dead souls(死魂灵)-第13章

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of　St。　Petersburg　and　Moscow　who　spend　their　time　in　considering　what　they　shall　eat　on　the　morrow；　and　in　composing　a　dinner　for　the　day　following；　and　who　never　sit　down　to　a　meal　without　first　of　all　injecting　a　pill　and　then　swallowing　oysters　and　crabs　and　a　quantity　of　other　monsters；　while　eternally　departing　for　Karlsbad　or　the　Caucasus；　the　author　has　but　a　small　opinion。　Yes；　THEY　are　not　the　persons　to　inspire　envy。　Rather；　it　is　the　folk　of　the　middle　classesfolk　who　at　one　posthouse　call　for　bacon；　and　at　another　for　a　sucking　pig；　and　at　a　third　for　a　steak　of　sturgeon　or　a　baked　pudding　with　onions；　and　who　can　sit　down　to　table　at　any　hour；　as　though　they　had　never　had　a　meal　in　their　lives；　and　can　devour　fish　of　all　sorts；　and　guzzle　and　chew　it　with　a　view　to　provoking　further　appetitethese；　I　say；　are　the　folk　who　enjoy　heaven's　most　favoured　gift。　To　attain　such　a　celestial　condition　the　great　folk　of　whom　I　have　spoken　would　sacrifice　half　their　serfs　and　half　their　mortgaged　and　non…mortgaged　property；　with　the　foreign　and　domestic　improvements　thereon；　if　thereby　they　could　compass　such　a　stomach　as　is　possessed　by　the　folk　of　the　middle　class。　But；　unfortunately；　neither　money　nor　real　estate；　whether　improved　or　non…improved；　can　purchase　such　a　stomach。

The　little　wooden　tavern；　with　its　narrow；　but　hospitable；　curtain　suspended　from　a　pair　of　rough…hewn　doorposts　like　old　church　candlesticks；　seemed　to　invite　Chichikov　to　enter。　True；　the　establishment　was　only　a　Russian　hut　of　the　ordinary　type；　but　it　was　a　hut　of　larger　dimensions　than　usual；　and　had　around　its　windows　and　gables　carved　and　patterned　cornices　of　bright…coloured　wood　which　threw　into　relief　the　darker　hue　of　the　walls；　and　consorted　well　with　the　flowered　pitchers　painted　on　the　shutters。

Ascending　the　narrow　wooden　staircase　to　the　upper　floor；　and　arriving　upon　a　broad　landing；　Chichikov　found　himself　confronted　with　a　creaking　door　and　a　stout　old　woman　in　a　striped　print　gown。　〃This　way；　if　you　please；〃　she　said。　Within　the　apartment　designated　Chichikov　encountered　the　old　friends　which　one　invariably　finds　in　such　roadside　hostelriesto　wit；　a　heavy　samovar；　four　smooth；　bescratched　walls　of　white　pine；　a　three…cornered　press　with　cups　and　teapots；　egg…cups　of　gilded　china　standing　in　front　of　ikons　suspended　by　blue　and　red　ribands；　a　cat　lately　delivered　of　a　family；　a　mirror　which　gives　one　four　eyes　instead　of　two　and　a　pancake　for　a　face；　and；　beside　the　ikons；　some　bunches　of　herbs　and　carnations　of　such　faded　dustiness　that；　should　one　attempt　to　smell　them；　one　is　bound　to　burst　out　sneezing。

〃Have　you　a　sucking…pig？〃　Chichikov　inquired　of　the　landlady　as　she　stood　expectantly　before　him。

〃Yes。〃

〃And　some　horse…radish　and　sour　cream？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Then　serve　them。〃

The　landlady　departed　for　the　purpose；　and　returned　with　a　plate；　a　napkin　（the　latter　starched　to　the　consistency　of　dried　bark）；　a　knife　with　a　bone　handle　beginning　to　turn　yellow；　a　two…pronged　fork　as　thin　as　a　wafer；　and　a　salt…cellar　incapable　of　being　made　to　stand　upright。

Following　the　accepted　custom；　our　hero　entered　into　conversation　with　the　woman；　and　inquired　whether　she　herself　or　a　landlord　kept　the　tavern；　how　much　income　the　tavern　brought　in；　whether　her　sons　lived　with　her；　whether　the　oldest　was　a　bachelor　or　married；　whom　the　eldest　had　taken　to　wife；　whether　the　dowry　had　been　large；　whether　the　father…in…law　had　been　satisfied；　and　whether　the　said　father…in…law　had　not　complained　of　receiving　too　small　a　present　at　the　wedding。　In　short；　Chichikov　touched　on　every　conceivable　point。　Likewise　（of　course）　he　displayed　some　curiosity　as　to　the　landowners　of　the　neighbourhood。　Their　names；　he　ascertained；　were　Blochin；　Potchitaev；　Minoi；　Cheprakov；　and　Sobakevitch。

〃Then　you　are　acquainted　with　Sobakevitch？〃　he　said；　whereupon　the　old　woman　informed　him　that　she　knew　not　only　Sobakevitch；　but　also　Manilov；　and　that　the　latter　was　the　more　delicate　eater　of　the　two；　since；　whereas　Manilov　always　ordered　a　roast　fowl　and　some　veal　and　mutton；　and　then　tasted　merely　a　morsel　of　each；　Sobakevitch　would　order　one　dish　only；　but　consume　the　whole　of　it；　and　then　demand　more　at　the　same　price。

Whilst　Chichikov　was　thus　conversing　and　partaking　of　the　sucking　pig　until　only　a　fragment　of　it　seemed　likely　to　remain；　the　sound　of　an　approaching　vehicle　made　itself　heard。　Peering　through　the　window；　he　saw　draw　up　to　the　tavern　door　a　light　britchka　drawn　by　three　fine　horses。　From　it　there　descended　two　menone　flaxen…haired　and　tall；　and　the　other　dark…haired　and　of　slighter　build。　While　the　flaxen…haired　man　was　clad　in　a　dark…blue　coat；　the　other　one　was　wrapped　in　a　coat　of　striped　pattern。　Behind　the　britchka　stood　a　second；　but　an　empty；　turn…out；　drawn　by　four　long…coated　steeds　in　ragged　collars　and　rope　harnesses。　The　flaxen…haired　man　lost　no　time　in　ascending　the　staircase；　while　his　darker　friend　remained　below　to　fumble　at　something　in　the　britchka；　talking；　as　he　did　so；　to　the　driver　of　the　vehicle　which　stood　hitched　behind。　Somehow；　the　dark…haired　man's　voice　struck　Chichikov　as　familiar；　and　as　he　was　taking　another　look　at　him　the　flaxen…haired　gentleman　entered　the　room。　The　newcomer　was　a　man　of　lofty　stature；　with　a　small　red　moustache　and　a　lean；　hard…bitten　face　whose　redness　made　it　evident　that　its　acquaintance；　if　not　with　the　smoke　of　gunpowder；　at　all　events　with　that　of　tobacco；　was　intimate　and　extensive。　Nevertheless　he　greeted　Chichikov　civilly；　and　the　latter　returned　his　bow。　Indeed；　the　pair　would　have　entered　into　conversation；　and　have　made　one　another's　acquaintance　（since　a　beginning　was　made　with　their　simultaneously　expressing　satisfaction　at　the　circumstance　that　the　previous　night's　rain　had　laid　the　dust　on　the　roads；　and　thereby　made　driving　cool　and　pleasant）　when　the　gentleman's　darker…favoured　friend　also　entered　the　room；　and；　throwing　his　cap　upon　the　table；　pushed　back　a　mass　of　dishevelled　black　locks　from　his　brow。　The　latest　arrival　was　a　man　of　medium　height；　but　well　put　together；　and　possessed　of　a　pair　of　full　red　cheeks；　a　set　of　teeth　as　white　as　snow；　and　coal…black　whiskers。　Indeed；　so　fresh　was　his　complexion　that　it　seemed　to　have　been　compounded　of　blood　and　milk；　while　health　danced　in　his　every　feature。

〃Ha；　ha；　ha！〃　he　cried　with　a　gesture　of　astonishment　at　the　sight　of　Chichikov。　〃What　chance　brings　YOU　here？〃

Upon　that　Chichikov　recognised　Nozdrevthe　man　whom　he　had　met　at　dinner　at　the　Public　Prosecutor's；　and　who；　within　a　minute　or　two　of　the　introduction；　had　become　so　intimate　with　his　fellow　guest　as　to　address　him　in　the　second　person　singular；　in　spite　of　the　fact　that　Chichikov　had　given　him　no　opportunity　for　doing　so。

〃Where　have　you　been　to…day？〃　Nozdrev　inquired；　and；　without　waiting　for　an　answer；　went　on：　〃For　myself；　I　am　just　from　the　fair；　and　completely　cleaned　out。　Actually；　I　have　had　to　do　the　journey　back　with　stage　horses！　Look　out　of　the　window；　and　see　them　for　yourself。〃　And　he　turned　Chichikov's　head　so　sharply　in　the　desired　direction　that　he　came　very　near　to　bumping　it　against　the　window　frame。　〃Did　you　ever　see　such　a　bag　of　tricks？　The　cursed　things　have　only　just　managed　to　get　here。　In　fact；　on　the　way　I　had　to　transfer　myself　to　this　fellow's　britchka。〃　He　indicated　his　companion　with　a　finger。　〃By　the　way；　don't　you　know　one　another？　He　is　Mizhuev；　my　brother…in…law。　He　and　I　were　talking　of　you　only　this　morning。　'Just　you　see；'　said　I　to　him；　'if　we　do　not　fall　in　with　Chichikov　before　we　have　done。'　Heavens；　how　completely　cleaned　out　I　am！　Not　only　have　I　lost　four　good　horses；　but　also　my　watch　and　chain。〃　Chichikov　perceived　that　in　very　truth　his　interlocutor　was　minus　the　articles　named；　as　well　as　that　one　of　Nozdrev's　whiskers　was　less　bushy　in　appearance　than　the　other　one。　〃Had　I　had　another　twenty　roubles　in　my　pocket；〃　went　on　Nozdrev；　〃I　should　have　won　back　all　that　I　have　lost；　as　well　as　have　pouched　a　further　thirty　thousand。　Yes；　I　give　you　my　word　of　honour　on　that。〃

〃But　you　were　saying　the　same　thing　when　last　I　met　you；〃　put　in　the　flaxen…haired　man。　〃Yet；　even　though　I　lent　you　fifty　roubles；　you　lost　them　all。〃

〃But　I　should　not　have　lost　them　THIS　time。　Don't　try　to　make　me　out　a　fool。　I　should　NOT　have　lost　them；　I　tell　you。　Had　I　only　played　the　right　card；　I　should　have　broken　the　bank。〃

〃But　you　did　NOT　break　the　bank；〃　remarked　the　flaxen…haired　man。

〃No。　That　was　because　I　did　not　play　my　cards　right。　But　what　about　your　precious　major's　play？　Is　THAT　good？〃

〃Good　or　not；　at　least　he　beat　you。〃

〃Splendid　of　him！　Nevertheless　I　will　get　my　own　back。　Let　him　play　me　at　doubles；　and　we　shall　soon　see　what　sort　of　a　player　he　is！　Friend　Chichikov；　at　first　we　had　a　glorious　time；　for　the　fair　was　a　tremendous　success。　Indeed；　the　tradesmen　said　that　never　yet　had　there　been　such　a　gathering。　I　myself　managed　to　sell　everything　from　my　estate　at　a　good　price。　In　fact；　we　had　a　magnificent　time。　I　can't　help　thinking　of　it；　devil　take　me！　But　what　a　pity　YOU　were　not　there！　Three　versts　from　the　town　there　is　quartered　a　regiment　of　dragoons；　and　you　would　scarcely　believe　what　a　lot　of　officers　it　has。　Forty　at　least　there　are；　and　they　do　a　fine　lot　of　knocking　about　the　town　and　drinking。　In　particular；　Staff…Captain　Potsieluev　is　a　SPLENDID　fellow！　You　should　just　see　his　moustache！　Why；　he　calls　good　claret　'trash'！　'Bring　me　some　of　the　usual　trash；'　is　his　way　of　ordering　it。　And　Lieutenant　Kuvshinnikov；　too！　He　is　as　delightful　as　the　other　man。　In　fact；　I　may　say　that　every　one　of　the　lot　is　a　rake。　I　spent　my　whole　time　with　them；　and　you　can　imagine　that　Ponomarev；　the　wine　merchant；　did　a　fine　trade　indeed！　All　the　same；　he　is　a　rascal；　you　know；　and　ought　not　to　be　dealt　with；　for　he　puts　all　sorts　of　rubbish　into　his　liquorIndian　wood　and　burnt　cork　and　elderberry　juice；　the　villain！　Nevertheless；　get　him　to　produce　a　bottle　from　what　he　calls　his　'special　cellar；'　and　you　will　fancy　yourself　in　the　seventh　heaven　of　delight。　And　what　quantities　of　champagne　we　drank！　Compared　with　it；　provincial　stuff　is　kvass＇1＇。　Try　to　imagine　not　merely　Clicquot；　but　a　sort　of　blend　of　Clicquot　and　MatraduraClicquot　of　double　strength。　Also　Ponomarev　produced　a　bottle　of　French　stuff　which　he　calls　'Bonbon。'　Had　it　a　bouquet；　ask　you？　Why；　it　had　the　bouquet　of　a　rose　garden；　of　anything　else　you　like。　What　times　we　had；　to　be　sure！　Just　after　we　had　left　Pnomarev's　place；　some　prince　or　another　arrived　in　the　town；　and　sent　out　for　some　champagne；　but　not　a　bottle　was　there　left；　for　the　officers　had　drunk　every　one！　Why；　I　myself　got　through　seventeen　bottles　at　a　sitting。〃

＇1＇　A　liquor　distilled　from　fermented　bread　crusts　or　sour　fruit。

〃Come；　come！　You　CAN'T　have　got　through　seventeen；〃　remarked　the　flaxen…haired　man。

〃But　I　did；　I　give　my　word　of　honour；〃　retorted　Nozdrev。

〃Imagine　what　you　like；　but　you　didn't　drink　even　TEN　bottles　at　a　sitting。〃

〃Will　you　bet　that　I　did　not？〃

〃No；　for　what　would　be　the　use　of　betting　about　it？〃

〃Then　at　least　wager　the　gun　which　you　have　bought。〃

〃No；　I　am　not　going　to　do　anything　of　the　kind。〃

〃Just　as　an