesmoothedthearmofhischairwithhishand，“Iamtravellinglessonmyownaffairsthanontheaffairsofothers。Thatistosay，GeneralBetristchev，anintimatefriend，and，Imightadd，agenerousbenefactor，ofmine，haschargedmewithcommissionstosomeofhisrelatives。Nevertheless，thoughrelativesarerelatives，ImaysaythatIamtravellingonmyownaccountaswell，inthat，inadditiontopossiblebenefittomyhealth，Idesiretoseetheworldandthewhirligigofhumanity，whichconstitute，sotospeak，alivingbook，asecondcourseofeducation。“
“Yes，thereisnoharminlookingatothercornersoftheworldbesidesone"sown。“
“Youspeaktruly。ThereISnoharminsuchaproceeding。Therebyonemayseethingswhichonehasnotbeforeencountered，onemaymeetmenwithwhomonehasnotbeforecomeincontact。Andwithsomemenofthatkindaconversationisaspreciousabenefitashasbeenconferreduponmebythepresentoccasion。Icometoyou，mostworthyConstantineThedorovitch，forinstruction，andagainforinstruction，andbegofyoutoassuagemythirstwithanexpositionofthetruthasitis。Ihungerforthefavourofyourwordsasformanna。“
“Buthowso？Whatcan_I_teachyou？”exclaimedKostanzhogloinconfusion。“Imyselfwasgivenbuttheplainestofeducations。“
“Nay，mostworthysir，youpossesswisdom，andagainwisdom。Wisdomonlycandirectthemanagementofagreatestate，thatcanderiveasoundincomefromthesame，thatcanacquirewealthofareal，notafictitious，orderwhilealsofulfillingthedutiesofacitizenandtherebyearningtherespectoftheRussianpublic。AllthisIprayyoutoteachme。“
“Itellyouwhat，“saidKostanzhoglo，lookingmeditativelyathisguest。“Youhadbetterstaywithmeforafewdays，andduringthattimeIcanshowyouhowthingsaremanagedhere，andexplaintoyoueverything。Thenyouwillseeforyourselfthatnogreatwisdomisrequiredforthepurpose。“
“Yes，certainlyyoumuststayhere，“putintheladyofthehouse。
Then，turningtoherbrother，sheadded：“Andyoutoomuststay。Whyshouldyoubeinsuchahurry？”
“Verywell，“hereplied。“ButwhatsayYOU，PaulIvanovitch？”
“Isaythesameasyou，andwithmuchpleasure，“repliedChichikov。
“ButalsoIoughttotellyouthis：thatthereisarelativeofGeneralBetristchev"s，acertainColonelKoshkarev——“
“Yes，weknowhim；butheisquitemad。“
“Asyousay，heismad，andIshouldnothavebeenintendingtovisithim，wereitnotthatGeneralBetristchevisanintimatefriendofmine，aswellas，Imightadd，mymostgenerousbenefactor。“
“Then，“saidKostanzhoglo，“doyougoandseeColonelKoshkarevNOW。
Heliveslessthantenverstsfromhere，andIhaveagigalreadyharnessed。Gotohimatonce，andreturnherefortea。“
“Anexcellentidea！”criedChichikov，andwiththatheseizedhiscap。
Halfanhour"sdrivesufficedtobringhimtotheColonel"sestablishment。Thevillageattachedtothemanorwasinastateofutterconfusion，sinceineverydirectionbuildingandrepairingoperationswereinprogress，andthealleyswerechokedwithheapsoflime，bricks，andbeamsofwood。Also，someofthehutswerearrangedtoresembleoffices，andsuperscribedingiltletters“DepotforAgriculturalImplements，““ChiefOfficeofAccounts，““EstateWorksCommittee，““NormalSchoolfortheEducationofColonists，“andsoforth。
ChichikovfoundtheColonelpostedbehindadeskandholdingapenbetweenhisteeth。Withoutaninstant"sdelaythemasteroftheestablishment——whoseemedakindly，approachableman，andaccordedtohisvisitoraverycivilwelcome——plungedintoarecitalofthelabourwhichithadcosthimtobringthepropertytoitspresentconditionofaffluence。Thenhewentontolamentthefactthathecouldnotmakehispeasantryunderstandtheincentivestolabourwhichtherichesofscienceandartprovide；forinstance，hehadfailedtoinducehisfemaleserfstowearcorsets，whereasinGermany，wherehehadresidedforfourteenyears，everyhumblemiller"sdaughtercouldplaythepiano。Nonetheless，hesaid，hemeanttopegawayuntileverypeasantontheestateshould，ashewalkedbehindtheplough，indulgeinaregularcourseofreadingFranklin"sNotesonElectricity，Virgil"sGeorgics，orsomeworkonthechemicalpropertiesofsoil。
“Goodgracious！”mentallyexclaimedChichikov。“Why，ImyselfhavenothadtimetofinishthatbookbytheDuchessedelaValliere！”
MuchelsetheColonelsaid。Inparticulardidheaverthat，providedtheRussianpeasantcouldbeinducedtoarrayhimselfinGermancostume，sciencewouldprogress，tradeincrease，andtheGoldenAgedawninRussia。
ForawhileChichikovlistenedwithdistendedeyes。Thenhefeltconstrainedtointimatethatwithallthathehadnothingtodo，seeingthathisbusinesswasmerelytoacquireafewsouls，andthereaftertohavetheirpurchaseconfirmed。
“IfIunderstandyouaright，“saidtheColonel，“youwishtopresentaStatementofPlea？”
“Yes，thatisso。“
“Thenkindlyputitintowriting，anditshallbeforwardedtotheOfficefortheReceptionofReportsandReturns。ThereafterthatOfficewillconsiderit，andreturnittome，whowill，inturn，dispatchittotheEstateWorksCommittee，whowill，inturn，reviseit，andpresentittotheAdministrator，who，jointlywiththeSecretary，will——“
“Pardonme，“expostulatedChichikov，“butthatprocedurewilltakeupagreatdealoftime。WhyneedIputthematterintowritingatall？
Itissimplythis。Iwantafewsoulswhichare——well，whichare，sotospeak，dead。“
“Verygood，“commentedtheColonel。“DoyouwritedowninyourStatementofPleathatthesoulswhichyoudesireare，"sotospeak，dead。"“
“Butwhatwouldbetheuseofmydoingso？Thoughthesoulsaredead，mypurposerequiresthattheyshouldberepresentedasalive。“
“Verygood，“againcommentedtheColonel。“DoyouwritedowninyourStatementthat"itisnecessary"(or，shouldyoupreferanalternativephrase，"itisrequested，"or"itisdesiderated，"or"itisprayed，")
"thatthesoulsberepresentedasalive。"Atallevents，WITHOUT
documentaryprocessofthatkind，themattercannotpossiblybecarriedthrough。Also，IwillappointaCommissionertoguideyouroundthevariousOffices。“
Andhesoundedabell；whereupontherepresentedhimselfamanwhom，addressingas“Secretary，“theColonelinstructedtosummonthe“Commissioner。“Thelatter，onappearing，wasseentohavetheair，halfofapeasant，halfofanofficial。
“Thisman，“theColonelsaidtoChichikov，“willactasyourescort。“
WhatcouldbedonewithalunaticlikeKoshkarev？Intheend，curiositymovedChichikovtoaccompanytheCommissioner。TheCommitteefortheReceptionofReportsandReturnswasdiscoveredtohaveputupitsshutters，andtohavelockeditsdoors，forthereasonthattheDirectoroftheCommitteehadbeentransferredtothenewly-formedCommitteeofEstateManagement，andhissuccessorhadbeenannexedbythesameCommittee。Next，ChichikovandhisescortrappedatthedoorsoftheDepartmentofEstateAffairs；butthatDepartment"squartershappenedtobeinastateofrepair，andnoonecouldbemadetoanswerthesummonssaveadrunkenpeasantfromwhomnotawordofsensewastobeextracted。Atlengththeescortfelthimselfremovedtoremark：
“Thereisadealoffoolishnessgoingonhere。Fellowslikethatdrunkardleadthebarinbythenose，andeverythingisruledbytheCommitteeofManagement，whichtakesmenfromtheirproperwork，andsetsthemtodoanyotheritlikes。Indeed，onlythroughtheCommitteedoesANYTHINGgetdone。“
BythistimeChichikovfeltthathehadseenenough；whereforehereturnedtotheColonel，andinformedhimthattheOfficefortheReceptionofReportsandReturnshadceasedtoexist。AtoncetheColonelflamedtonoblerage。PressingChichikov"shandintokenofgratitudefortheinformationwhichtheguesthadfurnished，hetookpaperandpen，andnotedeightsearchingquestionsunderthreeseparateheadings：(1)“WhyhastheCommitteeofManagementpresumedtoissueorderstoofficialsnotunderitsjurisdiction？”(2)“WhyhastheChiefManagerpermittedhispredecessor，thoughstillinretentionofhispost，tofollowhimtoanotherDepartment？”and(3)“WhyhastheCommitteeofEstateAffairssufferedtheOfficefortheReceptionofReportsandReturnstolapse？”
“Nowforarow！”thoughtChichikovtohimself，andturnedtodepart；
buthishoststoppedhim，saying：
“Icannotletyougo，for，inadditiontomyhonourhavingbecomeinvolved，itbehovesmetoshowmypeoplehowtheregular，theorganised，administrationofanestatemaybeconducted。HerewithI
willhandovertheconductofyouraffairtoamanwhoisworthalltherestofthestaffputtogether，andhashadauniversityeducation。Also，thebettertolosenotime，mayIhumblybegyoutostepintomylibrary，whereyouwillfindnotebooks，paper，pens，andeverythingelsethatyoumayrequire。Ofthesearticlespraymakefulluse，foryouareagentlemanofletters，anditisyourandmyjointdutytobringenlightenmenttoall。“
Sosaying，heusheredhisguestintoalargeroomlinedfromfloortoceilingwithbooksandstuffedspecimens。Thebooksinquestionweredividedintosections——asectiononforestry，asectiononcattle-breeding，asectionontheraisingofswine，andasectiononhorticulture，togetherwithspecialjournalsofthetypecirculatedmerelyforthepurposesofreference，andnotforgeneralreading。
Perceivingthattheseworkswerescarcelyofakindcalculatedtowhileawayanidlehour，Chichikovturnedtoasecondbookcase。Buttodosowastofalloutofthefrying-panintothefire，forthecontentsofthesecondbookcaseprovedtobeworksonphilosophy，while，inparticular，sixhugevolumesconfrontedhimunderalabelinscribed“APreparatoryCoursetotheProvinceofThought，withtheTheoryofCommunityofEffort，Co-operation，andSubsistence，initsApplicationtoaRightUnderstandingoftheOrganicPrinciplesofaMutualDivisionofSocialProductivity。“Indeed，wheresoeverChichikovlooked，everypagepresentedtohisvisionsomesuchwordsas“phenomenon，““development，““abstract，““contents，“and“synopsis。“
“Thisisnotthesortofthingforme，“hemurmured，andturnedhisattentiontoathirdbookcase，whichcontainedbooksontheArts。
Extractingahugetomeinwhichsomebynomeansreticentmythologicalillustrationswerecontained，hesethimselftoexaminethesepictures。Theywereofthekindwhichpleasesmostlymiddle-agedbachelorsandoldmenwhoareaccustomedtoseekintheballetandsimilarfrivolitiesafurtherspurtotheirwaningpassions。Havingconcludedhisexamination，ChichikovhadjustextractedanothervolumeofthesamespecieswhenColonelKoshkarevreturnedwithadocumentofsomesortandaradiantcountenance。
“Everythinghasbeencarriedthroughindueform！”hecried。“ThemanwhomImentionedisageniusindeed，andIintendnotonlytopromotehimovertherest，butalsotocreateforhimaspecialDepartment。
Herewithshallyouhearwhatasplendidintellectishis，andhowinafewminuteshehasputthewholeaffairinorder。“
“MaytheLordbethankedforthat！”thoughtChichikov。ThenhesettledhimselfwhiletheColonelreadaloud：
“"AftergivingfullconsiderationtotheReferencewhichyourExcellencyhasentrustedtome，Ihavethehonourtoreportasfollows：
“"(1)IntheStatementofPleapresentedbyonePaulIvanovitchChichikov，Gentleman，Chevalier，andCollegiateCouncillor，therelurksanerror，inthatanoversighthasledthePetitionertoapplytoRevisionalSoulstheterm“Dead。“Now，fromthecontextitwouldappearthatbythistermthePetitionerdesirestosignifySoulsApproachingDeathratherthanSoulsActuallyDeceased：whereforethetermemployedbetrayssuchanempiricalinstructioninlettersasmust，beyonddoubt，havebeenconfinedtotheVillageSchool，seeingthatintruththeSoulisDeathless。"
“Therascal！”Koshkarevbrokeofftoexclaimdelightedly。“Hehasgotyouthere，MonsieurChichikov。Andyouwilladmitthathehasasufficientlyincisivepen？
“"(2)OnthisEstatethereexistnoUnmortgagedSoulswhatsoever，whetherApproachingDeathorOtherwise；forthereasonthatallSoulsthereonhavebeenpledgednotonlyunderaFirstDeedofMortgage，butalso(forthesumofOneHundredandFiftyRoublesperSoul)underaSecond，——thevillageofGurmailovkaaloneexcepted，inthat，inconsequenceofaSuithavingbeenbroughtagainstLandownerPriadistchev，andofacaveathavingbeenpronouncedbytheLandCourt，andofsuchcaveathavingbeenpublishedinNo。42oftheGazetteofMoscow，thesaidVillagehascomewithintheJurisdictionoftheCourtAbove-Mentioned。“
“Whydidyounottellmeallthisbefore？”criedChichikovfuriously。
“Whyyouhavekeptmedancingaboutfornothing？”
“Becauseitwasabsolutelynecessarythatyoushouldviewthematterthroughformsofdocumentaryprocess。Thisisnojestonmypart。Theinexperiencedmayseethingssubconsciously，yetisimperativethatheshouldalsoseethemCONSCIOUSLY。“
ButtoChichikov"spatienceanendhadcome。Seizinghiscap，andcastingallceremonytothewinds，hefledfromthehouse，andrushedthroughthecourtyard。Asithappened，themanwhohaddrivenhimthitherhad，warnedbyexperience，nottroubledeventotakeoutthehorses，sinceheknewthatsuchaproceedingwouldhaveentailednotonlythepresentationofaStatementofPleaforfodder，butalsoadelayoftwenty-fourhoursuntiltheResolutiongrantingthesameshouldhavebeenpassed。NeverthelesstheColonelpursuedhisguesttothegates，andpressedhishandwarmlyashethankedhimforhavingenabledhim(theColonel)thustoexhibitinoperationthepropermanagementofanestate。Also，hebeggedtostatethat，underthecircumstances，itwasabsolutelynecessarytokeepthingsmovingandcirculating，since，otherwise，slacknesswasapttosupervene，andtheworkingofthemachinetogrowrustyandfeeble；butthat，inspiteofall，thepresentoccasionhadinspiredhimwithahappyidea——namely，theideaofinstitutingaCommitteewhichshouldbeentitled“TheCommitteeofSupervisionoftheCommitteeofManagement，“andwhichshouldhaveforitsfunctionthedetectionofbackslidersamongthebodyfirstmentioned。
Itwaslatewhen，tiredanddissatisfied，ChichikovregainedKostanzhoglo"smansion。Indeed，thecandleshadlongbeenlit。
“Whathasdelayedyou？”askedthemasterofthehouseasChichikoventeredthedrawing-room。
“Yes，whathaskeptyouandtheColonelsolonginconversationtogether？”addedPlaton。
“This——thefactthatneverinmylifehaveIcomeacrosssuchanimbecile，“wasChichikov"sreply。
“Nevermind，“saidKostanzhoglo。“Koshkarevisamostreassuringphenomenon。Heisnecessaryinthatinhimweseeexpressedincaricatureallthemorecryingfolliesofourintellectuals——oftheintellectualswho，withoutfirsttroublingtomakethemselvesacquaintedwiththeirowncountry，borrowsillinessfromabroad。Yetthatishowcertainofourlandownersarenowcarryingon。Theyhavesetup"offices"andfactoriesandschoolsand"commissions，"andthedevilknowswhatelsebesides。Afinelotofwiseacres！AftertheFrenchWarin1812theyhadtoreconstructtheiraffairs：andseehowtheyhavedoneit！YetsomuchworsehavetheydoneitthanaFrenchmanwouldhavedonethatanyfoolofaPeterPetrovitchPietukhnowranksasagoodlandowner！”
“Buthehasmortgagedthewholeofhisestate？”remarkedChichikov。
“Yes，nowadayseverythingisbeingmortgaged，orisgoingtobe。“Thissaid，Kostanzhoglo"stemperrosestillfurther。“Outuponyourfactoriesofhatsandcandles！”hecried。“Outuponprocuringcandle-makersfromLondon，andthenturninglandownersintohucksters！
TothinkofaRussianpomiestchik[9]，amemberofthenoblestofcallings，conductingworkshopsandcottonmills！Why，itisforthewenchesoftownstohandleloomsformuslinandlace。“
[9]Landowner。
“Butyouyourselfmaintainworkshops？”remarkedPlaton。
“Ido；butwhoestablishedthem？Theyestablishedthemselves。Forinstance，woolhadaccumulated，andsinceIhadnowheretostoreit，I
begantoweaveitintocloth——but，markyou，onlyintogood，plainclothofwhichIcandisposeatacheaprateinthelocalmarkets，andwhichisneededbypeasants，includingmyown。Again，forsixyearsonenddidthefishfactorieskeepdumpingtheiroffalonmybankoftheriver；wherefore，atlast，astherewasnothingtobedonewithit，I
tooktoboilingitintoglue，andclearedfortythousandroublesbytheprocess。“
“Thedevil！”thoughtChichikovtohimselfashestaredathishost。
“Whatafistthismanhasformakingmoney！”
“AnotherreasonwhyIstartedthosefactories，“continuedKostanzhoglo，“isthattheymightgiveemploymenttomanypeasantswhowouldotherwisehavestarved。Yousee，theyearhappenedtohavebeenaleanone——thankstothosesameindustry-mongeringlandowners，inthattheyhadneglectedtosowtheircrops；andnowmyfactorieskeepgrowingattherateofafactoryayear，owingtothecircumstancethatsuchquantitiesofremnantsandcuttingsbecomesoaccumulatedthat，ifamanlookscarefullytohismanagement，hewillfindeverysortofrubbishtobecapableofbringinginareturn——yes，tothepointofhishavingtorejectmoneyonthepleathathehasnoneedofit。YetIdonotfindthattodoallthisIrequiretobuildamansionwithfacadesandpillars！”
“Marvellous！”exclaimedChichikov。“Beyondallthingsdoesitsurprisemethatrefusecanbesoutilised。“
“Yes，andthatiswhatcanbedonebySIMPLEmethods。Butnowadayseveryoneisamechanic，andwantstoopenthatmoneychestwithaninstrumentinsteadofsimply。ForthatpurposehehieshimtoEngland。
Yes，THATisthethingtodo。Whatfolly！”Kostanzhoglospatandadded：“Yetwhenhereturnsfromabroadheisahundredtimesmoreignorantthanwhenhewent。“
“Ah，Constantine，“putinhiswifeanxiously，“youknowhowbadforyouitistotalklikethis。“
“Yes，buthowamItohelplosingmytemper？Thethingtouchesmetooclosely，itvexesmetoodeeplytothinkthattheRussiancharactershouldbedegenerating。ForinthatcharactertherehasdawnedasortofQuixotismwhichneverusedtobethere。Yes，nosoonerdoesamangetalittleeducationintohisheadthanhebecomesaDonQuixote，andestablishesschoolsonhisestatesuchasevenamadmanwouldneverhavedreamedof。Andfromthatschoolthereissuesaworkmanwhoisgoodfornothing，whetherinthecountryorinthetown——afellowwhodrinksandisforeverstandingonhisdignity。Yetstillourlandownerskeeptakingtophilanthropy，toconvertingthemselvesintophilanthropicknights-errant，andspendingmillionsuponsenselesshospitalsandinstitutions，andsoruiningthemselvesandturningtheirfamiliesadrift。Yes，thatisallthatcomesofphilanthropy。“
Chichikov"sbusinesshadnothingtodowiththespreadofenlightenment，hewasbutseekinganopportunitytoinquirefurtherconcerningtheputtingofrefusetolucrativeuses；butKostanzhoglowouldnotlethimgetawordinedgeways，soirresistiblydidtheflowofsarcasticcommentpourfromthespeaker"slips。
“Yes，“wentonKostanzhoglo，“folkarealwaysschemingtoeducatethepeasant。Butfirstmakehimwell-offandagoodfarmer。THENhewilleducatehimselffastenough。Asthingsarenow，theworldhasgrownstupidtoadegreethatpassesbelief。Lookatthestuffourpresent-dayscribblerswrite！Letanysortofabookbepublished，andatonceyouwillseeeveryonemakingarushforit。Similarlywillyoufindfolksaying："Thepeasantleadsanover-simplelife。Heoughttobefamiliarisedwithluxuries，andsoledtoyearnforthingsabovehisstation。"Andtheresultofsuchluxurieswillbethatthepeasantwillbecomearagratherthanaman，andsufferfromthedevilonlyknowswhatdiseases，untiltherewillremaininthelandnotaboyofeighteenwhowillnothaveexperiencedthewholegamutofthem，andfoundhimselfleftwithnotatoothinhisjawsorahaironhispate。
Yes，thatiswhatwillcomeofinfectingthepeasantwithsuchrubbish。But，thankGod，thereisstillonehealthyclasslefttous——aclasswhichhasnevertakenupwiththe"advantages"ofwhichI
speak。Forthatweoughttobegrateful。Andsince，evenyet，theRussianagriculturistremainsthemostrespect-worthymanintheland，whyshouldhebetouched？WouldtoGodeveryonewereanagriculturist！”
“Thenyoubelieveagriculturetobethemostprofitableofoccupations？”saidChichikov。
“Thebest，atallevents——ifnotthemostprofitable。"Inthesweatofthybrowshaltthoutilltheland。"Toquotethatrequiresnogreatwisdom，fortheexperienceofageshasshownusthat，intheagriculturalcalling，manhaseverremainedmoremoral，morepure，morenoblethaninanyother。OfcourseIdonotmeantoimplythatnoothercallingoughttobepractised：simplythatthecallinginquestionliesattherootofalltherest。Howevermuchfactoriesmaybeestablishedprivatelyorbythelaw，therewillstillliereadytoman"shandallthatheneeds——hewillstillrequirenoneofthoseamenitieswhicharesappingthevitalityofourpresent-dayfolk，noranyofthoseindustrialestablishmentswhichmaketheirprofit，andkeepthemselvesgoing，bycausingfoolishmeasurestobeadoptedwhich，intheend，areboundtodepraveandcorruptourunfortunatemasses。Imyselfamdeterminednevertoestablishanymanufacture，howeverprofitable，whichwillgiverisetoademandfor"higherthings，"suchassugarandtobacco——nonotifIloseamillionbymyrefusingtodoso。IfcorruptionMUSTovertaketheMIR，itshallnotbethroughmyhands。AndIthinkthatGodwilljustifymeinmyresolve。TwentyyearshaveIlivedamongthecommonfolk，andIknowwhatwillinevitablycomeofsuchthings。“
“Butwhatsurprisesmemost，“persistedChichikov，“isthatfromrefuseitshouldbepossible，withgoodmanagement，tomakesuchanimmensityofprofit。“
“Andasforpoliticaleconomy，“continuedKostanzhoglo，withoutnoticinghim，andwithhisfacechargedwithbilioussarcasm，“——asforpoliticaleconomy，itisafinethingindeed。Justonefoolsittingonanotherfool"sback，andflogginghimalong，eventhoughtheridercanseenofurtherthanhisownnose！Yetintothesaddlewillthatfoolclimb——spectaclesandall！Oh，thefolly，thefollyofsuchthings！”Andthespeakerspatderisively。
“Thatmaybetrue，“saidhiswife。“Yetyoumustnotgetangryaboutit。Surelyonecanspeakonsuchsubjectswithoutlosingone"stemper？”
“AsIlistentoyou，mostworthyConstantineThedorovitch，“Chichikovhastenedtoremark，“itbecomesplaintomethatyouhavepenetratedintothemeaningoflife，andlaidyourfingerupontheessentialrootofthematter。Yetsupposing，foramoment，weleavetheaffairsofhumanityingeneral，andturnourattentiontoapurelyindividualaffair，mightIaskyouhow，inthecaseofamanbecomingalandowner，andhavingamindtogrowwealthyasquicklyaspossible(inorderthathemayfulfilhisboundenobligationsasacitizen)，hecanbestsetaboutit？”
“Howhecanbestsetaboutgrowingwealthy？”repeatedKostanzhoglo。
“Why，——“
“Letusgotosupper，“interruptedtheladyofthehouse，risingfromherchair，andmovingtowardsthecentreoftheroom，whereshewrappedhershiveringyoungforminashawl。Chichikovsprangupwiththealacrityofamilitaryman，offeredherhisarm，andescortedher，asonparade，tothedining-room，whereawaitingthemtherewasthesoup-toureen。Fromitthelidhadjustbeenremoved，andtheroomwasredolentofthefragrantodourofearlyspringrootsandherbs。Thecompanytooktheirseats，andatoncetheservantsplacedtheremainderofthedishes(undercovers)uponthetableandwithdrew，forKostanzhoglohatedtohaveservantslisteningtotheiremployers"
conversation，andobjectedstillmoretotheirstaringathimallthewhilethathewaseating。
Whenthesouphadbeenconsumed，andglassesofanexcellentvintageresemblingHungarianwinehadbeenpouredout，Chichikovsaidtohishost：
“Mostworthysir，allowmeoncemoretodirectyourattentiontothesubjectofwhichwewerespeakingatthepointwhentheconversationbecameinterrupted。YouwillrememberthatIwasaskingyouhowbestamancansetabout，proceedin，thematterofgrowing……“
[Herefromtheoriginaltwopagesaremissing。]……“Apropertyforwhich，hadheaskedfortythousand，Ishouldstillhavedemandedareduction。“
“Hm！”thoughtChichikov；thenaddedaloud：“Butwhydoyounotpurchaseityourself？”
“Becausetoeverythingtheremustbeassignedalimit。Alreadymypropertykeepsmesufficientlyemployed。Moreover，IshouldcauseourlocaldvorianetobegincryingoutinchorusthatIamexploitingtheirextremities，theirruinedposition，forthepurposeofacquiringlandforunderitsvalue。OfthatIamweary。“
“Howreadilyfolkspeakevil！”exclaimedChichikov。
“Yes，andtheamountofevil-speakinginourprovincesurpassesbelief。Neverwillyouhearmynamementionedwithoutmybeingcalledalsoamiserandausureroftheworstpossiblesort；whereasmyaccusersjustifythemselvesineverything，andsaythat，"thoughwehavewastedourmoney，wehavestartedademandforthehigheramenitiesoflife，andthereforeencouragedindustrywithourwastefulness，afarbetterwayofdoingthingsthanthatpractisedbyKostanzhoglo，wholiveslikeapig。"“
“Would_I_couldliveinyour"piggish"fashion！”ejaculatedChichikov。
“Andsoforth，andsoforth。Yetwhatarethe"higheramenitiesoflife"？Whatgoodcantheydotoanyone？Evenifalandownerofthedaysetsupalibrary，heneverlooksatasinglebookinit，butsoonrelapsesintocard-playing——theusualpursuit。YetfolkcallmenamessimplybecauseIdonotwastemymeansuponthegivingofdinners！OnereasonwhyIdonotgivesuchdinnersisthattheywearyme；andanotherreasonisthatIamnotusedtothem。Butcomeyoutomyhouseforthepurposeoftakingpotluck，andIshallbedelightedtoseeyou。Also，folkfoolishlysaythatIlendmoneyoninterest；whereasthetruthisthatifyoushouldcometomewhenyouarereallyinneed，andshouldexplaintomeopenlyhowyouproposetoemploymymoney，andIshouldperceivethatyouarepurposingtousethatmoneywisely，andthatyouarereallylikelytoprofitthereby——well，inthatcaseyouwouldfindmereadytolendyouallthatyoumightaskwithoutinterestatall。“
“Thatisathingwhichitiswelltoknow，“reflectedChichikov。
“Yes，“repeatedKostanzhoglo，“underthosecircumstancesIshouldneverrefuseyoumyassistance。ButIdoobjecttothrowingmymoneytothewinds。Pardonmeforexpressingmyselfsoplainly。Tothinkoflendingmoneytoamanwhoismerelydevisingadinnerforhismistress，orplanningtofurnishhishouselikealunatic，orthinkingoftakinghisparamourtoamaskedballorajubileeinhonourofsomeonewhohadbetterneverhavebeenborn！”
And，spitting，hecameneartoventingsomeexpressionwhichwouldscarcelyhavebeenbecominginthepresenceofhiswife。Overhisfacethedarkshadowofhypochondriahadcastacloud，andfurrowshadformedonhisbrowandtemples，andhiseverygesturebespoketheinfluenceofahot，nervousrancour。
“Butallowmeoncemoretodirectyourattentiontothesubjectofourrecentlyinterruptedconversation，“persistedChichikovashesippedaglassofexcellentraspberrywine。“Thatistosay，supposingIweretoacquirethepropertywhichyouhavebeengoodenoughtobringtomynotice，howlongwouldittakemetogrowrich？”
“Thatwoulddependonyourself，“repliedKostanzhoglowithgrimabruptnessandevidentill-humour。“Youmighteithergrowrichquicklyoryoumightnevergrowrichatall。Ifyoumadeupyourmindtogrowrich，soonerorlateryouwouldfindyourselfawealthyman。“
“Indeed？”ejaculatedChichikov。
“Yes，“repliedKostanzhoglo，assharplyasthoughhewereangrywithChichikov。“Youwouldmerelyneedtobefondofwork：otherwiseyouwouldeffectnothing。Themainthingistolikelookingafteryourproperty。Believeme，youwouldnevergrowwearyofdoingso。Peoplewouldhaveitthatlifeinthecountryisdull；whereas，ifIweretospendasingledayasitisspentbysomefolk，withtheirstupidclubsandtheirrestaurantsandtheirtheatres，Ishoulddieofennui。
Thefools，theidiots，thegenerationsofblinddullards！Butalandownerneverfindsthedayswearisome——hehasnotthetime。Inhislifenotamomentremainsunoccupied；itisfulltothebrim。Andwithitallgoesanendlessvarietyofoccupations。Andwhatoccupations！
Occupationswhichgenuinelyupliftthesoul，seeingthatthelandownerwalkswithnatureandtheseasonsoftheyear，andtakespartin，andisintimatewith，everythingwhichisevolvedbycreation。Forletuslookattheroundoftheyear"slabours。Evenbeforespringhasarrivedtherewillhavebegunageneralwatchingandawaitingforit，andapreparingforsowing，andanapportioningofcrops，andameasuringofseedgrainbybyres，anddryingofseed，andadividingoftheworkersintoteams。Foreverythingneedstobeexaminedbeforehand，andcalculationsmustbemadeattheverystart。Andassoonasevertheiceshallhavemelted，andtheriversbeflowing，andthelandhavedriedsufficientlytobeworkable，thespadewillbeginitstaskinkitchenandflowergarden，andtheploughandtheharrowtheirtasksinthefield；untileverywheretherewillbetillingandsowingandplanting。Anddoyouunderstandwhatthesumofthatlabourwillmean？Itwillmeanthattheharvestisbeingsown，thatthewelfareoftheworldisbeingsown，thatthefoodofmillionsisbeingputintotheearth。Andthereafterwillcomesummer，theseasonofreaping，endlessreaping；forsuddenlythecropswillhaveripened，andrye-sheafwillbelyingheapeduponrye-sheaf，with，elsewhere，stocksofbarley，andofoats，andofwheat。Andeverythingwillbeteemingwithlife，andnotamomentwillthereneedtobelost，seeingthat，hadyoueventwentyeyes，youwouldhaveneedforthemall。Andaftertheharvestfestivitiestherewillbegraintobecartedtobyreorstackedinricks，andstorestobepreparedforthewinter，andstorehousesandkilnsandcattle-shedstobecleanedforthesamepurpose，andthewomentobeassignedtheirtasks，andthetotalsofeverythingtobecalculated，sothatonemayseethevalueofwhathasbeendone。Andlastlywillcomewinter，whenineverythreshing-floortheflailwillbeworking，andthegrain，whenthreshed，willneedtobecarriedfrombarntobinn，andthemillsrequiretobeseento，andtheestatefactoriestobeinspected，andtheworkmen"shutstobevisitedforthepurposeofascertaininghowthemuzhikisfaring(for，givenacarpenterwhoiscleverwithhistools，I，forone，amonlytoogladtospendanhourortwoinhiscompany，socheeringtomeislabour)。Andif，inaddition，onediscernstheendtowhicheverythingismoving，andthemannerinwhichthethingsofearthareeverywheremultiplyingandmultiplying，andbringingforthmoreandmorefruittoone"sprofiting，Icannotadequatelyexpresswhattakesplaceinaman"ssoul。Andthat，notbecauseofthegrowthinhiswealth——moneyismoneyandnomore——butbecausehewillfeelthateverythingistheworkofhisownhands，andthathehasbeenthecauseofeverything，anditscreator，andthatfromhim，asfromamagician，therehasflowedbountyandgoodnessforall。Inwhatothercallingwillyoufindsuchdelightsinprospect？”Ashespoke，Kostanzhogloraisedhisface，anditbecameclearthatthewrinkleshadfledfromit，andthat，liketheTsaronthesolemndayofhiscrowning，Kostanzhoglo"swholeformwasdiffusinglight，andhisfeatureshadinthemagentleradiance。“Inalltheworld，“herepeated，“youwillfindnojoyslikethese，forhereinmanimitatestheGodwhoprojectedcreationasthesupremehappiness，andnowdemandsofmanthathe，too，shouldactasthecreatorofprosperity。Yettherearefolkwhocallsuchfunctionstedious！”
Kostanzhoglo"smellifluousperiodsfelluponChichikov"searlikethenotesofabirdofparadise。Fromtimetotimehegulped，andhissoftenedeyesexpressedthepleasurewhichitgavehimtolisten。
“Constantine，itistimetoleavethetable，“saidtheladyofthehouse，risingfromherseat。Everyonefollowedherexample，andChichikovonceagainactedashishostess"sescort——althoughwithlessdexterityofdeportmentthanbefore，owingtothefactthatthistimehisthoughtswereoccupiedwithmoreessentialmattersofprocedure。
“Inspiteofwhatyousay，“remarkedPlatonashewalkedbehindthepair，“I，formypart，findthesethingswearisome。“
Butthemasterofthehousepaidnoattentiontohisremark，forhewasreflectingthathisguestwasnofool，butamanofseriousthoughtandspeechwhodidnottakethingslightly。And，withthethought，Kostanzhoglogrewlighterinsoul，asthoughhehadwarmedhimselfwithhisownwords，andwereexultinginthefactthathehadfoundsomeonecapableoflisteningtogoodadvice。
Whentheyhadsettledthemselvesinthecosy，candle-lighteddrawing-room，withitsbalconyandtheglassdooropeningoutintothegarden——adoorthroughwhichthestarscouldbeseenglitteringamidtheslumberingtopsofthetrees——Chichikovfeltmorecomfortablethanhehaddoneformanyadaypast。Itwasasthough，afterlongjourneying，hisownroof-treehadreceivedhimoncemore——hadreceivedhimwhenhisquesthadbeenaccomplished，whenallthathewishedforhadbeengained，whenhistravelling-staffhadbeenlaidasidewiththewords“Itisfinished。“Andofthisseductiveframeofmindthetruesourcehadbeentheeloquentdiscourseofhishospitablehost。
Yes，foreverymanthereexistcertainthingswhich，instantlythattheyaresaid，seemtotouchhimmoreclosely，moreintimately，thananythinghasdonebefore。Norisitanuncommonoccurrencethatinthemostunexpectedfashion，andinthemostretiredofretreats，onewillsuddenlycomefacetofacewithamanwhoseburningperiodswillleadonetoforgetoneselfandthetracklessnessoftherouteandthediscomfortofone"snightlyhalting-places，andthefutilityofcrazesandthefalsenessoftricksbywhichonehumanbeingdeceivesanother。
Andatoncetherewillbecomeengravenuponone"smemory——vividly，andforalltime——theeveningthusspent。Andofthateveningone"sremembrancewillholdtrue，bothastowhowaspresent，andwhereeachsuchpersonsat，andwhatheorshewaswearing，andwhatthewallsandthestoveandothertriflingfeaturesoftheroomlookedlike。
InthesamewaydidChichikovnoteeachdetailthatevening——boththeappointmentsoftheagreeable，butnotluxuriouslyfurnished，room，andthegood-humouredexpressionwhichreignedonthefaceofthethoughtfulhost，andthedesignofthecurtains，andtheamber-mountedpipesmokedbyPlaton，andthewayinwhichhekeptpuffingsmokeintothefatjowlofthedogYarb，andthesneezewhich，oneachsuchoccasion，Yarbvented，andthelaughterofthepleasant-facedhostess(thoughalwaysfollowedbythewords“Praydonotteasehimanymore“)
andthecheerfulcandle-light，andthecricketchirpinginacorner，andtheglassdoor，andthespringnightwhich，layingitselbowsuponthetree-tops，andspangledwithstars，andvocalwiththenightingaleswhichwerepouringforthwarbleddittiesfromtherecessesofthefoliage，keptglancingthroughthedoor，andregardingthecompanywithin。
“Howitdelightsmetohearyourwords，goodConstantineThedorovitch！”saidChichikov。“Indeed，nowhereinRussiahaveImetwithamanofequalintellect。“
Kostanzhoglosmiled，whilerealisingthatthecomplimentwasscarcelydeserved。
“IfyouwantamanofGENUINEintellect，“hesaid，“Icantellyouofone。Heisamanwhosebootsolesareworthmorethanmywholebody。“
“Whomayhebe？”askedChichikovinastonishment。
“Murazov，ourlocalCommissionerofTaxes。“
“Ah！Ihaveheardofhimbefore，“remarkedChichikov。
“Heisamanwho，werehenotthedirectorofanestate，mightwellbeadirectoroftheEmpire。AndweretheEmpireundermydirection，I
shouldatonceappointhimmyMinisterofFinance。“
“Ihaveheardtalesbeyondbeliefconcerninghim——forinstance，thathehasacquiredtenmillionroubles。“
“Ten？Morethanforty。SoonhalfRussiawillbeinhishands。“
“Youdon"tsayso？”criedChichikovinamazement。
“Yes，certainly。Themanwhohasonlyahundredthousandroublestoworkwithgrowsrichbutslowly，whereashewhohasmillionsathisdisposalcanoperateoveragreaterradius，andsobackwhatsoeverheundertakeswithtwiceorthricethemoneywhichcanbebroughtagainsthim。Consequentlyhisfieldbecomessospaciousthatheendsbyhavingnorivals。Yes，noonecancompetewithhim，and，whatsoeverpricehemayfixforagivencommodity，atthatpriceitwillhavetoremain，norwillanymanbeabletooutbidit。“
“MyGod！”mutteredChichikov，crossinghimself，andstaringatKostanzhoglowithhisbreathcatchinginhisthroat。“Themindcannotgraspit——itpetrifiesone"sthoughtswithawe。YouseefolkmarvellingatwhatSciencehasachievedinthematterofinvestigatingthehabitsofcowbugs，buttomeitisafarmoremarvellousthingthatinthehandsofasinglemortaltherecanbecomeaccumulatedsuchgiganticsumsofmoney。ButmayIaskwhetherthegreatfortuneofwhichyouspeakhasbeenacquiredthroughhonestmeans？”
“Yes；throughmeansofthemostirreproachablekind——throughthemosthonourableofmethods。“
“YetsoimprobabledoesitseemthatIcanscarcelybelieveit。
ThousandsIcouldunderstand，butmillions——！”
“Onthecontrary，tomakethousandshonestlyisafarmoredifficultmatterthantomakemillions。Millionsareeasilycomeby，foramillionairehasnoneedtoresorttocrookedways；thewayliesstraightbeforehim，andheneedsbuttoannexwhatsoeverhecomesacross。Norivalwillspringuptoopposehim，fornorivalwillbesufficientlystrong，andsincethemillionairecanoperateoveranextensiveradius，hecanbring(asIhavesaid)twoorthreeroublestobearuponanyoneelse"sone。Consequently，whatinterestwillhederivefromathousandroubles？Why，tenortwentypercent。attheleast。“
“Anditisbeyondmeasuremarvellousthatthewholeshouldhavestartedfromasinglekopeck。“
“Haditstartedotherwise，thethingcouldneverhavebeendoneatall。Suchisthenormalcourse。Hewhoisbornwiththousands，andisbroughtuptothousands，willneveracquireasinglekopeckmore，forhewillhavebeensetupwiththeamenitiesoflifeinadvance，andsonevercometostandinneedofanything。Itisnecessarytobeginfromthebeginningratherthanfromthemiddle；fromakopeckratherthanfromarouble；fromthebottomratherthanfromthetop。Foronlythuswillamangettoknowthemenandconditionsamongwhichhiscareerwillhavetobecarved。Thatistosay，throughencounteringtheroughandthetumbleoflife，andthroughlearningthateverykopeckhastobebeatenoutwithathree-kopecknail，andthroughworstingknaveafterknave，hewillacquiresuchadegreeofperspicuityandwarinessthathewillerrinnothingwhichhemaytackle，andnevercometoruin。Believeme，itisso。Thebeginning，andnotthemiddle，istherightstartingpoint。Noonewhocomestomeandsays，"Givemeahundredthousandroubles，andIwillgrowrichinnotime，"doIbelieve，forheislikelytomeetwithfailureratherthanwiththesuccessofwhichheissoassured。"Tiswithakopeck，andwithakopeckonly，thatamanmustbegin。“
“Ifthatisso，_I_shallgrowrich，“saidChichikov，involuntarilyrememberingthedeadsouls。“Forofasurety_I_beganwithnothing。“
“Constantine，prayallowPaulIvanovitchtoretiretorest，“putintheladyofthehouse。“Itishightime，andIamsureyouhavetalkedenough。“
“Yes，beyondadoubtyouwillgrowrich，“continuedKostanzhoglo，withoutheedinghiswife。“Fortowardsyoutherewillrunriversandriversofgold，untilyouwillnotknowwhattodowithallyourgains。“
Asthoughspellbound，Chichikovsatinanaureateworldofever-growingdreamsandfantasies。Allhisthoughtswereinawhirl，andonacarpetoffuturewealthhistumultuousimaginationwasweavinggoldenpatterns，whileeverinhisearswereringingthewords，“towardsyoutherewillrunriversandriversofgold。“
“Really，Constantine，DOallowPaulIvanovitchtogotobed。“
“Whatonearthisthematter？”retortedthemasterofthehouseholdtestily。“Praygoyourselfifyouwishto。“Thenhestoppedshort，forthesnoringofPlatonwasfillingthewholeroom，andalso——outrivallingit——thatofthedogYarb。ThiscausedKostanzhoglotorealisethatbedtimereallyhadarrived；wherefore，afterhehadshakenPlatonoutofhisslumbers，andbiddenChichikovgoodnight，alldispersedtotheirseveralchambers，andbecameplungedinsleep。
All，thatistosay，exceptChichikov，whosethoughtsremainedwakeful，andwhokeptwonderingandwonderinghowbesthecouldbecometheowner，notofafictitious，butofareal，estate。Theconversationwithhishosthadmadeeverythingclear，hadmadethepossibilityofhisacquiringrichesmanifest，hadmadethedifficultartofestatemanagementatonceeasyandunderstandable；untilitwouldseemasthoughparticularlywashisnatureadaptedformasteringtheartinquestion。Allthathewouldneedtodowouldbetomortgagethedeadsouls，andthentosetupagenuineestablishment。AlreadyhesawhimselfactingandadministeringasKostanzhoglohadadvisedhim——energetically，andthroughpersonaloversight，andundertakingnothingnewuntiltheoldhadbeenthoroughlylearned，andviewingeverythingwithhisowneyes，andmakinghimselffamiliarwitheachmemberofhispeasantry，andabjuringallsuperfluities，andgivinghimselfuptohardworkandhusbandry。Yes，alreadycouldhetastethepleasurewhichwouldbehiswhenhehadbuiltupacompleteindustrialorganisation，andthespringsoftheindustrialmachinewereinvigorousworkingorder，andeachhadbecomeabletoreinforcetheother。Labourshouldbekeptinactiveoperation，and，evenas，inamill，flourcomesflowingfromgrain，soshouldcash，andyetmorecash，comeflowingfromeveryatomofrefuseandremnant。AndallthewhilehecouldseebeforehimthelandownerwhowasoneoftheleadingmeninRussia，andforwhomhehadconceivedsuchanunboundedrespect。HithertoonlyforrankorforopulencehadChichikovrespectedaman——neverformereintellectualpower；butnowhemadeafirstexceptioninfavourofKostanzhoglo，seeingthathefeltthatnothingundertakenbyhishostcouldpossiblycometonaught。AndanotherprojectwhichwasoccupyingChichikov"smindwastheprojectofpurchasingtheestateofacertainlandownernamedKhlobuev。
AlreadyChichikovhadathisdisposaltenthousandroubles，andafurtherfifteenthousandhewouldtryandborrowofKostanzhoglo(seeingthatthelatterhadhimselfsaidthathewaspreparedtohelpanyonewhoreallydesiredtogrowrich)；while，asfortheremainder，hewouldeitherraisethesumbymortgagingtheestateorforceKhlobuevtowaitforit——justtotellhimtoresorttothecourtsifsuchmightbehispleasure。
Longdidourheroponderthescheme；untilatlengththeslumberwhichhad，thesefourhourspast，beenholdingtherestofthehouseholdinitsembracesenfoldedalsoChichikov，andhesankintooblivion。
CHAPTERIV
Nextday，withPlatonandConstantine，ChichikovsetforthtointerviewKhlobuev，theownerwhoseestateConstantinehadconsentedtohelpChichikovtopurchasewithanon-interest-bearing，uncovenantedloanoftenthousandroubles。Naturally，ourherowasinthehighestofspirits。ForthefirstfifteenverstsorsotheroadledthroughforestlandandtillagebelongingtoPlatonandhisbrother-in-law；butdirectlythelimitofthesedomainswasreached，forestlandbegantobereplacedwithswamp，andtillagewithwaste。
Also，thevillageinKhlobuev"sestatehadaboutitadesertedair，andasfortheproprietorhimself，hewasdiscoveredinastateofdrowsydishevelment，havingnotlonglefthisbed。Amanofaboutforty，hehadhiscravatcrooked，hisfrockcoatadornedwithalargestain，andoneofhisbootswornthrough。Neverthelessheseemeddelightedtoseehisvisitors。
“What？”heexclaimed。“ConstantineThedorovitchandPlatonMikhalitch？
ReallyImustrubmyeyes！NeveragaininthisworlddidIlooktoseecallersarriving。Asarule，folkavoidmelikethedevil，fortheycannotdisabusetheirmindsoftheideathatIamgoingtoaskthemforaloan。Yes，itismyownfault，Iknow，butwhatwouldyou？Totheendwillswinecheatswine。Prayexcusemycostume。Youwillobservethatmybootsareinholes。ButhowcanIaffordtogetthemmended？”
“Nevermind，“saidConstantine。“Wehavecomeonbusinessonly。MayI
presenttoyouapossiblepurchaserofyourestate，inthepersonofPaulIvanovitchChichikov？”
“Iamindeedgladtomeetyou！”wasKhlobuev"sresponse。“Prayshakehandswithme，PaulIvanovitch。“
Chichikovofferedonehand，butnotboth。
“Icanshowyouapropertyworthyourattention，“wentonthemasteroftheestate。“MayIaskifyouhaveyetdined？”
“Yes，wehave，“putinConstantine，desirousofescapingassoonaspossible。“Tosaveyoufurthertrouble，letusgoandviewtheestateatonce。“
“Verywell，“repliedKhlobuev。“Praycomeandinspectmyirregularitiesandfutilities。Youhavedonewelltodinebeforehand，fornotsomuchasafowlisleftintheplace，sodirearetheextremitiestowhichyouseemereduced。“
Sighingdeeply，hetookPlatonbythearm(itwasclearthathedidnotlookforanysympathyfromConstantine)andwalkedahead，whileConstantineandChichikovfollowed。
“Thingsaregoinghardwithme，PlatonMikhalitch，“continuedKhlobuev。“Howhardyoucannotimagine。NomoneyhaveI，nofood，noboots。WereIstillyoungandabachelor，itwouldhavecomeeasytometoliveonbreadandcheese；butwhenamanisgrowingold，andhasgotawifeandfivechildren，suchtrialspressheavilyuponhim，and，inspiteofhimself，hisspiritssink。“
“But，shouldyousucceedinsellingtheestate，thatwouldhelptoputyouright，woulditnot？”saidPlaton。
“Howcoulditdoso？”repliedKhlobuevwithadespairinggesture。
“WhatImightgetforthepropertywouldhavetogotowardsdischargingmydebts，andIshouldfindmyselfleftwithlessthanathousandroublesbesides。“
“Thenwhatdoyouintendtodo？”
“Godknows。“
“ButisthereNOTHINGtowhichyoucouldsetyourhandinordertoclearyourselfofyourdifficulties？”
“Howcouldtherebe？”
“Well，youmightacceptaGovernmentpost。“
“Becomeaprovincialsecretary，youmean？HowcouldIobtainsuchapost？Theywouldnotoffermeoneofthemeanestpossiblekind。Evensupposingthattheydid，howcouldIliveonasalaryoffivehundredroubles——Iwhohaveawifeandfivechildren？”
“Thentryandobtainabailiff"spost。“
“Whowouldentrusttheirpropertytoamanwhohassquanderedhisownestate？”
“Nevertheless，whendeathanddestitutionthreaten，amanmusteitherdosomethingorstarve。ShallIaskmybrothertousehisinfluencetoprocureyouapost？”
“No，no，PlatonMikhalitch，“sighedKhlobuev，grippingtheother"shand。“Iamnolongerserviceable——Iamgrownoldbeforemytime，andfindthatliverandrheumatismarepayingmeforthesinsofmyyouth。
WhyshouldtheGovernmentbeputtoalossonmyaccount？——nottospeakofthefactthatforeverysalariedposttherearecountlessnumbersofapplicants。Godforbidthat，inordertoprovidemewithalivelihoodfurtherburdensshouldbeimposeduponanimpoverishedpublic！”
“Sucharetheresultsofimprovidentmanagement！”thoughtPlatontohimself。“Thediseaseisevenworsethanmyslothfulness。“
MeanwhileKostanzhoglo，walkingbyChichikov"sside，wasalmosttakingleaveofhissenses。
“Lookatit！”hecriedwithawaveofhishand。“Seetowhatwretchednessthepeasanthasbecomereduced！Shouldcattlediseasecome，Khlobuevwillhavenothingtofallbackupon，butwillbeforcedtosellhisall——toleavethepeasantwithoutahorse，andthereforewithoutthemeanstolabour，eventhoughthelossofasingleday"sworkmaytakeyearsoflabourtorectify。Meanwhileitisplainthatthelocalpeasanthasbecomeameredissolute，lazydrunkard。Giveamuzhikenoughtoliveuponfortwelvemonthswithoutworking，andyouwillcorrupthimforever，soinuredtoragsandvagrancywillhegrow。Andwhatisthegoodofthatpieceofpasturethere——ofthatpieceonthefurthersideofthosehuts？Itisamerefloodedtract。
Wereitmine，Ishouldputitunderflax，andclearfivethousandroubles，orelsesowitwithturnips，andclear，perhaps，fourthousand。Andseehowtheryeisdrooping，andnearlylaid。Asforwheat，Iamprettysurethathehasnotsownany。Look，too，atthoseravines！Weretheymine，theywouldbestandingundertimberwhichevenarookcouldnottop。Tothinkofwastingsuchquantitiesofland！Wherelandwouldn"tbearcorn，Ishoulddigitup，andplantitwithvegetables。WhatoughttobedoneisthatKhlobuevoughttotakeaspadeintohisownhands，andtosethiswifeandchildrenandservantstodothesame；andeveniftheydiedoftheexertion，theywouldatleastdiedoingtheirduty，andnotthroughguzzlingatthedinnertable。“
Thissaid，Kostanzhoglospat，andhisbrowflushedwithgrimindignation。
Presentlytheyreachedanelevationwhencethedistantflashingofariver，withitsfloodwatersandsubsidiarystreams，caughttheeye，while，furtheroff，aportionofGeneralBetristchev"shomesteadcouldbediscernedamongthetrees，and，overit，ablue，denselywoodedhillwhichChichikovguessedtobethespotwhereTientietnikov"smansionwassituated。
“ThisiswhereIshouldplanttimber，“saidChichikov。“And，regardedasasiteforamanorhouse，thesituationcouldscarcelybebeatenforbeautyofview。“
“Youseemtogetgreatstoreuponviewsandbeauty，“remarkedKostanzhoglowithreproofinhistone。“Shouldyoupaytoomuchattentiontothosethings，youmightfindyourselfwithoutcropsorview。Utilityshouldbeplacedfirst，notbeauty。Beautywillcomeofitself。Take，forexample，towns。Thefairestandmostbeautifultownsarethosewhichhavebuiltthemselves——thoseinwhicheachmanhasbuilttosuithisownexclusivecircumstancesandneeds；whereastownswhichmenhaveconstructedonregular，string-tautlinesarenobetterthancollectionsofbarracks。Putbeautyaside，andlookonlytowhatisNECESSARY。“
“Yes，buttomeitwouldalwaysbeirksometohavetowait。AllthetimethatIwasdoingsoIshouldbehungeringtoseeinfrontofthemethesortofprospectwhichIprefer。“
“Come，come！Areyouamanoftwenty-five——youwhohaveservedasatchinovnikinSt。Petersburg？Havepatience，havepatience。Forsixyearswork，andworkhard。Plant，sow，anddigtheearthwithouttakingamoment"srest。Itwillbedifficult，Iknow——yes，difficultindeed；butattheendofthattime，ifyouhavethoroughlystirredthesoil，thelandwillbegintohelpyouasnothingelsecando。Thatistosay，overandaboveyourseventyorsopairsofhands，therewillbegintoassistintheworksevenhundredpairsofhandswhichyoucannotsee。Thuseverythingwillbemultipliedtenfold。Imyselfhaveceasedeventohavetoliftafinger，forwhatsoeverneedstobedonegetsdoneofitself。Naturelovespatience：alwaysrememberthat。
ItisalawgivenherofGodHimself，whohasblessedallthosewhoarestrongtoendure。“
“Tohearyourwordsistobebothencouragedandstrengthened，“saidChichikov。TothisKostanzhoglomadenoreply，butpresentlywenton：
“Andseehowthatpieceoflandhasbeenploughed！TostayherelongerismorethanIcando。Forme，tohavetolookuponsuchwantoforderlinessandforesightisdeath。FinishyourbusinesswithKhlobuevwithoutme，andwhatsoeveryoudo，getthistreasureoutofthatfool"shandsasquicklyaspossible，forheisdishonouringGod"sgifts。“
AndKostanzhoglo，hisfacedarkwiththeragethatwasseethinginhisexcitablesoul，leftChichikov，andcaughtuptheowneroftheestablishment。
“What，ConstantineThedorovitch？”criedKhlobuevinastonishment。
“Justarrived，youaregoingalready？”
“Yes；Icannothelpit；urgentbusinessrequiresmeathome。“Andenteringhisgig，Kostanzhoglodroverapidlyaway。SomehowKhlobuevseemedtodivinethecauseofhissuddendeparture。
“Itwastoomuchforhim，“heremarked。“Anagriculturistofthatkinddoesnotliketohavetolookupontheresultsofsuchfecklessmanagementasmine。Wouldyoubelieveit，PaulIvanovitch，butthisyearIhavebeenunabletosowanywheat！AmInotafinehusbandman？
Therewasnoseedforthepurpose，noryetanythingwithwhichtopreparetheground。No，IamnotlikeConstantineThedorovitch，who，I
hear，isaperfectNapoleoninhisparticularline。Againandagainthethoughtoccurstome，"Whyhassomuchintellectbeenputintothathead，andonlyadroportwointomyowndullpate？"Takecareofthatpuddle，gentlemen。Ihavetoldmypeasantstolaydownplanksforthespring，buttheyhavenotdoneso。Neverthelessmyheartachesforthepoorfellows，fortheyneedagoodexample，andwhatsortofanexampleamI？Howam_I_togivethemorders？Praytakethemunderyourcharge，PaulIvanovitch，forIcannotteachthemorderlinessandmethodwhenImyselflackboth。Asamatteroffact，Ishouldhavegiventhemtheirfreedomlongago，hadtherebeenanyuseinmydoingso；forevenIcanseethatpeasantsmustfirstbeaffordedthemeansofearningalivelihoodbeforetheycanlive。Whattheyneedisastern，yetjust，masterwhoshalllivewiththem，dayin，dayout，andsetthemanexampleoftirelessenergy。Thepresent-dayRussian——I
knowofitmyself——ishelplesswithoutadriver。Withoutonehefallsasleep，andthemouldgrowsoverhim。“
“YetIcannotunderstandWHYheshouldfallasleepandgrowmouldyinthatfashion，“saidPlaton。“Whyshouldheneedcontinualsurveillancetokeephimfromdegeneratingintoadrunkardandagood-for-nothing？”
“Thecauseislackofenlightenment，“saidChichikov。
“Possibly——onlyGodknows。Yetenlightenmenthasreachedusrightenough。Dowenotattenduniversitylecturesandeverythingelsethatisbefitting？Takemyowneducation。Ilearntnotonlytheusualthings，butalsotheartofspendingmoneyuponthelatestrefinement，thelatestamenity——theartoffamiliarisingoneselfwithwhatsoevermoneycanbuy。How，then，canitbesaidthatIwaseducatedfoolishly？Andmycomrades"educationwasthesame。Afewofthemsucceededinannexingthecreamofthings，forthereasonthattheyhadthewittodoso，andtherestspenttheirtimeindoingtheirbesttoruintheirhealthandsquandertheirmoney。OftenIthinkthereisnohopeforthepresent-dayRussian。Whiledesiringtodoeverything，heaccomplishesnothing。Onedayhewillschemetobeginanewmodeofexistence，anewdietary；yetbeforeeveninghewillhavesoover-eatenhimselfastobeunabletospeakordoaughtbutsitstaringlikeanowl。Thesamewitheveryone。“
“Quiteso，“agreedChichikovwithasmile。“"Tiseverywherethesamestory。“
“Totellthetruth，wearenotborntocommonsense。IdoubtwhetherRussiahaseverproducedareallysensibleman。Formyownpart，ifI
seemyneighbourlivingaregularlife，andmakingmoney，andsavingit，Ibegintodistrusthim，andtofeelcertainthatinoldage，ifnotbefore，hetoowillbeledastraybythedevil——ledastrayinamoment。Yes，whetherornotwebeeducated，thereissomethingwelack。Butwhatthatsomethingispassesmyunderstanding。“
Onthereturnjourneytheprospectwasthesameasbefore。Everywherethesameslovenliness，thesamedisorder，wasdisplayingitselfunadorned：theonlydifferencebeingthatafreshpuddlehadformedinthemiddleofthevillagestreet。Thiswantandneglectwasnoticeableinthepeasants"quartersequallywiththequartersofthebarin。Inthevillageafuriouswomaningreasysackclothwasbeatingapooryoungwenchwithinanaceofherlife，andatthesametimedevotingsomethirdpersontothecareofallthedevilsinhell；furtherawayacoupleofpeasantswerestoicallycontemplatingthevirago——onescratchinghisrumpashedidso，andtheotheryawning。Thesameyawnwasdiscernibleinthebuildings，fornotaroofwastherebuthadagapingholeinit。AshegazedatthescenePlatonhimselfyawned。
Patchwassuperimposeduponpatch，and，inplaceofaroof，onehuthadapieceofwoodenfencing，whileitscrumblingwindow-frameswerestayedwithstickspurloinedfromthebarin"sbarn。EvidentlythesystemofupkeepinvoguewasthesystememployedinthecaseofTrishkin"scoat——thesystemofcuttingupthecuffsandthecollarintomendingsfortheelbows。