dead souls(死魂灵)-第64章

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catch　you　alone；　you　little　devil；〃　he　muttered　to　himself；　〃I'd　shoot　you！〃

Host；　hostess　and　nurse　all　ran　for　eau…de…Cologne；　and　from　three　sides　set　themselves　to　rub　the　spot　affected。

〃Never　mind；　never　mind；　it　is　nothing；〃　said　Chichikov　as　he　strove　to　communicate　to　his　features　as　cheerful　an　expression　as　possible。　〃What　does　it　matter　what　a　child　may　spoil　during　the　golden　age　of　its　infancy？〃

To　himself　he　remarked：　〃The　little　brute！　Would　it　could　be　devoured　by　wolves。　It　has　made　only　too　good　a　shot；　the　cussed　young　ragamuffin！〃

How；　after　thisafter　the　guest　had　shown　such　innocent　affection　for　the　little　one；　and　magnanimously　paid　for　his　so　doing　with　a　brand…new　suitcould　the　father　remain　obdurate？　Nevertheless；　to　avoid　setting　a　bad　example　to　the　countryside；　he　and　Chichikov　agreed　to　carry　through　the　transaction　PRIVATELY；　lest；　otherwise；　a　scandal　should　arise。

〃In　return；〃　said　Chichikov；　〃would　you　mind　doing　me　the　following　favour？　I　desire　to　mediate　in　the　matter　of　your　difference　with　the　Brothers　Platonov。　I　believe　that　you　wish　to　acquire　some　additional　land？　Is　not　that　so？〃





Everything　in　life　fulfils　its　function；　and　Chichikov's　tour　in　search　of　a　fortune　was　carried　out　so　successfully　that　not　a　little　money　passed　into　his　pockets。　The　system　employed　was　a　good　one：　he　did　not　steal；　he　merely　used。　And　every　one　of　us　at　times　does　the　same：　one　man　with　regard　to　Government　timber；　and　another　with　regard　to　a　sum　belonging　to　his　employer；　while　a　third　defrauds　his　children　for　the　sake　of　an　actress；　and　a　fourth　robs　his　peasantry　for　the　sake　of　smart　furniture　or　a　carriage。　What　can　one　do　when　one　is　surrounded　on　every　side　with　roguery；　and　everywhere　there　are　insanely　expensive　restaurants；　masked　balls；　and　dances　to　the　music　of　gipsy　bands？　To　abstain　when　every　one　else　is　indulging　in　these　things；　and　fashion　commands；　is　difficult　indeed！

Chichikov　was　for　setting　forth　again；　but　the　roads　had　now　got　into　a　bad　state；　and；　in　addition；　there　was　in　preparation　a　second　fairone　for　the　dvoriane　only。　The　former　fair　had　been　held　for　the　sale　of　horses；　cattle；　cheese；　and　other　peasant　produce；　and　the　buyers　had　been　merely　cattle…jobbers　and　kulaks；　but　this　time　the　function　was　to　be　one　for　the　sale　of　manorial　produce　which　had　been　bought　up　by　wholesale　dealers　at　Nizhni　Novgorod；　and　then　transferred　hither。　To　the　fair；　of　course；　came　those　ravishers　of　the　Russian　purse　who；　in　the　shape　of　Frenchmen　with　pomades　and　Frenchwomen　with　hats；　make　away　with　money　earned　by　blood　and　hard　work；　and；　like　the　locusts　of　Egypt　（to　use　Kostanzhoglo's　term）　not　only　devour　their　prey；　but　also　dig　holes　in　the　ground　and　leave　behind　their　eggs。

Although；　unfortunately；　the　occurrence　of　a　bad　harvest　retained　many　landowners　at　their　country　houses；　the　local　tchinovniks　（whom　the　failure　of　the　harvest　did　NOT　touch）　proceeded　to　let　themselves　goas　also；　to　their　undoing；　did　their　wives。　The　reading　of　books　of　the　type　diffused；　in　these　modern　days；　for　the　inoculation　of　humanity　with　a　craving　for　new　and　superior　amenities　of　life　had　caused　every　one　to　conceive　a　passion　for　experimenting　with　the　latest　luxury；　and　to　meet　this　want　the　French　wine　merchant　opened　a　new　establishment　in　the　shape　of　a　restaurant　as　had　never　before　been　heard　of　in　the　provincea　restaurant　where　supper　could　be　procured　on　credit　as　regarded　one…half；　and　for　an　unprecedentedly　low　sum　as　regarded　the　other。　This　exactly　suited　both　heads　of　boards　and　clerks　who　were　living　in　hope　of　being　able　some　day　to　resume　their　bribes…taking　from　suitors。　There　also　developed　a　tendency　to　compete　in　the　matter　of　horses　and　liveried　flunkeys；　with　the　result　that　despite　the　damp　and　snowy　weather　exceedingly　elegant　turnouts　took　to　parading　backwards　and　forwards。　Whence　these　equipages　had　come　God　only　knows；　but　at　least　they　would　not　have　disgraced　St。　Petersburg。　From　within　them　merchants　and　attorneys　doffed　their　caps　to　ladies；　and　inquired　after　their　health；　and　likewise　it　became　a　rare　sight　to　see　a　bearded　man　in　a　rough　fur　cap；　since　every　one　now　went　about　clean…shaven　and　with　dirty　teeth；　after　the　European　fashion。

〃Sir；　I　beg　of　you　to　inspect　my　goods；〃　said　a　tradesman　as　Chichikov　was　passing　his　establishment。　〃Within　my　doors　you　will　find　a　large　variety　of　clothing。〃

〃Have　you　a　cloth　of　bilberry…coloured　check？〃　inquired　the　person　addressed。

〃I　have　cloths　of　the　finest　kind；〃　replied　the　tradesman；　raising　his　cap　with　one　hand；　and　pointing　to　his　shop　with　the　other。　Chichikov　entered；　and　in　a　trice　the　proprietor　had　dived　beneath　the　counter；　and　appeared　on　the　other　side　of　it；　with　his　back　to　his　wares　and　his　face　towards　the　customer。　Leaning　forward　on　the　tips　of　his　fingers；　and　indicating　his　merchandise　with　just　the　suspicion　of　a　nod；　he　requested　the　gentleman　to　specify　exactly　the　species　of　cloth　which　he　required。

〃A　cloth　with　an　olive…coloured　or　a　bottle…tinted　spot　in　its　patternanything　in　the　nature　of　bilberry；〃　explained　Chichikov。

〃That　being　so；　sir；　I　may　say　that　I　am　about　to　show　you　clothes　of　a　quality　which　even　our　illustrious　capitals　could　not　surpass。　Hi；　boy！　Reach　down　that　roll　up　therenumber　34。　No；　NOT　that　one；　fool！　Such　fellows　as　you　are　always　too　good　for　your　job。　Therehand　it　to　me。　This　is　indeed　a　nice　pattern！〃

Unfolding　the　garment；　the　tradesman　thrust　it　close　to　Chichikov's　nose　in　order　that　he　might　not　only　handle；　but　also　smell　it。

〃Excellent；　but　not　what　I　want；〃　pronounced　Chichikov。　〃Formerly　I　was　in　the　Custom's　Department；　and　therefore　wear　none　but　cloth　of　the　latest　make。　What　I　want　is　of　a　ruddier　pattern　than　thisnot　exactly　a　bottle…tinted　pattern；　but　something　approaching　bilberry。〃

〃I　understand；　sir。　Of　course　you　require　only　the　very　newest　thing。　A　cloth　of　that　kind　I　DO　possess；　sir；　and　though　excessive　in　price；　it　is　of　a　quality　to　match。〃

Carrying　the　roll　of　stuff　to　the　lighteven　stepping　into　the　street　for　the　purposethe　shopman　unfolded　his　prize　with　the　words；　〃A　truly　beautiful　shade！　A　cloth　of　smoked　grey；　shot　with　flame　colour！〃

The　material　met　with　the　customer's　approval；　a　price　was　agreed　upon；　and　with　incredible　celerity　the　vendor　made　up　the　purchase　into　a　brown…paper　parcel；　and　stowed　it　away　in　Chichikov's　koliaska。

At　this　moment　a　voice　asked　to　be　shown　a　black　frockcoat。

〃The　devil　take　me　if　it　isn't　Khlobuev！〃　muttered　our　hero；　turning　his　back　upon　the　newcomer。　Unfortunately　the　other　had　seen　him。

〃Come；　come；　Paul　Ivanovitch！〃　he　expostulated。　〃Surely　you　do　not　intend　to　overlook　me？　I　have　been　searching　for　you　everywhere；　for　I　have　something　important　to　say　to　you。〃

〃My　dear　sir；　my　very　dear　sir；〃　said　Chichikov　as　he　pressed　Khlobuev's　hand；　〃I　can　assure　you　that；　had　I　the　necessary　leisure；　I　should　at　all　times　be　charmed　to　converse　with　you。〃　And　mentally　he　added：　〃Would　that　the　Evil　One　would　fly　away　with　you！〃

Almost　at　the　same　time　Murazov；　the　great　landowner；　entered　the　shop。　As　he　did　so　our　hero　hastened　to　exclaim：　〃Why；　it　is　Athanasi　Vassilievitch！　How　ARE　you；　my　very　dear　sir？〃

〃Well　enough；〃　replied　Murazov；　removing　his　cap　（Khlobuev　and　the　shopman　had　already　done　the　same）。　〃How；　may　I　ask；　are　YOU？〃

〃But　poorly；〃　replied　Chichikov；　〃for　of　late　I　have　been　troubled　with　indigestion；　and　my　sleep　is　bad。　I　do　not　get　sufficient　exercise。〃

However；　instead　of　probing　deeper　into　the　subject　of　Chichikov's　ailments；　Murazov　turned　to　Khlobuev。

〃I　saw　you　enter　the　shop；〃　he　said；　〃and　therefore　followed　you；　for　I　have　something　important　for　your　ear。　Could　you　spare　me　a　minute　or　two？〃

〃Certainly；　certainly；〃　said　Khlobuev；　and　the　pair　left　the　shop　together。

〃I　wonder　what　is　afoot　between　them；〃　said　Chichikov　to　himself。

〃A　wise　and　noble　gentleman；　Athanasi　Vassilievitch！〃　remarked　the　tradesman。　Chichikov　made　no　reply　save　a　gesture。

〃Paul　Ivanovitch；　I　have　been　looking　for　you　everywhere；〃　Lienitsin's　voice　said　from　behind　him；　while　again　the　tradesman　hastened　to　remove　his　cap。　〃Pray　come　home　with　me；　for　I　have　something　to　say　to　you。〃

Chichikov　scanned　the　speaker's　face；　but　could　make　nothing　of　it。　Paying　the　tradesman　for　the　cloth；　he　left　the　shop。

Meanwhile　Murazov　had　conveyed　Khlobuev　to　his　rooms。

〃Tell　me；〃　he　said　to　his　guest；　〃exactly　how　your　affairs　stand。　I　take　it　that；　after　all；　your　aunt　left　you　something？〃

〃It　would　be　difficult　to　say　whether　or　not　my　affairs　are　improved；〃　replied　Khlobuev。　〃True；　fifty　souls　and　thirty　thousand　roubles　came　to　me　from　Madame　Khanasarova；　but　I　had　to　pay　them　away　to　satisfy　my　debts。　Consequently　I　am　once　more　destitute。　But　the　important　point　is　that　there　was　trickery　connected　with　the　legacy；　and　shameful　trickery　at　that。　Yes；　though　it　may　surprise　you；　it　is　a　fact　that　that　fellow　Chichikov〃

〃Yes；　Semen　Semenovitch；　but；　before　you　go　on　to　speak　of　Chichikov；　pray　tell　me　something　about　yourself；　and　how　much；　in　your　opinion；　would　be　sufficient　to　clear　you　of　your　difficulties？〃

〃My　difficulties　are　grievous；〃　replied　Khlobuev。　〃To　rid　myself　of　them；　and　also　to　have　enough　to　go　on　with；　I　should　need　to　acquire　at　least　a　hundred　thousand　roubles；　if　not　more。　In　short；　things　are　becoming　impossible　for　me。〃

〃And；　had　you　the　money；　what　should　you　do　with　it？〃

〃I　should　rent　a　tenement；　and　devote　myself　to　the　education　of　my　children。　Not　a　thought　should　I　give　to　myself；　for　my　career　is　over；　seeing　that　it　is　impossible　for　me　to　re…enter　the　Civil　Service　and　I　am　good　for　nothing　else。〃

〃Nevertheless；　when　a　man　is　leading　an　idle　life　he　is　apt　to　incur　temptations　which　shun　his　better…employed　brother。〃

〃Yes；　but　beyond　question　I　am　good　for　nothing；　so　broken　is　my　health；　and　such　a　martyr　I　am　to　dyspepsia。〃

〃But　how　to　you　propose　to　live　without　working？　How　can　a　man　like　you　exist　without　a　post　or　a　position　of　any　kind？　Look　around　you　at　the　works　of　God。　Everything　has　its　proper　function；　and　pursues　its　proper　course。　Even　a　stone　can　be　used　for　one　purpose　or　another。　How；　then；　can　it　be　right　for　a　man　who　is　a　thinking　being　to　remain　a　drone？〃

〃But　I　should　not　be　a　drone；　for　I　should　employ　myself　with　the　education　of　my　children。〃

〃No；　Semen　Semenovitchno：　THAT　you　would　find　the　hardest　task　of　all。　For　how　can　a　man　educate　his　children　who　has　never　even　educated　himself？　Instruction　can　be　imparted　to　children　only　through　the　medium　of　example；　and　would　a　life　like　yours　furnish　them　with　a　profitable　examplea　life　which　has　been　spent　in　idleness　and　the　playing　of　cards？　No；　Semen　Semenovitch。　You　had　far　better　hand　your　children　over　to　me。　Otherwise　they　will　be　ruined。　Do　not　think　that　I　am　jesting。　Idleness　has　wrecked　your　life；　and　you　must　flee　from　it。　Can　a　man　live　with　nothing　to　keep　him　in　place？　Even　a　journeyman　labourer　who　earns　the　barest　pittance　may　take　an　interest　in　his　occupation。〃

〃Athanasi　Vassilievitch；　I　have　tried　to　overcome　myself；　but　what　further　resource　l