dead souls(死魂灵)-第23章

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〃He　is　not　at　home；〃　she　replied；　almost　before　her　interlocutor　had　had　time　to　finish。　Then　she　added：　〃What　do　you　want　with　him？〃

〃I　have　some　business　to　do；〃　said　Chichikov。

〃Then　pray　walk　into　the　house；〃　the　woman　advised。　Then　she　turned　upon　him　a　back　that　was　smeared　with　flour　and　had　a　long　slit　in　the　lower　portion　of　its　covering。　Entering　a　large；　dark　hall　which　reeked　like　a　tomb；　he　passed　into　an　equally　dark　parlour　that　was　lighted　only　by　such　rays　as　contrived　to　filter　through　a　crack　under　the　door。　When　Chichikov　opened　the　door　in　question；　the　spectacle　of　the　untidiness　within　struck　him　almost　with　amazement。　It　would　seem　that　the　floor　was　never　washed；　and　that　the　room　was　used　as　a　receptacle　for　every　conceivable　kind　of　furniture。　On　a　table　stood　a　ragged　chair；　with；　beside　it；　a　clock　minus　a　pendulum　and　covered　all　over　with　cobwebs。　Against　a　wall　leant　a　cupboard；　full　of　old　silver；　glassware；　and　china。　On　a　writing　table；　inlaid　with　mother…of…pearl　which；　in　places；　had　broken　away　and　left　behind　it　a　number　of　yellow　grooves　（stuffed　with　putty）；　lay　a　pile　of　finely　written　manuscript；　an　overturned　marble　press　（turning　green）；　an　ancient　book　in　a　leather　cover　with　red　edges；　a　lemon　dried　and　shrunken　to　the　dimensions　of　a　hazelnut；　the　broken　arm　of　a　chair；　a　tumbler　containing　the　dregs　of　some　liquid　and　three　flies　（the　whole　covered　over　with　a　sheet　of　notepaper）；　a　pile　of　rags；　two　ink…encrusted　pens；　and　a　yellow　toothpick　with　which　the　master　of　the　house　had　picked　his　teeth　（apparently）　at　least　before　the　coming　of　the　French　to　Moscow。　As　for　the　walls；　they　were　hung　with　a　medley　of　pictures。　Among　the　latter　was　a　long　engraving　of　a　battle　scene；　wherein　soldiers　in　three…cornered　hats　were　brandishing　huge　drums　and　slender　lances。　It　lacked　a　glass；　and　was　set　in　a　frame　ornamented　with　bronze　fretwork　and　bronze　corner　rings。　Beside　it　hung　a　huge；　grimy　oil　painting　representative　of　some　flowers　and　fruit；　half　a　water　melon；　a　boar's　head；　and　the　pendent　form　of　a　dead　wild　duck。　Attached　to　the　ceiling　there　was　a　chandelier　in　a　holland　coveringthe　covering　so　dusty　as　closely　to　resemble　a　huge　cocoon　enclosing　a　caterpillar。　Lastly；　in　one　corner　of　the　room　lay　a　pile　of　articles　which　had　evidently　been　adjudged　unworthy　of　a　place　on　the　table。　Yet　what　the　pile　consisted　of　it　would　have　been　difficult　to　say；　seeing　that　the　dust　on　the　same　was　so　thick　that　any　hand　which　touched　it　would　have　at　once　resembled　a　glove。　Prominently　protruding　from　the　pile　was　the　shaft　of　a　wooden　spade　and　the　antiquated　sole　of　a　shoe。　Never　would　one　have　supposed　that　a　living　creature　had　tenanted　the　room；　were　it　not　that　the　presence　of　such　a　creature　was　betrayed　by　the　spectacle　of　an　old　nightcap　resting　on　the　table。

Whilst　Chichikov　was　gazing　at　this　extraordinary　mess；　a　side　door　opened　and　there　entered　the　housekeeper　who　had　met　him　near　the　outbuildings。　But　now　Chichikov　perceived　this　person　to　be　a　man　rather　than　a　woman；　since　a　female　housekeeper　would　have　had　no　beard　to　shave；　whereas　the　chin　of　the　newcomer；　with　the　lower　portion　of　his　cheeks；　strongly　resembled　the　curry…comb　which　is　used　for　grooming　horses。　Chichikov　assumed　a　questioning　air；　and　waited　to　hear　what　the　housekeeper　might　have　to　say。　The　housekeeper　did　the　same。　At　length；　surprised　at　the　misunderstanding；　Chichikov　decided　to　ask　the　first　question。

〃Is　the　master　at　home？〃　he　inquired。

〃Yes；〃　replied　the　person　addressed。

〃Then　were　is　he？〃　continued　Chichikov。

〃Are　you　blind；　my　good　sir？〃　retorted　the　other。　〃_I_　am　the　master。〃

Involuntarily　our　hero　started　and　stared。　During　his　travels　it　had　befallen　him　to　meet　various　types　of　mensome　of　them；　it　may　be；　types　which　you　and　I　have　never　encountered；　but　even　to　Chichikov　this　particular　species　was　new。　In　the　old　man's　face　there　was　nothing　very　specialit　was　much　like　the　wizened　face　of　many　another　dotard；　save　that　the　chin　was　so　greatly　projected　that　whenever　he　spoke　he　was　forced　to　wipe　it　with　a　handkerchief　to　avoid　dribbling；　and　that　his　small　eyes　were　not　yet　grown　dull；　but　twinkled　under　their　overhanging　brows　like　the　eyes　of　mice　when；　with　attentive　ears　and　sensitive　whiskers；　they　snuff　the　air　and　peer　forth　from　their　holes　to　see　whether　a　cat　or　a　boy　may　not　be　in　the　vicinity。　No；　the　most　noticeable　feature　about　the　man　was　his　clothes。　In　no　way　could　it　have　been　guessed　of　what　his　coat　was　made；　for　both　its　sleeves　and　its　skirts　were　so　ragged　and　filthy　as　to　defy　description；　while　instead　of　two　posterior　tails；　there　dangled　four　of　those　appendages；　with；　projecting　from　them；　a　torn　newspaper。　Also；　around　his　neck　there　was　wrapped　something　which　might　have　been　a　stocking；　a　garter；　or　a　stomacher；　but　was　certainly　not　a　tie。　In　short；　had　Chichikov　chanced　to　encounter　him　at　a　church　door；　he　would　have　bestowed　upon　him　a　copper　or　two　（for；　to　do　our　hero　justice；　he　had　a　sympathetic　heart　and　never　refrained　from　presenting　a　beggar　with　alms）；　but　in　the　present　case　there　was　standing　before　him；　not　a　mendicant；　but　a　landownerand　a　landowner　possessed　of　fully　a　thousand　serfs；　the　superior　of　all　his　neighbours　in　wealth　of　flour　and　grain；　and　the　owner　of　storehouses；　and　so　forth；　that　were　crammed　with　homespun　cloth　and　linen；　tanned　and　undressed　sheepskins；　dried　fish；　and　every　conceivable　species　of　produce。　Nevertheless；　such　a　phenomenon　is　rare　in　Russia；　where　the　tendency　is　rather　to　prodigality　than　to　parsimony。

For　several　minutes　Plushkin　stood　mute；　while　Chichikov　remained　so　dazed　with　the　appearance　of　the　host　and　everything　else　in　the　room；　that　he　too；　could　not　begin　a　conversation；　but　stood　wondering　how　best　to　find　words　in　which　to　explain　the　object　of　his　visit。　For　a　while　he　thought　of　expressing　himself　to　the　effect　that；　having　heard　so　much　of　his　host's　benevolence　and　other　rare　qualities　of　spirit；　he　had　considered　it　his　duty　to　come　and　pay　a　tribute　of　respect；　but　presently　even　HE　came　to　the　conclusion　that　this　would　be　overdoing　the　thing；　and；　after　another　glance　round　the　room；　decided　that　the　phrase　〃benevolence　and　other　rare　qualities　of　spirit〃　might　to　advantage　give　place　to　〃economy　and　genius　for　method。〃　Accordingly；　the　speech　mentally　composed；　he　said　aloud　that；　having　heard　of　Plushkin's　talents　for　thrifty　and　systematic　management；　he　had　considered　himself　bound　to　make　the　acquaintance　of　his　host；　and　to　present　him　with　his　personal　compliments　（I　need　hardly　say　that　Chichikov　could　easily　have　alleged　a　better　reason；　had　any　better　one　happened；　at　the　moment；　to　have　come　into　his　head）。

With　toothless　gums　Plushkin　murmured　something　in　reply；　but　nothing　is　known　as　to　its　precise　terms　beyond　that　it　included　a　statement　that　the　devil　was　at　liberty　to　fly　away　with　Chichikov's　sentiments。　However；　the　laws　of　Russian　hospitality　do　not　permit　even　of　a　miser　infringing　their　rules；　wherefore　Plushkin　added　to　the　foregoing　a　more　civil　invitation　to　be　seated。

〃It　is　long　since　I　last　received　a　visitor；〃　he　went　on。　〃Also；　I　feel　bound　to　say　that　I　can　see　little　good　in　their　coming。　Once　introduce　the　abominable　custom　of　folk　paying　calls；　and　forthwith　there　will　ensue　such　ruin　to　the　management　of　estates　that　landowners　will　be　forced　to　feed　their　horses　on　hay。　Not　for　a　long；　long　time　have　I　eaten　a　meal　away　from　homealthough　my　own　kitchen　is　a　poor　one；　and　has　its　chimney　in　such　a　state　that；　were　it　to　become　overheated；　it　would　instantly　catch　fire。〃

〃What　a　brute！〃　thought　Chichikov。　〃I　am　lucky　to　have　got　through　so　much　pastry　and　stuffed　shoulder　of　mutton　at　Sobakevitch's！〃

〃Also；〃　went　on　Plushkin；　〃I　am　ashamed　to　say　that　hardly　a　wisp　of　fodder　does　the　place　contain。　But　how　can　I　get　fodder？　My　lands　are　small；　and　the　peasantry　lazy　fellows　who　hate　work　and　think　of　nothing　but　the　tavern。　In　the　end；　therefore；　I　shall　be　forced　to　go　and　spend　my　old　age　in　roaming　about　the　world。〃

〃But　I　have　been　told　that　you　possess　over　a　thousand　serfs？〃　said　Chichikov。

〃Who　told　you　that？　No　matter　who　it　was；　you　would　have　been　justified　in　giving　him　the　lie。　He　must　have　been　a　jester　who　wanted　to　make　a　fool　of　you。　A　thousand　souls；　indeed！　Why；　just　reckon　the　taxes　on　them；　and　see　what　there　would　be　left！　For　these　three　years　that　accursed　fever　has　been　killing　off　my　serfs　wholesale。〃

〃Wholesale；　you　say？〃　echoed　Chichikov；　greatly　interested。

〃Yes；　wholesale；〃　replied　the　old　man。

〃Then　might　I　ask　you　the　exact　number？〃

〃Fully　eighty。〃

〃Surely　not？〃

〃But　it　is　so。〃

〃Then　might　I　also　ask　whether　it　is　from　the　date　of　the　last　census　revision　that　you　are　reckoning　these　souls？〃

〃Yes；　damn　it！　And　since　that　date　I　have　been　bled　for　taxes　upon　a　hundred　and　twenty　souls　in　all。〃

〃Indeed？　Upon　a　hundred　and　twenty　souls　in　all！〃　And　Chichikov's　surprise　and　elation　were　such　that；　this　said；　he　remained　sitting　open…mouthed。

〃Yes；　good　sir；〃　replied　Plushkin。　〃I　am　too　old　to　tell　you　lies；　for　I　have　passed　my　seventieth　year。〃

Somehow　he　seemed　to　have　taken　offence　at　Chichikov's　almost　joyous　exclamation；　wherefore　the　guest　hastened　to　heave　a　profound　sigh；　and　to　observe　that　he　sympathised　to　the　full　with　his　host's　misfortunes。

〃But　sympathy　does　not　put　anything　into　one's　pocket；〃　retorted　Plushkin。　〃For　instance；　I　have　a　kinsman　who　is　constantly　plaguing　me。　He　is　a　captain　in　the　army；　damn　him；　and　all　day　he　does　nothing　but　call　me　'dear　uncle；'　and　kiss　my　hand；　and　express　sympathy　until　I　am　forced　to　stop　my　ears。　You　see；　he　has　squandered　all　his　money　upon　his　brother…officers；　as　well　as　made　a　fool　of　himself　with　an　actress；　so　now　he　spends　his　time　in　telling　me　that　he　has　a　sympathetic　heart！〃

Chichikov　hastened　to　explain　that　HIS　sympathy　had　nothing　in　common　with　the　captain's；　since　he　dealt；　not　in　empty　words　alone；　but　in　actual　deeds；　in　proof　of　which　he　was　ready　then　and　there　（for　the　purpose　of　cutting　the　matter　short；　and　of　dispensing　with　circumlocution）　to　transfer　to　himself　the　obligation　of　paying　the　taxes　due　upon　such　serfs　as　Plushkin's　as　had；　in　the　unfortunate　manner　just　described；　departed　this　world。　The　proposal　seemed　to　astonish　Plushkin；　for　he　sat　staring　open…eyed。　At　length　he　inquired：

〃My　dear　sir；　have　you　seen　military　service？〃

〃No；〃　replied　the　other　warily；　〃but　I　have　been　a　member　of　the　CIVIL　Service。〃

〃Oh！　Of　the　CIVIL　Service？〃　And　Plushkin　sat　moving　his　lips　as　though　he　were　chewing　something。　〃Well；　what　of　your　proposal？〃　he　added　presently。　〃Are　you　prepared　to　lose　by　it？〃

〃Yes；　certainly；　if　thereby　I　can　please　you。〃

〃My　dear　sir！　My　good　benefactor！〃　In　his　delight　Plushkin　lost　sight　of　the　fact　that　his　nose　was　caked　with　snuff　of　the　consistency　of　thick　coffee；　and　that　his　coat　had　parted　in　front　and　was　disclosing　some　very　unseemly　underclothing。　〃What　comfort　you　have　brought　to　an　old　man！　Yes；　as　God　is　my　witness！〃

For　the　moment　he　could　say　no　more。　Yet　barely　a　minute　had　elapsed　before　this　instantan