ChichikovplacedthenotesinSobakevitch\'shand；whereuponthehostmovednearertothetable，andaddedtothelistofserfsanotethathehadreceivedforthepeasants，therewithsold，thesumoftwenty-fiveroubles，asearnestmoney。Thisdone，hecountedthenotesoncemore。
“ThisisaveryOLDnote，“heremarked，holdingoneuptothelight。
“Also，itisatrifletorn。However，inafriendlytransactiononemustnotbetooparticular。“
“Whatakulak！”thoughtChichikovtohimself。“Andwhatabrutebeast！”
“ThenyoudonotwantanyWOMENsouls？”queriedSobakevitch。
“Ithankyou，no。“
“Icouldletyouhavesomecheap——say，asbetweenfriends，ataroubleahead？”
“No，Ishouldhavenouseforthem。“
“Then，thatbeingso，thereisnomoretobesaid。Thereisnoaccountingfortastes。\'Onemanlovesthepriest，andanotherthepriest\'swife，\'saystheproverb。“
Chichikovrosetotakehisleave。“OncemoreIwouldrequestofyou，“
hesaid，“thatthebargainbeleftasitis。“
“Ofcourse，ofcourse。Whatisdonebetweenfriendsholdsgoodbecauseoftheirmutualfriendship。Good-bye，andthankyouforyourvisit。InadvanceIwouldbegthat，wheneveryoushouldhaveanhourortwotospare，youwillcomeandlunchwithusagain。Perhapswemightbeabletodooneanotherfurtherservice？”
“NotifIknowit！”reflectedChichikovashemountedhisbritchka。
“NotI，seeingthatIhavehadtwoandahalfroublespersoulsqueezedoutofmebyabruteofakulak！”
AltogetherhefeltdissatisfiedwithSobakevitch\'sbehaviour。InspiteofthemanbeingafriendoftheGovernorandtheChiefofPolice，hehadactedlikeanoutsiderintakingmoneyforwhatwasworthlessrubbish。AsthebritchkaleftthecourtyardChichikovglancedbackandsawSobakevitchstillstandingontheverandah——apparentlyforthepurposeofwatchingtoseewhichwaytheguest\'scarriagewouldturn。
“Theoldvillain，tobestillstandingthere！”mutteredChichikovthroughhisteeth；afterwhichheorderedSelifantoproceedsothatthevehicle\'sprogressshouldbeinvisiblefromthemansion——thetruthbeingthathehadamindnexttovisitPlushkin(whoseserfs，toquoteSobakevitch，hadahabitofdyinglikeflies)，butnottolethislatehostlearnofhisintention。Accordingly，onreachingthefurtherendofthevillage，hehailedthefirstpeasantwhomhesaw——amanwhowasintheactofhoistingaponderousbeamontohisshoulderbeforesettingoffwithit，ant-like，tohishut。
“Hi！”shoutedChichikov。“HowcanIreachlandownerPlushkin\'splacewithoutfirstgoingpastthemansionhere？”
Thepeasantseemednonplussedbythequestion。
“Don\'tyouknow？”queriedChichikov。
“No，barin，“repliedthepeasant。
“What？Youdon\'tknowskinflintPlushkinwhofeedshispeoplesobadly？”
“OfcourseIdo！”exclaimedthefellow，andaddedtheretoanuncomplimentaryexpressionofaspeciesnotordinarilyemployedinpolitesociety。Wemayguessthatitwasaprettyaptexpression，sincelongafterthemanhadbecomelosttoviewChichikovwasstilllaughinginhisbritchka。And，indeed，thelanguageoftheRussianpopulaceisalwaysforcibleinitsphraseology。
CHAPTERVI
Chichikov\'samusementatthepeasant\'soutburstpreventedhimfromnoticingthathehadreachedthecentreofalargeandpopulousvillage；but，presently，aviolentjoltarousedhimtothefactthathewasdrivingoverwoodenpavementsofakindcomparedwithwhichthecobblestonesofthetownhadbeenasnothing。Likethekeysofapiano，theplankskeptrisingandfalling，andunguardedpassageoverthementailedeitherabumponthebackoftheneckorabruiseontheforeheadorabiteonthetipofone\'stongue。AtthesametimeChichikovnoticedalookofdecayaboutthebuildingsofthevillage。
Thebeamsofthehutshadgrowndarkwithage，manyoftheirroofswereriddledwithholes，othershadbutatileoftheroofremaining，andyetotherswerereducedtotherib-likeframeworkofthesame。Itwouldseemasthoughtheinhabitantsthemselveshadremovedthelathsandtraverses，ontheverynaturalpleathatthehutswerenoprotectionagainsttherain，andtherefore，sincethelatterenteredinbucketfuls，therewasnoparticularobjecttobegainedbysittinginsuchhutswhenallthetimetherewasthetavernandthehighroadandotherplacestoresortto。
Suddenlyawomanappearedfromanoutbuilding——apparentlythehousekeeperofthemansion，butsoroughlyanddirtilydressedasalmosttoseemindistinguishablefromaman。Chichikovinquiredforthemasteroftheplace。
“Heisnotathome，“shereplied，almostbeforeherinterlocutorhadhadtimetofinish。Thensheadded：“Whatdoyouwantwithhim？”
“Ihavesomebusinesstodo，“saidChichikov。
“Thenpraywalkintothehouse，“thewomanadvised。Thensheturneduponhimabackthatwassmearedwithflourandhadalongslitinthelowerportionofitscovering。Enteringalarge，darkhallwhichreekedlikeatomb，hepassedintoanequallydarkparlourthatwaslightedonlybysuchraysascontrivedtofilterthroughacrackunderthedoor。WhenChichikovopenedthedoorinquestion，thespectacleoftheuntidinesswithinstruckhimalmostwithamazement。Itwouldseemthatthefloorwasneverwashed，andthattheroomwasusedasareceptacleforeveryconceivablekindoffurniture。Onatablestoodaraggedchair，with，besideit，aclockminusapendulumandcoveredalloverwithcobwebs。Againstawallleantacupboard，fullofoldsilver，glassware，andchina。Onawritingtable，inlaidwithmother-of-pearlwhich，inplaces，hadbrokenawayandleftbehinditanumberofyellowgrooves(stuffedwithputty)，layapileoffinelywrittenmanuscript，anoverturnedmarblepress(turninggreen)，anancientbookinaleathercoverwithrededges，alemondriedandshrunkentothedimensionsofahazelnut，thebrokenarmofachair，atumblercontainingthedregsofsomeliquidandthreeflies(thewholecoveredoverwithasheetofnotepaper)，apileofrags，twoink-encrustedpens，andayellowtoothpickwithwhichthemasterofthehousehadpickedhisteeth(apparently)atleastbeforethecomingoftheFrenchtoMoscow。Asforthewalls，theywerehungwithamedleyofpictures。Amongthelatterwasalongengravingofabattlescene，whereinsoldiersinthree-corneredhatswerebrandishinghugedrumsandslenderlances。Itlackedaglass，andwassetinaframeornamentedwithbronzefretworkandbronzecornerrings。Besideithungahuge，grimyoilpaintingrepresentativeofsomeflowersandfruit，halfawatermelon，aboar\'shead，andthependentformofadeadwildduck。Attachedtotheceilingtherewasachandelierinahollandcovering——thecoveringsodustyascloselytoresembleahugecocoonenclosingacaterpillar。Lastly，inonecorneroftheroomlayapileofarticleswhichhadevidentlybeenadjudgedunworthyofaplaceonthetable。Yetwhatthepileconsistedofitwouldhavebeendifficulttosay，seeingthatthedustonthesamewassothickthatanyhandwhichtoucheditwouldhaveatonceresembledaglove。
Prominentlyprotrudingfromthepilewastheshaftofawoodenspadeandtheantiquatedsoleofashoe。Neverwouldonehavesupposedthatalivingcreaturehadtenantedtheroom，wereitnotthatthepresenceofsuchacreaturewasbetrayedbythespectacleofanoldnightcaprestingonthetable。
WhilstChichikovwasgazingatthisextraordinarymess，asidedooropenedandthereenteredthehousekeeperwhohadmethimneartheoutbuildings。ButnowChichikovperceivedthispersontobeamanratherthanawoman，sinceafemalehousekeeperwouldhavehadnobeardtoshave，whereasthechinofthenewcomer，withthelowerportionofhischeeks，stronglyresembledthecurry-combwhichisusedforgroominghorses。Chichikovassumedaquestioningair，andwaitedtohearwhatthehousekeepermighthavetosay。Thehousekeeperdidthesame。Atlength，surprisedatthemisunderstanding，Chichikovdecidedtoaskthefirstquestion。
“Isthemasterathome？”heinquired。
“Yes，“repliedthepersonaddressed。
“Thenwereishe？”continuedChichikov。
“Areyoublind，mygoodsir？”retortedtheother。“_I_amthemaster。“
Involuntarilyourherostartedandstared。Duringhistravelsithadbefallenhimtomeetvarioustypesofmen——someofthem，itmaybe，typeswhichyouandIhaveneverencountered；buteventoChichikovthisparticularspecieswasnew。Intheoldman\'sfacetherewasnothingveryspecial——itwasmuchlikethewizenedfaceofmanyanotherdotard，savethatthechinwassogreatlyprojectedthatwheneverhespokehewasforcedtowipeitwithahandkerchieftoavoiddribbling，andthathissmalleyeswerenotyetgrowndull，buttwinkledundertheiroverhangingbrowsliketheeyesofmicewhen，withattentiveearsandsensitivewhiskers，theysnufftheairandpeerforthfromtheirholestoseewhetheracatoraboymaynotbeinthevicinity。No，themostnoticeablefeatureaboutthemanwashisclothes。Innowaycouldithavebeenguessedofwhathiscoatwasmade，forbothitssleevesanditsskirtsweresoraggedandfilthyastodefydescription，whileinsteadoftwoposteriortails，theredangledfourofthoseappendages，with，projectingfromthem，atornnewspaper。Also，aroundhisnecktherewaswrappedsomethingwhichmighthavebeenastocking，agarter，orastomacher，butwascertainlynotatie。Inshort，hadChichikovchancedtoencounterhimatachurchdoor，hewouldhavebestoweduponhimacopperortwo(for，todoourherojustice，hehadasympatheticheartandneverrefrainedfrompresentingabeggarwithalms)，butinthepresentcasetherewasstandingbeforehim，notamendicant，butalandowner——andalandownerpossessedoffullyathousandserfs，thesuperiorofallhisneighboursinwealthofflourandgrain，andtheownerofstorehouses，andsoforth，thatwerecrammedwithhomespunclothandlinen，tannedandundressedsheepskins，driedfish，andeveryconceivablespeciesofproduce。Nevertheless，suchaphenomenonisrareinRussia，wherethetendencyisrathertoprodigalitythantoparsimony。
ForseveralminutesPlushkinstoodmute，whileChichikovremainedsodazedwiththeappearanceofthehostandeverythingelseintheroom，thathetoo，couldnotbeginaconversation，butstoodwonderinghowbesttofindwordsinwhichtoexplaintheobjectofhisvisit。Forawhilehethoughtofexpressinghimselftotheeffectthat，havingheardsomuchofhishost\'sbenevolenceandotherrarequalitiesofspirit，hehadconsideredithisdutytocomeandpayatributeofrespect；butpresentlyevenHEcametotheconclusionthatthiswouldbeoverdoingthething，and，afteranotherglanceroundtheroom，decidedthatthephrase“benevolenceandotherrarequalitiesofspirit“mighttoadvantagegiveplaceto“economyandgeniusformethod。“Accordingly，thespeechmentallycomposed，hesaidaloudthat，havingheardofPlushkin\'stalentsforthriftyandsystematicmanagement，hehadconsideredhimselfboundtomaketheacquaintanceofhishost，andtopresenthimwithhispersonalcompliments(IneedhardlysaythatChichikovcouldeasilyhaveallegedabetterreason，hadanybetteronehappened，atthemoment，tohavecomeintohishead)。
WithtoothlessgumsPlushkinmurmuredsomethinginreply，butnothingisknownastoitsprecisetermsbeyondthatitincludedastatementthatthedevilwasatlibertytoflyawaywithChichikov\'ssentiments。
However，thelawsofRussianhospitalitydonotpermitevenofamiserinfringingtheirrules；whereforePlushkinaddedtotheforegoingamorecivilinvitationtobeseated。
“ItislongsinceIlastreceivedavisitor，“hewenton。“Also，I
feelboundtosaythatIcanseelittlegoodintheircoming。Onceintroducetheabominablecustomoffolkpayingcalls，andforthwiththerewillensuesuchruintothemanagementofestatesthatlandownerswillbeforcedtofeedtheirhorsesonhay。Notforalong，longtimehaveIeatenamealawayfromhome——althoughmyownkitchenisapoorone，andhasitschimneyinsuchastatethat，wereittobecomeoverheated，itwouldinstantlycatchfire。“
“Whatabrute！”thoughtChichikov。“IamluckytohavegotthroughsomuchpastryandstuffedshoulderofmuttonatSobakevitch\'s！”
“Also，“wentonPlushkin，“Iamashamedtosaythathardlyawispoffodderdoestheplacecontain。ButhowcanIgetfodder？Mylandsaresmall，andthepeasantrylazyfellowswhohateworkandthinkofnothingbutthetavern。Intheend，therefore，Ishallbeforcedtogoandspendmyoldageinroamingabouttheworld。“
“ButIhavebeentoldthatyoupossessoverathousandserfs？”saidChichikov。
“Whotoldyouthat？Nomatterwhoitwas，youwouldhavebeenjustifiedingivinghimthelie。Hemusthavebeenajesterwhowantedtomakeafoolofyou。Athousandsouls，indeed！Why，justreckonthetaxesonthem，andseewhattherewouldbeleft！Forthesethreeyearsthataccursedfeverhasbeenkillingoffmyserfswholesale。“
“Wholesale，yousay？”echoedChichikov，greatlyinterested。
“Yes，wholesale，“repliedtheoldman。
“ThenmightIaskyoutheexactnumber？”
“Fullyeighty。“
“Surelynot？”
“Butitisso。“
“ThenmightIalsoaskwhetheritisfromthedateofthelastcensusrevisionthatyouarereckoningthesesouls？”
“Yes，damnit！AndsincethatdateIhavebeenbledfortaxesuponahundredandtwentysoulsinall。“
“Indeed？Uponahundredandtwentysoulsinall！”AndChichikov\'ssurpriseandelationweresuchthat，thissaid，heremainedsittingopen-mouthed。
“Yes，goodsir，“repliedPlushkin。“Iamtoooldtotellyoulies，forIhavepassedmyseventiethyear。“
SomehowheseemedtohavetakenoffenceatChichikov\'salmostjoyousexclamation；whereforetheguesthastenedtoheaveaprofoundsigh，andtoobservethathesympathisedtothefullwithhishost\'smisfortunes。
“Butsympathydoesnotputanythingintoone\'spocket，“retortedPlushkin。“Forinstance，Ihaveakinsmanwhoisconstantlyplaguingme。Heisacaptaininthearmy，damnhim，andalldayhedoesnothingbutcallme\'dearuncle，\'andkissmyhand，andexpresssympathyuntilIamforcedtostopmyears。Yousee，hehassquanderedallhismoneyuponhisbrother-officers，aswellasmadeafoolofhimselfwithanactress；sonowhespendshistimeintellingmethathehasasympatheticheart！”
ChichikovhastenedtoexplainthatHISsympathyhadnothingincommonwiththecaptain\'s，sincehedealt，notinemptywordsalone，butinactualdeeds；inproofofwhichhewasreadythenandthere(forthepurposeofcuttingthemattershort，andofdispensingwithcircumlocution)totransfertohimselftheobligationofpayingthetaxesdueuponsuchserfsasPlushkin\'sashad，intheunfortunatemannerjustdescribed，departedthisworld。TheproposalseemedtoastonishPlushkin，forhesatstaringopen-eyed。Atlengthheinquired：
“Mydearsir，haveyouseenmilitaryservice？”
“No，“repliedtheotherwarily，“butIhavebeenamemberoftheCIVILService。“
“Oh！OftheCIVILService？”AndPlushkinsatmovinghislipsasthoughhewerechewingsomething。“Well，whatofyourproposal？”headdedpresently。“Areyoupreparedtolosebyit？”
“Yes，certainly，iftherebyIcanpleaseyou。“
“Mydearsir！Mygoodbenefactor！”InhisdelightPlushkinlostsightofthefactthathisnosewascakedwithsnuffoftheconsistencyofthickcoffee，andthathiscoathadpartedinfrontandwasdisclosingsomeveryunseemlyunderclothing。“Whatcomfortyouhavebroughttoanoldman！Yes，asGodismywitness！”
Forthemomenthecouldsaynomore。Yetbarelyaminutehadelapsedbeforethisinstantaneouslyarousedemotionhad，asinstantaneously，disappearedfromhiswoodenfeatures。Oncemoretheyassumedacarewornexpression，andheevenwipedhisfacewithhishandkerchief，thenrolleditintoaball，andrubbedittoandfroagainsthisupperlip。
“Ifitwillnotannoyyouagaintostatetheproposal，“hewenton，“whatyouundertaketodoistopaytheannualtaxuponthesesouls，andtoremitthemoneyeithertomeortotheTreasury？”
“Yes，thatishowitshallbedone。Wewilldrawupadeedofpurchaseasthoughthesoulswerestillaliveandyouhadsoldthemtomyself。“
“Quiteso——adeedofpurchase，“echoedPlushkin，oncemorerelapsingintothoughtandthechewingmotionofthelips。“Butadeedofsuchakindwillentailcertainexpenses，andlawyersaresodevoidofconscience！Infact，soextortionateistheiravaricethattheywillchargeonehalfarouble，andthenasackofflour，andthenawholewaggon-loadofmeal。Iwonderthatnoonehasyetcalledattentiontothesystem。“
UponthatChichikovintimatedthat，outofrespectforhishost，hehimselfwouldbearthecostofthetransferofsouls。ThisledPlushkintoconcludethathisguestmustbethekindofunconscionablefoolwho，whilepretendingtohavebeenamemberoftheCivilService，hasinrealityservedinthearmyandrunafteractresses；whereforetheoldmannolongerdisguisedhisdelight，butcalleddownblessingsalikeuponChichikov\'sheadanduponthoseofhischildren(hehadnevereveninquiredwhetherChichikovpossessedafamily)。Next，heshuffledtothewindow，and，tappingoneofitspanes，shoutedthenameof“Proshka。“Immediatelysomeoneranquicklyintothehall，and，aftermuchstampingoffeet，burstintotheroom。ThiswasProshka——athirteen-year-oldyoungsterwhowasshodwithbootsofsuchdimensionsasalmosttoengulfhislegsashewalked。ThereasonwhyhehadenteredthusshodwasthatPlushkinonlykeptonepairofbootsforthewholeofhisdomesticstaff。Thisuniversalpairwasstationedinthehallofthemansion，sothatanyservantwhowassummonedtothehousemightdonthesaidbootsafterwadingbarefootedthroughthemudofthecourtyard，andentertheparlourdry-shod——subsequentlyleavingthebootswherehehadfoundthem，anddepartinginhisformerbarefootedcondition。Indeed，hadanyone，onaslushywinter\'smorning，glancedfromawindowintothesaidcourtyard，hewouldhaveseenPlushkin\'sservitorsperformingsaltatoryfeatsworthyofthemostvigorousofstage-dancers。
“Lookatthatboy\'sface！”saidPlushkintoChichikovashepointedtoProshka。“Itisstupidenough，yet，layanythingaside，andinatricehewillhavestolenit。Well，mylad，whatdoyouwant？”
Hepausedamomentortwo，butProshkamadenoreply。
“Come，come！”wentontheoldman。“Setoutthesamovar，andthengiveMavrathekeyofthestore-room——hereitis——andtellhertogetoutsomeloafsugarfortea。Here！Waitanothermoment，fool！Isthedevilinyourlegsthattheyitchsotobeoff？ListentowhatmoreIhavetotellyou。TellMavrathatthesugarontheoutsideoftheloafhasgonebad，sothatshemustscrapeitoffwithaknife，andNOTthrowawaythescrapings，butgivethemtothepoultry。Also，seethatyouyourselfdon\'tgointothestoreroom，orIwillgiveyouabirchingthatyouwon\'tcarefor。Yourappetiteisgoodenoughalready，butabetteronewon\'thurtyou。Don\'tevenTRYtogointothestoreroom，forIshallbewatchingyoufromthiswindow。“
“Yousee，“theoldmanaddedtoChichikov，“onecannevertrustthesefellows。“Presently，whenProshkaandthebootshaddeparted，hefelltogazingathisguestwithanequallydistrustfulair，sincecertainfeaturesinChichikov\'sbenevolencenowstruckhimasalittleopentoquestion，andhehadbegintothinktohimself：“Afterall，thedevilonlyknowswhoheis——whetherabraggart，likemostofthesespendthrifts，orafellowwhoislyingmerelyinordertogetsometeaoutofme。“Finally，hiscircumspection，combinedwithadesiretotesthisguest，ledhimtoremarkthatitmightbewelltocompletethetransactionIMMEDIATELY，sincehehadnotovermuchconfidenceinhumanity，seeingthatamanmightbealiveto-dayanddeadto-morrow。
TothisChichikovassentedreadilyenough——merelyaddingthatheshouldlikefirstofalltobefurnishedwithalistofthedeadsouls。ThisreassuredPlushkinastohisguest\'sintentionofdoingbusiness，sohegotouthiskeys，approachedacupboard，and，havingpulledbackthedoor，rummagedamongthecupsandglasseswithwhichitwasfilled。Atlengthhesaid：
“Icannotfinditnow，butIusedtopossessasplendidbottleofliquor。Probablytheservantshavedrunkitall，fortheyaresuchthieves。Ohno：perhapsthisisit！”
Lookingup，ChichikovsawthatPlushkinhadextractedadecantercoatedwithdust。
“Mylatewifemadethestuff，“wentontheoldman，“butthatrascalofahousekeeperwentandthrewawayalotofit，andneverevenreplacedthestopper。Consequentlybugsandothernastycreaturesgotintothedecanter，butIcleaneditout，andnowbegtoofferyouaglassful。“
TheideaofadrinkfromsuchareceptaclewastoomuchforChichikov，soheexcusedhimselfonthegroundthathehadjusthadluncheon。
“Youhavejusthadluncheon？”re-echoedPlushkin。“Now，THATshowshowinvariablyonecantellamanofgoodsociety，wheresoeveronemaybe。Amanofthatkindnevereatsanything——healwayssaysthathehashadenough。Verydifferentthatfromthewaysofarogue，whomonecanneversatisfy，howevermuchonemaygivehim。Forinstance，thatcaptainofmineisconstantlybeggingmetolethimhaveameal——thoughheisaboutasmuchmynephewasIamhisgrandfather。Asithappens，thereisneverabiteofanythinginthehouse，sohehastogoawayempty。Butaboutthelistofthosegood-for-nothingsouls——Ihappentopossesssuchalist，sinceIhavedrawnoneupinreadinessforthenextrevision。“
WiththatPlushkindonnedhisspectacles，andoncemorestartedtorummageinthecupboard，andtosmotherhisguestwithdustasheuntiedsuccessivepackagesofpapers——somuchsothathisvictimburstoutsneezing。Finallyheextractedamuch-scribbleddocumentinwhichthenamesofthedeceasedpeasantslayasclose-packedasacloudofmidges，fortherewereahundredandtwentyoftheminall。Chichikovgrinnedwithjoyatthesightofthemultitude。Stuffingthelistintohispocket，heremarkedthat，tocompletethetransaction，itwouldbenecessarytoreturntothetown。
“Tothetown？”repeatedPlushkin。“Butwhy？Moreover，howcouldI
leavethehouse，seeingthateveryoneofmyservantsiseitherathieforarogue？Daybydaytheypilferthings，untilsoonIshallhavenotasinglecoattohangonmyback。“
“Thenyoupossessacquaintancesinthetown？”
“Acquaintances？No。EveryacquaintancewhomIeverpossessedhaseitherleftmeorisdead。Butstopamoment。IDOknowthePresidentoftheCouncil。Eveninmyoldagehehasonceortwicecometovisitme，forheandIusedtobeschoolfellows，andtogoclimbingwallstogether。Yes，himIdoknow。ShallIwritehimaletter？”
“Byallmeans。“
“Yes，himIknowwell，forwewerefriendstogetheratschool。“
OverPlushkin\'swoodenfeaturestherehadgleamedarayofwarmth——araywhichexpressed，ifnotfeeling，atalleventsfeeling\'spalereflection。Justsuchaphenomenonmaybewitnessedwhen，forabriefmoment，adrowningmanmakesalastre-appearanceonthesurfaceofariver，andthererisesfromthecrowdliningthebanksacryofhopethatevenyettheexhaustedhandsmayclutchtheropewhichhasbeenthrownhim——mayclutchitbeforethesurfaceoftheunstableelementshallhaveresumedforeveritscalm，dreadvacuity。Butthehopeisshort-lived，andthehandsdisappear。EvensodidPlushkin\'sface，afteritsmomentarymanifestationoffeeling，becomemeanerandmoreinsensiblethanever。
“Thereusedtobeasheetofcleanwritingpaperlyingonthetable，“
hewenton。“ButwhereitisnowIcannotthink。Thatcomesofmyservantsbeingsuchrascals。“
Whitthathefelltolookingalsounderthetable，aswellastohurryingaboutwithcriesof“Mavra，Mavra！”Atlengththecallwasansweredbyawomanwithaplatefulofthesugarofwhichmentionhasbeenmade；whereuponthereensuedthefollowingconversation。
“Whathaveyoudonewithmypieceofwritingpaper，youpilferer？”
“IswearthatIhaveseennopaperexceptthebitwithwhichyoucoveredtheglass。“
“Yourveryfacetellsmethatyouhavemadeoffwithit。“
“WhyshouldImakeoffwithit？\'Twouldbeofnousetome，forIcanneitherreadnorwrite。“
“Youlie！Youhavetakenitawayforthesextontoscribbleupon。“
“Well，ifthesextonwantedpaperhecouldgetsomeforhimself。
NeitherhenorIhaveseteyesuponyourpiece。“
“Ah！Waitabit，forontheJudgmentDayyouwillberoastedbydevilsonironspits。Justseeifyouarenot！”
“ButwhyshouldIberoastedwhenIhaveneverevenTOUCHEDthepaper？Youmightaccusemeofanyotherfaultthantheft。“
“Nay，devilsshallroastyou，sureenough。Theywillsaytoyou，\'Badwoman，wearedoingthisbecauseyourobbedyourmaster，\'andthenstokeupthefirestillhotter。“
“Nevertheless_I_shallcontinuetosay，\'Youareroastingmefornothing，forIneverstoleanythingatall。\'Why，THEREitis，lyingonthetable！Youhavebeenaccusingmefornoreasonwhatever！”
And，sureenough，thesheetofpaperwaslyingbeforePlushkin\'sveryeyes。Foramomentortwohechewedsilently。Thenhewenton：
“Well，andwhatareyoumakingsuchanoiseabout？Ifonesaysasinglewordtoyou，youanswerbackwithten。Goandfetchmeacandletosealaletterwith。AndmindyoubringaTALLOWcandle，foritwillnotcostsomuchastheothersort。Andbringmeamatchtoo。“
Mavradeparted，andPlushkin，seatinghimself，andtakingupapen，satturningthesheetofpaperoverandover，asthoughindoubtwhethertotearfromityetanothermorsel。Atlengthhecametotheconclusionthatitwasimpossibletodoso，andtherefore，dippingthepenintothemixtureofmouldyfluidanddeadflieswhichtheinkbottlecontained，startedtoinditetheletterincharactersasboldasthenotesofamusicscore，whilemomentarilycheckingthespeedofhishand，lestitshouldmeandertoomuchoverthepaper，andcrawlingfromlinetolineasthoughheregrettedthattherewassolittlevacantspaceleftonthesheet。
“Anddoyouhappentoknowanyonetowhomafewrunawayserfswouldbeofuse？”heaskedassubsequentlyhefoldedtheletter。
“What？Youhavesomerunawaysaswell？”exclaimedChichikov，againgreatlyinterested。
“CertainlyIhave。Myson-in-lawhaslaidthenecessaryinformationagainstthem，butsaysthattheirtrackshavegrowncold。However，heisonlyamilitaryman——thatistosay，goodatclinkingapairofspurs，butofnouseforlayingapleabeforeacourt。“
“Andhowmanyrunawayshaveyou？”
“Aboutseventy。“
“Surelynot？”
“Alas，yes。Neverdoesayearpasswithoutacertainnumberofthemmakingoff。Yetsogluttonousandidlearemyserfsthattheyaresimplyburstingwithfood，whereasIscarcelygetenoughtoeat。I
willtakeanypriceforthemthatyoumaycaretooffer。Tellyourfriendsaboutit，and，shouldtheyfindevenascoreoftherunaways，itwillrepaythemhandsomely，seeingthatalivingserfonthecensuslistisatpresentworthfivehundredroubles。“
“Perhapsso，butIamnotgoingtoletanyonebutmyselfhaveafingerinthis，“thoughtChichikovtohimself；afterwhichheexplainedtoPlushkinthatafriendofthekindmentionedwouldbeimpossibletodiscover，sincethelegalexpensesoftheenterprisewouldleadtothesaidfriendhavingtocuttheverytailfromhiscoatbeforehewouldgetclearofthelawyers。
“Nevertheless，“addedChichikov，“seeingthatyouaresohardpressedformoney，andthatIamsointerestedinthematter，Ifeelmovedtoadvanceyou——well，toadvanceyousuchatrifleaswouldscarcelybeworthmentioning。“
“Buthowmuchisit？”askedPlushkineagerly，andwithhishandstremblinglikequicksilver。
“Twenty-fivekopeckspersoul。“
“What？Inreadymoney？”
“Yes——inmoneydown。“
“Nevertheless，considermypoverty，dearfriend，andmakeitFORTY
kopeckspersoul。“
“Venerablesir，wouldthatIcouldpayyounotmerelyfortykopecks，butfivehundredroubles。Ishouldbeonlytoodelightedifthatwerepossible，sinceIperceivethatyou，anagedandrespectedgentleman，aresufferingforyourowngoodnessofheart。“
“ByGod，thatistrue，thatistrue。“Plushkinhunghishead，andwaggeditfeeblyfromsidetoside。“Yes，allthatIhavedoneIhavedonepurelyoutofkindness。“
“SeehowinstantaneouslyIhavedivinedyournature！Bynowitwillhavebecomecleartoyouwhyitisimpossibleformetopayyoufivehundredroublesperrunawaysoul：forbynowyouwillhavegatheredthefactthatIamnotsufficientlyrich。Nevertheless，Iamreadytoaddanotherfivekopecks，andsotomakeitthateachrunawayserfshallcostme，inall，thirtykopecks。“
“Asyouplease，dearsir。Yetstretchanotherpoint，andthrowinanothertwokopecks。“
“Pardonme，butIcannot。Howmanyrunawayserfsdidyousaythatyoupossess？Seventy？”
“No；seventy-eight。“
“Seventy-eightsoulsatthirtykopeckseachwillamountto——to——“onlyforamomentdidourherohalt，sincehewasstronginhisarithmetic，“——willamounttotwenty-fourroubles，ninety-sixkopecks。“[1]
[1]NeverthelessChichikovwouldappeartohaveerred，sincemostpeoplewouldmakethesumamounttotwenty-threeroubles，fortykopecks。Ifso，Chichikovcheatedhimselfofonerouble，fifty-sixkopecks。
WiththatherequestedPlushkintomakeoutthereceipt，andthenhandedhimthemoney。Plushkintookitinbothhands，boreittoabureauwithasmuchcautionasthoughhewerecarryingaliquidwhichmightatanymomentsplashhimintheface，and，arrivedatthebureau，andglancingroundoncemore，carefullypackedthecashinoneofhismoneybags，where，doubtless，itwasdestinedtolieburieduntil，totheintensejoyofhisdaughtersandhisson-in-law(and，perhaps，ofthecaptainwhoclaimedkinshipwithhim)，heshouldhimselfreceiveburialatthehandsofFathersCarpandPolycarp，thetwopriestsattachedtohisvillage。Lastly，themoneyconcealed，Plushkinre-seatedhimselfinthearmchair，andseemedatalossforfurthermaterialforconversation。
“Areyouthinkingofstarting？”atlengthheinquired，onseeingChichikovmakingatriflingmovement，thoughthemovementwasonlytoextractfromhispocketahandkerchief。NeverthelessthequestionremindedChichikovthattherewasnofurtherexcuseforlingering。
“Yes，Imustbegoing，“hesaidashetookhishat。
“Thenwhataboutthetea？”
“Thankyou，Iwillhavesomeonmynextvisit。“
“What？EventhoughIhavejustorderedthesamovartobegotready？
Well，well！Imyselfdonotgreatlycarefortea，forIthinkitanexpensivebeverage。Moreover，thepriceofsugarhasrisenterribly。“
“Proshka！”hethenshouted。“Thesamovarwillnotbeneeded。ReturnthesugartoMavra，andtellhertoputitbackagain。Butno。Bringthesugarhere，and_I_willputitback。“
“Good-bye，dearsir，“finallyheaddedtoChichikov。“MaytheLordblessyou！HandthatlettertothePresidentoftheCouncil，andlethimreadit。Yes，heisanoldfriendofmine。Weknewoneanotherasschoolfellows。“
Withthatthisstrangephenomenon，thiswitheredoldman，escortedhisguesttothegatesofthecourtyard，and，aftertheguesthaddeparted，orderedthegatestobeclosed，madetheroundoftheoutbuildingsforthepurposeofascertainingwhetherthenumerouswatchmenwereattheirposts，peeredintothekitchen(where，underthepretenceofseeingwhetherhisservantswerebeingproperlyfed，hemadealightmealofcabbagesoupandgruel)，ratedthesaidservantssoundlyfortheirthievishnessandgeneralbadbehaviour，andthenreturnedtohisroom。Meditatinginsolitude，hefelltothinkinghowbesthecouldcontrivetorecompensehisguestforthelatter\'smeasurelessbenevolence。“Iwillpresenthim，“hethoughttohimself，“withawatch。Itisagoodsilverarticle——notoneofthosecheapmetalaffairs；andthoughithassufferedsomedamage，hecaneasilygetthatputright。Ayoungmanalwaysneedstogiveawatchtohisbetrothed。“
“No，“headdedafterfurtherthought。“Iwillleavehimthewatchinmywill，asakeepsake。“
Meanwhileourherowasbowlingalonginhighspirit。Suchanunexpectedacquisitionbothofdeadsoulsandofrunawayserfshadcomeasawindfall。EvenbeforereachingPlushkin\'svillagehehadhadapresentimentthathewoulddosuccessfulbusinessthere，butnotbusinessofsuchpre-eminentprofitablenessashadactuallyresulted。
Asheproceededhewhistled，hummedwithhandplacedtrumpetwisetohismouth，andendedbyburstingintoaburstofmelodysostrikingthatSelifan，afterlisteningforawhile，noddedhisheadandexclaimed，“Myword，butthemasterCANsing！”
Bythetimetheyreachedthetowndarknesshadfallen，andchangedthecharacterofthescene。Thebritchkaboundedoverthecobblestones，andatlengthturnedintothehostelry\'scourtyard，wherethetravellersweremetbyPetrushka。Withonehandholdingbackthetailsofhiscoat(whichheneverlikedtoseeflyapart)，thevaletassistedhismastertoalight。Thewaiterranoutwithcandleinhandandnapkinonshoulder。WhetherornotPetrushkawasgladtoseethebarinreturnitisimpossibletosay，butatalleventsheexchangedawinkwithSelifan，andhisordinarilymoroseexteriorseemedmomentarilytobrighten。
“Thenyouhavebeentravellingfar，sir？”saidthewaiter，ashelitthewayupstarts。
“Yes，“saidChichikov。“Whathashappenedhereinthemeanwhile？”
“Nothing，sir，“repliedthewaiter，bowing，“exceptthatlastnighttherearrivedamilitarylieutenant。Hehasgotroomnumbersixteen。“
“Alieutenant？”
“Yes。HecamefromRiazan，drivingthreegreyhorses。“
Onenteringhisroom，Chichikovclappedhishandtohisnose，andaskedhisvaletwhyhehadneverhadthewindowsopened。
“ButIdidhavethemopened，“repliedPetrushka。Neverthelessthiswasalie，asChichikovwellknew，thoughhewastootiredtocontestthepoint。Afterorderingandconsumingalightsupperofsuckingpig，heundressed，plungedbeneaththebedclothes，andsankintotheprofoundslumberwhichcomesonlytosuchfortunatefolkasaretroubledneitherwithmosquitoesnorfleasnorexcessiveactivityofbrain。
CHAPTERVII
WhenChichikovawokehestretchedhimselfandrealisedthathehadsleptwell。Foramomentortwohelayonhisback，andthensuddenlyclappedhishandsattherecollectionthathewasnowownerofnearlyfourhundredsouls。Atonceheleaptoutofbedwithoutsomuchasglancingathisfaceinthemirror，though，asarule，hehadmuchsolicitudeforhisfeatures，andespeciallyforhischin，ofwhichhewouldmakethemostwhenincompanywithfriends，andmoreparticularlyshouldanyonehappentoenterwhilehewasengagedintheprocessofshaving。“Lookhowroundmychinis！”washisusualformula。Onthepresentoccasion，however，helookedneitheratchinnoratanyotherfeature，butatoncedonnedhisflower-embroideredslippersofmorrocoleather(thekindofslippersinwhich，thankstotheRussianloveforadressing-gownedexistence，thetownofTorzhokdoessuchahugetrade)，and，cladonlyinameagreshirt，sofarforgothiselderlinessanddignityastocutacoupleofcapersafterthefashionofaScottishhighlander——alightingneatly，eachtime，ontheflatofhisheels。Onlywhenhehaddonethatdidheproceedtobusiness。Plantinghimselfbeforehisdispatch-box，herubbedhishandswithasatisfactionworthyofanincorruptibleruralmagistratewhenadjourningforluncheon；afterwhichheextractedfromthereceptacleabundleofpapers。Thesehehaddecidednottodepositwithalawyer，forthereasonthathewouldhastenmatters，aswellassaveexpense，byhimselfframingandfair-copyingthenecessarydeedsofindenture；andsincehewasthoroughlyacquaintedwiththenecessaryterminology，heproceededtoinscribeinlargecharactersthedate，andtheninsmallerones，hisnameandrank。Bytwoo\'clockthewholewasfinished，andashelookedatthesheetsofnamesrepresentingbygonepeasantswhohadploughed，workedathandicrafts，cheatedtheirmasters，fetched，carried，andgotdrunk(thoughSOME
ofthemmayhavebehavedwell)，therecameoverhimastrange，unaccountablesensation。Tohiseyeeachlistofnamesseemedtopossessacharacterofitsown；andevenindividualpeasantsthereinseemedtohavetakenoncertainqualitiespeculiartothemselves。Forinstance，tothemajorityofMadameKorobotchka\'sserfstherewereappendednicknamesandotheradditions；Plushkin\'slistwasdistinguishedbyaconcisenessofexpositionwhichhadledtocertainoftheitemsbeingrepresentedmerelybyChristianname，patronymic，andacoupleofdots；andSobakevitch\'slistwasremarkableforitsamplitudeandcircumstantiality，inthatnotasinglepeasanthadsuchofhispeculiarcharacteristicsomittedasthatthedeceasedhadbeen“excellentatjoinery，“or“soberandreadytopayattentiontohiswork。“Also，inSobakevitch\'slisttherewasrecordedwhohadbeenthefatherandthemotherofeachofthedeceased，andhowthoseparentshadbehavedthemselves。OnlyagainstthenameofacertainThedotovwasthereinscribed：“Fatherunknown，MotherthemaidservantKapitolina，MoralsandHonestygood。“Thesedetailscommunicatedtothedocumentacertainairoffreshness，theyseemedtoconnotethatthepeasantsinquestionhadlivedbutyesterday。AsChichikovscannedthelisthefeltsoftenedinspirit，andsaidwithasigh：
“Myfriends，whataconcourseofyouishere！Howdidyouallpassyourlives，mybrethren？Andhowdidyouallcometodeparthence？”
Ashespokehiseyeshaltedatonenameinparticular——thatofthesamePeterSavelievNeuvazhaiKoritowhohadoncebeenthepropertyofthewindowKorobotchka。Oncemorehecouldnothelpexclaiming：
“Whataseriesoftitles！Theyoccupyawholeline！PeterSaveliev，I
wonderwhetheryouwereanartisanoraplainmuzhik。Also，Iwonderhowyoucametomeetyourend；whetherinatavern，orwhetherthroughgoingtosleepinthemiddleoftheroadandbeingrunoverbyatrainofwaggons。Again，Iseethename，\'ProbkaStepan，carpenter，verysober。\'ThatmustbetheheroofwhomtheGuardswouldhavebeensogladtogethold。HowwellIcanimaginehimtrampingthecountrywithanaxeinhisbeltandhisbootsonhisshoulder，andlivingonafewgroats\'-worthofbreadanddriedfishperday，andtakinghomeacoupleofhalf-roublepiecesinhispurse，andsewingthenotesintohisbreeches，orstuffingthemintohisboots！Inwhatmannercameyoubyyourend，ProbkaStepan？Didyou，forgoodwages，mountascaffoldaroundthecupolaofthevillagechurch，and，climbingthencetothecrossabove，missyourfootingonabeam，andfallheadlongwithnoneathandbutUncleMichai——thegoodunclewho，scratchingthebackofhisneck，andmuttering，\'Ah，Vania，foronceyouhavebeentooclever！\'straightwaylashedhimselftoarope，andtookyourplace？
\'MaksimTeliatnikov，shoemaker。\'Ashoemaker，indeed？\'Asdrunkasashoemaker，\'saystheproverb。_I_knowwhatyouwerelike，myfriend。
Ifyouwish，Iwilltellyouyourwholehistory。YouwereapprenticedtoaGerman，whofedyouandyourfellowsatacommontable，thrashedyouwithastrap，keptyouindoorswheneveryouhadmadeamistake，andspokeofyouinuncomplimentarytermstohiswifeandfriends。Atlength，whenyourapprenticeshipwasover，yousaidtoyourself，\'Iamgoingtosetuponmyownaccount，andnotjusttoscrapetogetherakopeckhereandakopeckthere，astheGermansdo，buttogrowrichquick。\'Henceyoutookashopatahighrent，bespokeafeworders，andsettoworktobuyupsomerottenleatheroutofwhichyoucouldmake，oneachpairofboots，adoubleprofit。Butthosebootssplitwithinafortnight，andbroughtdownuponyourheaddireshowersofmaledictions；withtheresultthatgraduallyyourshopgrewemptyofcustomers，andyoufelltoroamingthestreetsandexclaiming，\'Theworldisaverypoorplaceindeed！ARussiancannotmakealivingforGermancompetition。\'Well，well！\'ElizabetaVorobei！\'ButthatisaWOMAN\'Sname！HowcomesSHEtobeonthelist？ThatvillainSobakevitchmusthavesneakedherinwithoutmyknowingit。“
“\'GrigoriGoiezhai-ne-Doiedesh，\'“hewenton。“WhatsortofamanwereYOU，Iwonder？Wereyouacarrierwho，havingsetupateamofthreehorsesandatiltwaggon，leftyourhome，yournativehovel，forever，anddepartedtocartmerchandisetomarket？WasitonthehighwaythatyousurrenderedyoursoultoGod，ordidyourfriendsfirstmarryyoutosomefat，red-facedsoldier\'sdaughter；afterwhichyourharnessandteamofrough，butsturdy，horsescaughtahighwayman\'sfancy，andyou，lyingonyourpallet，thoughtthingsoveruntil，willy-nilly，youfeltthatyoumustgetupandmakeforthetavern，thereafterblunderingintoanicehole？Ah，ourpeasantofRussia！Neverdoyouwelcomedeathwhenitcomes！”
“Andyou，myfriends？”continuedChichikov，turningtothesheetwhereonwereinscribedthenamesofPlushkin\'sabscondedserfs。
“Althoughyouarestillalive，whatisthegoodofyou？Youarepracticallydead。Whither，Iwonder，haveyourfugitivefeetcarriedyou？DidyoufarehardlyatPlushkin\'s，orwasitthatyournaturalinclinationsledyoutopreferroamingthewildsandplunderingtravellers？Areyou，bythistime，ingaol，orhaveyoutakenservicewithothermastersforthetillageoftheirlands？\'EremeiKariakin，NikitaVolokitaandAntonVolokita(sonoftheforegoing)。\'Tojudgefromyoursurnames，youwouldseemtohavebeenborngadabouts[1]。
\'Popov，householdserf。\'Probablyyouareaneducatedman，goodPopov，andgoinforpolitethieving，asdistinguishedfromthemorevulgarcut-throatsort。Inmymind\'seyeIseemtoseeaCaptainofRuralPolicechallengingyouforbeingwithoutapassport；whereuponyoustakeyouralluponasinglethrow。\'Towhomdoyoubelong？\'askstheCaptain，probablyaddingtohisquestionaforcibleexpletive。\'Tosuchandsuchalandowner，\'stoutlyyoureply。\'Andwhatareyoudoinghere？\'continuestheCaptain。\'Ihavejustreceivedpermissiontogoandearnmyobrok，\'isyourfluentexplanation。\'Thenwhereisyourpassport？\'\'AtMiestchanin[2]Pimenov\'s。\'\'Pimenov\'s？ThenareyouPimenovhimself？\'\'Yes，IamPimenovhimself。\'\'Hehasgivenyouhispassport？\'\'No，hehasnotgivenmehispassport。\'\'Come，come！\'
shoutstheCaptainwithanotherforcibleexpletive。\'Youarelying！\'
\'No，Iamnot，\'isyourdoggedreply。\'ItisonlythatlastnightI
couldnotreturnhimhispassport，becauseIcamehomelate；soI
handedittoAntipProchorov，thebell-ringer，forhimtotakecareof。\'\'Bell-ringer，indeed！ThenHEgaveyouapassport？\'\'No；Ididnotreceiveapassportfromhimeither。\'\'What？\'——andheretheCaptainshoutsanotherexpletive——\'Howdareyoukeeponlying？WhereisYOUR
OWNpassport？\'\'Ihadoneallright，\'youreplycunningly，\'butmusthavedroppeditsomewhereontheroadasIcamealong。\'\'Andwhataboutthatsoldier\'scoat？\'askstheCaptainwithanimpoliteaddition。\'Whencedidyougetit？Andwhatofthepriest\'scashboxandcoppermoney？\'\'\'AboutthemIknownothing，\'youreplydoggedly。
\'NeveratanytimehaveIcommittedatheft。\'\'Thenhowisitthatthecoatwasfoundatyourplace？\'\'Idonotknow。Probablysomeoneelseputitthere。\'\'Yourascal，yourascal！\'shoutstheCaptain，shakinghishead，andclosinginuponyou。\'Puttheleg-ironsuponhim，andoffwithhimtoprison！\'\'Withpleasure，\'youreplyas，takingasnuff-boxfromyourpocket，youofferapinchtoeachofthetwogendarmeswhoaremanaclingyou，whilealsoinquiringhowlongtheyhavebeendischargedfromthearmy，andinwhatwarstheymayhaveserved。Andinprisonyouremainuntilyourcasecomeson，whenthejusticeordersyoutoberemovedfromTsarev-Kokshaikatosuchandsuchanotherprison，andasecondjusticeordersyoutobetransferredthencetoVesiegonskorsomewhereelse，andyougoflittingfromgaoltogaol，andsayingeachtime，asyoueyeyournewhabitation，\'Thelastplacewasagooddealcleanerthanthisoneis，andonecouldplaybabki[3]there，andstretchone\'slegs，andseealittlesociety。\'“
[1]ThenamesKariakinandVolokitamight，perhaps，betranslatedas“Gallant“and“Loafer。“
[2]Tradesmanorcitizen。
[3]Thegameofknucklebones。
“\'AbakumThirov，\'“Chichikovwentonafterapause。“WhatofYOU，brother？Where，andinwhatcapacity，areYOUdisportingyourself？
HaveyougonetotheVolgacountry，andbecomebittenwiththelifeoffreedom，andjoinedthefishermenoftheriver？”
Here，breakingoff，Chichikovrelapsedintosilentmeditation。Ofwhatwashethinkingashesatthere？WashethinkingofthefortunesofAbakumThirov，orwashemeditatingasmeditateseveryRussianwhenhisthoughtsonceturntothejoysofanemancipatedexistence？
“Ah，well！”hesighed，lookingathiswatch。“Ithasnowgonetwelveo\'clock。WhyhaveIsoforgottenmyself？Thereisstillmuchtobedone，yetIgoshuttingmyselfupandlettingmythoughtswander！WhatafoolIam！”
Sosaying，heexchangedhisScottishcostume(ofashirtandnothingelse)forattireofamoreEuropeannature；afterwhichhepulledtightthewaistcoatoverhisamplestomach，sprinkledhimselfwitheau-de-Cologne，tuckedhispapersunderhisarm，tookhisfurcap，andsetoutforthemunicipaloffices，forthepurposeofcompletingthetransferofsouls。Thefactthathehurriedalongwasnotduetoafearofbeinglate(seeingthatthePresidentoftheLocalCouncilwasanintimateacquaintanceofhis，aswellasafunctionarywhocouldshortenorprolonganinterviewatwill，evenasHomer\'sZeuswasabletoshortenortoprolonganightoraday，wheneveritbecamenecessarytoputanendtothefightingofhisfavouriteheroes，ortoenablethemtojoinbattle)，butrathertoafeelingthathewouldliketohavetheaffairconcludedasquicklyaspossible，seeingthat，throughout，ithadbeenananxiousanddifficultbusiness。Also，hecouldnotgetridoftheideathathissoulswereunsubstantialthings，andthattherefore，underthecircumstances，hisshouldershadbetterberelievedoftheirloadwiththeleastpossibledelay。
Pullingonhiscinnamon-coloured，bear-linedovercoatashewent，hehadjuststeppedthoughtfullyintothestreetwhenhecollidedwithagentlemandressedinasimilarcoatandanear-lappetedfurcap。Uponthatthegentlemanutteredanexclamation。Behold，itwasManilov！Atoncethefriendsbecamefoldedinastrenuousembrace，andremainedsolockedforfullyfiveminutes。Indeed，thekissesexchangedweresovigorousthatbothsufferedfromtoothacheforthegreaterportionoftheday。Also，Manilov\'sdelightwassuchthatonlyhisnoseandlipsremainedvisible——theeyescompletelydisappeared。AfterwardshespentaboutaquarterofanhourinholdingChichikov\'shandandchafingitvigorously。Lastly，he，inthemostpleasantandexquisitetermspossible，intimatedtohisfriendthathehadjustbeenonhiswaytoembracePaulIvanovitch；anduponthisfollowedacomplimentofthekindwhichwouldmorefittinglyhavebeenaddressedtoaladywhowasbeingaskedtoaccordapartnerthefavourofadance。Chichikovhadopenedhismouthtoreply——thoughevenHEfeltatalosshowtoacknowledgewhathadjustbeensaid——whenManilovcuthimshortbyproducingfromunderhiscoatarollofpapertiedwithredriband。
“Whathaveyouthere？”askedChichikov。
“Thelistofmysouls。“
“Ah！”AndasChichikovunrolledthedocumentandranhiseyeoverithecouldnotbutmarvelattheelegantneatnesswithwhichithadbeeninscribed。
“Itisabeautifulpieceofwriting，“hesaid。“Infact，therewillbenoneedtomakeacopyofit。Also，ithasaborderarounditsedge！
Whoworkedthatexquisiteborder？”
“Donotaskme，“saidManilov。
“DidYOUdoit？”
“No；mywife。“
“Dear，dear！”Chichikovcried。“TothinkthatIshouldhaveputhertosomuchtrouble！”
“NOTHINGcouldbetoomuchtroublewherePaulIvanovitchisconcerned。
Chichikovbowedhisacknowledgements。Next，onlearningthathewasonhiswaytothemunicipalofficesforthepurposeofcompletingthetransfer，Manilovexpressedhisreadinesstoaccompanyhim；whereforethepairlinkedarminarmandproceededtogether。Whenevertheyencounteredaslightriseintheground——eventhesmallestunevennessordifferenceoflevel——ManilovsupportedChichikovwithsuchenergyasalmosttolifthimoffhisfeet，whileaccompanyingtheservicewithasmilingimplicationthatnotifHEcouldhelpitshouldPaulIvanovitchsliporfall。NeverthelessthisconductappearedtoembarrassChichikov，eitherbecausehecouldnotfindanyfittingwordsofgratitudeorbecauseheconsideredtheproceedingtiresome；
anditwaswithasenseofreliefthathedeboucheduponthesquarewherethemunicipaloffices——alarge，three-storiedbuildingofachalkywhitenesswhichprobablysymbolisedthepurityofthesoulsengagedwithin——weresituated。Nootherbuildinginthesquarecouldviewiththeminsize，seeingthattheremainingedificesconsistedonlyofasentry-box，ashelterfortwoorthreecabmen，andalonghoarding——thelatteradornedwiththeusualbills，posters，andscrawlsinchalkandcharcoal。Atintervals，fromthewindowsofthesecondandthirdstoriesofthemunicipaloffices，theincorruptibleheadsofcertainoftheattendantpriestsofThemiswouldpeerquicklyforth，andasquicklydisappearagain——probablyforthereasonthatasuperiorofficialhadjustenteredtheroom。Meanwhilethetwofriendsascendedthestaircase——nay，almostflewupit，since，longingtogetridofManilov\'sever-supportingarm，Chichikovhastenedhissteps，andManilovkeptdartingforwardtoanticipateanypossiblefailureonthepartofhiscompanion\'slegs。Consequentlythepairwerebreathlesswhentheyreachedthefirstcorridor。Inpassingitmayberemarkedthatneithercorridorsnorroomsevincedanyofthatcleanlinessandpuritywhichmarkedtheexteriorofthebuilding，forsuchattributeswerenottroubledaboutwithin，andanythingthatwasdirtyremainedso，anddonnednomeritricious，purelyexternal，disguise。ItwasasthoughThemisreceivedhervisitorsinnegligeandadressing-gown。Theauthorwouldalsogiveadescriptionofthevariousofficesthroughwhichourheropassed，wereitnotthathe(theauthor)standsinaweofsuchlegalhaunts。
Approachingthefirstdeskwhichhehappenedtoencounter，Chichikovinquiredofthetwoyoungofficialswhowereseatedatitwhethertheywouldkindlytellhimwherebusinessrelatingtoserf-indenturewastransacted。
“Ofwhatnature，precisely，ISyourbusiness？”counteredoneoftheyouthfulofficialsasheturnedhimselfround。
“Idesiretomakeanapplication。“
“Inconnectionwithapurchase？”
“Yes。But，asIsay，IshouldlikefirsttoknowwhereIcanfindthedeskdevotedtosuchbusiness。Isithereorelsewhere？”
“Youmuststatewhatitisyouhavebought，andforhowmuch。THEN
weshallbehappytogiveyoutheinformation。“
Chichikovperceivedthattheofficials\'motivewasmerelyoneofcuriosity，asoftenhappenswhenyoungtchinovniksdesiretocutamoreimportantandimposingfigurethanisrightfullytheirs。
“Lookhere，youngsirs，“hesaid。“Iknowforafactthatallserfbusiness，nomattertowhatvalue，istransactedatonedeskalone。
ConsequentlyIagainrequestyoutodirectmetothatdesk。Ofcourse，ifyoudonotknowyourbusinessIcaneasilyasksomeoneelse。“
Tothisthetchinovniksmadenoreplybeyondpointingtowardsacorneroftheroomwhereanelderlymanappearedtobeengagedinsortingsomepapers。AccordinglyChichikovandManilovthreadedtheirwayinhisdirectionthroughthedesks；whereupontheelderlymanbecameviolentlybusy。
“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“saidChichikov，bowing，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”
Theelderlymanraisedhiseyes，andsaidstiffly：
“ThisisNOTthedeskforserfaffairs。“
“Whereisit，then？”
“IntheSerfDepartment。“
“AndwheremighttheSerfDepartmentbe？”
“InchargeofIvanAntonovitch。“
“AndwhereisIvanAntonovitch？”
Theelderlymanpointedtoanothercorneroftheroom；whitherChichikovandManilovnextdirectedtheirsteps。Astheyadvanced，IvanAntonovitchcastaneyebackwardsandviewedthemaskance。Then，withrenewedardour，heresumedhisworkofwriting。
“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“saidChichikov，bowing，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”
ItappearedasthoughIvanAntonovitchhadnotheard，socompletelydidheburyhimselfinhispapersandreturnnoreply。InstantlyitbecameplainthatHEatleastwasofanageofdiscretion，andnotoneofyourjejunechatterboxesandharum-scarums；for，althoughhishairwasstillthickandblack，hehadlongagopassedhisfortiethyear。Hiswholefacetendedtowardsthenose——itwaswhat，incommonparlance，isknownasa“pitcher-mug。“
“Wouldyoumindtellingme，“repeatedChichikov，“whetherthisisthedeskforserfaffairs？”
“Itisthat，“saidIvanAntonovitch，againloweringhisjug-shapedjowl，andresuminghiswriting。
“ThenIshouldliketotransactthefollowingbusiness。FromvariouslandownersinthiscantonIhavepurchasedanumberofpeasantsfortransfer。Hereisthepurchaselist，anditneedsbuttoberegistered。“
“Haveyoualsothevendorshere？”
“Someofthem，andfromtherestIhaveobtainedpowersofattorney。“
“Andhaveyouyourstatementofapplication？”
“Yes。Idesire——indeed，itisnecessaryformesotodo——tohastenmattersalittle。Couldtheaffair，therefore，becarriedthroughto-day？”
“To-day？Oh，dearno！”saidIvanAntonovitch。“Beforethatcanbedoneyoumustfurnishmewithfurtherproofsthatnoimpedimentsexist。“
“Then，toexpeditematters，letmesaythatIvanGrigorievitch，thePresidentoftheCouncil，isaveryintimatefriendofmine。“
“Possibly，“saidIvanAntonovitchwithoutenthusiasm。“ButIvanGrigorievitchalonewillnotdo——itiscustomarytohaveothersaswell。“
“Yes，buttheabsenceofotherswillnotaltogetherinvalidatethetransaction。Itoohavebeenintheservice，andknowhowthingscanbedone。“
“YouhadbettergoandseeIvanGrigorievitch，“saidIvanAntonovitchmoremildly。“Shouldhegiveyouanorderaddressedtowhomitmayconcern，weshallsoonbeabletosettlethematter。“
UponthatChichikovpulledfromhispocketapaper，andlaiditbeforeIvanAntonovitch。Atoncethelattercovereditwithabook。Chichikovagainattemptedtoshowittohim，but，withamovementofhishead，IvanAntonovitchsignifiedthatthatwasunnecessary。
“Aclerk，“headded，“willnowconductyoutoIvanGrigorievitch\'sroom。“
UponthatoneofthetoilersintheserviceofThemis——azealotwhohadofferedhersuchheartfeltsacrificethathiscoathadburstattheelbowsandlackedalining——escortedourfriends(evenasVirgilhadonceescortedDante)totheapartmentofthePresence。Inthissanctumweresomemassivearmchairs，atableladenwithtwoorthreefatbooks，andalargelooking-glass。Lastly，in(apparently)sunlikeisolation，therewasseatedatthetablethePresident。Onarrivingatthedooroftheapartment，ourmodernVirgilseemedtohavebecomesooverwhelmedwithawethat，withoutdaringeventointrudeafoot，heturnedback，and，insodoing，oncemoreexhibitedabackasshinyasamat，andhavingadheringtoit，inonespot，achicken\'sfeather。AssoonasthetwofriendshadenteredthehallofthePresencetheyperceivedthatthePresidentwasNOTalone，but，onthecontrary，hadseatedbyhissideSobakevitch，whoseformhadhithertobeenconcealedbytheinterveningmirror。Thenewcomers\'entryevokedsundryexclamationsandthepushingbackofapairofGovernmentchairsasthevoluminous-sleevedSobakevitchroseintoviewfrombehindthelooking-glass。ChichikovthePresidentreceivedwithanembrace，andforawhilethehallofthePresenceresoundedwithosculatorysalutationsasmutuallythepairinquiredafteroneanother\'shealth。Itseemedthatbothhadlatelyhadatouchofthatpainunderthewaistbandwhichcomesofasedentarylife。Also，itseemedthatthePresidenthadjustbeenconversingwithSobakevitchonthesubjectofsalesofsouls，sincehenowproceededtocongratulateChichikovonthesame——aproceedingwhichratherembarrassedourhero，seeingthatManilovandSobakevitch，twoofthevendors，andpersonswithwhomhehadbargainedinthestrictestprivacy，werenowconfrontingoneanotherdirect。However，ChichikovdulythankedthePresident，andthen，turningtoSobakevitch，inquiredafterHIShealth。
“ThankGod，Ihavenothingtocomplainof，“repliedSobakevitch：whichwastrueenough，seeingthatapieceofironwouldhavecaughtcoldandtakentosneezingsoonerthanwouldthatuncouthlyfashionedlandowner。
“Ah，yes；youhavealwayshadgoodhealth，haveyounot？”putinthePresident。“Yourlatefatherwasequallystrong。“
“Yes，heevenwentoutbearhuntingalone，“repliedSobakevitch。
“Ishouldthinkthatyoutoocouldworstabearifyouweretotryatusslewithhim，“rejoinedthePresident。
“Ohno，“saidSobakevitch。“MyfatherwasastrongermanthanIam。“
Thenwithasighthespeakeradded：“Butnowadaystherearenosuchmenashe。Whatisevenalifelikemineworth？”
“Thenyoudonothaveacomfortabletimeofit？”exclaimedthePresident。
“No；farfromit，“rejoinedSobakevitch，shakinghishead。“Judgeforyourself，IvanGrigorievitch。Iamfiftyyearsold，yetneverinmylifehadbeenill，exceptforanoccasionalcarbuncleorboil。Thatisnotagoodsign。SoonerorlaterIshallhavetopayforit。“Andherelapsedintomelancholy。
“Justlistentothefellow！”wasChichikov\'sandthePresident\'sjointinwardcomment。“WhatonearthhasHEtocomplainof？”
“Ihavealetterforyou，IvanGrigorievitch，“wentonChichikovaloudasheproducedfromhispocketPlushkin\'sepistle。
“Fromwhom？”inquiredthePresident。Havingbrokentheseal，heexclaimed：“Why，itisfromPlushkin！TothinkthatHEisstillalive！Whatastrangeworlditis！Heusedtobesuchanicefellow，andnow——“
“Andnowheisacur，“concludedSobakevitch，“aswellasamiserwhostarveshisserfstodeath。“
“Allowmeamoment，“saidthePresident。Thenhereadtheletterthrough。Whenhehadfinishedheadded：“Yes，IamquitereadytoactasPlushkin\'sattorney。Whendoyouwishthepurchasedeedstoberegistered，MonsieurChichikov——noworlater？”
“Now，ifyouplease，“repliedChichikov。“Indeed，Ibegthat，ifpossible，theaffairmaybeconcludedto-day，sinceto-morrowIwishtoleavethetown。Ihavebroughtwithmeboththeformsofindentureandmystatementofapplication。“
“Verywell。Neverthelesswecannotletyoudepartsosoon。Theindenturesshallbecompletedto-day，butyoumustcontinueyoursojourninourmidst。Iwillissuethenecessaryordersatonce。“
Sosaying，heopenedthedoorintothegeneraloffice，wheretheclerkslookedlikeaswarmofbeesaroundahoneycomb(ifImaylikenaffairsofGovernmenttosuchanarticle？)。
“IsIvanAntonovitchhere？”askedthePresident。
“Yes，“repliedavoicefromwithin。
“Thensendhimhere。“
Uponthatthepitcher-facedIvanAntonovitchmadehisappearanceinthedoorway，andbowed。
“Taketheseindentures，IvanAntonovitch，“saidthePresident，“andseethatthey——“
“ButfirstIwouldaskyoutoremember，“putinSobakevitch，“thatwitnessesoughttobeinattendance——notlessthantwoonbehalfofeitherparty。Letus，therefore，sendforthePublicProsecutor，whohaslittletodo，andhaseventhatlittledoneforhimbyhischiefclerk，Zolotucha。TheInspectoroftheMedicalDepartmentisalsoamanofleisure，andlikelytobeathome——ifhehasnotgoneouttoacardparty。Othersalsothereare——allmenwhocumberthegroundfornothing。“
“Quiteso，quiteso，“agreedthePresident，andatoncedispatchedaclerktofetchthepersonsnamed。
“Also，“requestedChichikov，“IshouldbegladifyouwouldsendfortheaccreditedrepresentativeofacertainladylandownerwithwhomI
havedonebusiness。HeisthesonofaFatherCyril，andaclerkinyouroffices。“
“Certainlyweshallcallhimhere，“repliedthePresident。“Everythingshallbedonetomeetyourconvenience，andIforbidyoutopresentanyofourofficialswithagratuity。Thatisaspecialrequestonmypart。Nofriendofmineeverpaysacopper。“
WiththathegaveIvanAntonovitchthenecessaryinstructions；andthoughtheyscarcelyseemedtomeetwiththatfunctionary\'sapproval，uponthePresidentthepurchasedeedshadevidentlyproducedanexcellentimpression，moreespeciallysincethemomentwhenhehadperceivedthesumtotaltoamounttonearlyahundredthousandroubles。ForamomentortwohegazedintoChichikov\'seyeswithanexpressionofprofoundsatisfaction。Thenhesaid：
“Welldone，PaulIvanovitch！Youhaveindeedmadeanicehaul！”
“Thatisso，“repliedChichikov。
“Excellentbusiness！Yes，excellentbusiness！”
“I，too，conceivethatIcouldnotwellhavedonebetter。Thetruthisthatneveruntilamanhasdrivenhomethepilesofhislife\'sstructureuponalastingbottom，insteadofuponthewaywardchimerasofyouth，willhisaimsinlifeassumeadefiniteend。“And，thatsaid，ChichikovwentontodeliverhimselfofaverytellingindictmentofLiberalismandourmodernyoungmen。Yetinhiswordsthereseemedtolurkacertainlackofconviction。Somehowheseemedsecretlytobesayingtohimself，“Mygoodsir，youaretalkingthemostabsoluterubbish，andnothingbutrubbish。“NordidheeventhrowaglanceatSobakevitchandManilov。Itwasasthoughhewereuncertainwhathemightnotencounterintheirexpression。Yetheneednothavebeenafraid。NeveroncedidSobakevitch\'sfacemoveamuscle，and，asforManilov，hewastoomuchunderthespellofChichikov\'seloquencetodoaughtbeyondnodhisapprovalatintervals，andstrikethekindofattitudewhichisassumedbyloversofmusicwhenaladysingerhas，inrivalryofanaccompanyingviolin，producedanotewhereoftheshrillnesswouldexceedeventhecapacityofabird\'sthrostle。
“ButwhynottellIvanGrigorievitchpreciselywhatyouhavebought？”
inquiredSobakevitchofChichikov。“Andwhy，IvanGrigorievitch，doYOUnotaskMonsieurChichikovpreciselywhathispurchaseshaveconsistedof？Whatasplendidlotofserfs，tobesure！Imyselfhavesoldhimmywheelwright，Michiev。“
“What？YouhavesoldhimMichiev？”exclaimedthePresident。“Iknowthemanwell。Heisasplendidcraftsman，and，ononeoccasion，mademeadrozhki[4]。Only，only——well，latelydidn\'tyoutellmethatheisdead？”
[4]Asortoflow，four-wheeledcarriage。
“ThatMichievisdead？”re-echoedSobakevitch，comingperilouslyneartolaughing。“Ohdearno！Thatwashisbrother。Michievhimselfisverymuchalive，andinevenbetterhealththanheusedtobe。AnydayhecouldknockyouupabritchkasuchasyoucouldnotprocureeveninMoscow。However，heisnowboundtoworkforonlyonemaster。“
“Indeedasplendidcraftsman！”repeatedthePresident。“Myonlywonderisthatyoucanhavebroughtyourselftopartwithhim。“
“ThenthinkyouthatMichievistheONLYserfwithwhomIhaveparted？Nay，forIhavepartedalsowithProbkaStepan，mycarpenter，withMilushkin，mybricklayer，andwithTeliatnikov，mybootmaker。
Yes，thewholelotIhavesold。“
AndtothePresident\'sinquirywhyhehadsoacted，seeingthattheserfsnamedwereallskilledworkersandindispensabletoahousehold，Sobakevitchrepliedthatamerewhimhadledhimtodoso，andthusthesalehadoweditsorigintoapieceoffolly。Thenhehunghisheadasthoughalreadyrepentingofhisrashact，andadded：
“Althoughamanofgreyhairs，Ihavenotyetlearnedwisdom。“
“But，“inquiredthePresidentfurther，“howcomesitabout，PaulIvanovitch，thatyouhavepurchasedpeasantsapartfromland？Isitfortransfermentelsewherethatyouneedthem？”
“Yes。“
“Verywell，then。Thatisquiteanothermatter。Towhatprovinceofthecountry？”
“TotheprovinceofKherson。“
“Indeed？Thatregioncontainssomesplendidland，“saidthePresident；
whereuponheproceededtoexpatiateonthefertilityoftheKhersonpastures。
“AndhaveyouMUCHlandthere？”hecontinued。
“Yes；quitesufficienttoaccommodatetheserfswhomIhavepurchased。“
“Andisthereariverontheestateoralake？”
“Both。“
