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Chapter 8 Doctors in the County (1)
One autumn, when I came back from hunting in the fields far from the manor, I caught a cold on the way.Fortunately, when I had a fever, I had already arrived in a county town and checked into a hotel, so I sent someone to call for a doctor.Half an hour later, the doctor from the county came. This man was not tall, thin and had black hair.He prescribed me an ordinary antiperspirant, put on a mustard paste, and quickly slipped a 5-ruble note into my cuff - and at the same time coughed dryly, looked beside me and was about to go home, when suddenly for no reason Talked to me and didn't leave.Because I have a fever, I know I won't be able to sleep tonight, and I want to have a kind person talk to me.Tea is brought.My doctor started talking.The man was not stupid, and he was fluent and funny.Things in the world are often strange: people who are together every day have never spoken the truth from the bottom of their hearts; but some people, just met, hit it off right away, telling all the secrets to each other like confession.I don't know how I gained the trust of my new friend, but he told me a very special thing without any defense, that is to say, "don't care about 21".I will now relate his story to my well-meaning readers.I tried to keep the doctor's original wording.

"Do you know," he began in a small trembling voice (that's exactly what Beresov's snuff does), "that you've heard of the judge here, Pavel Lukich Mulov? . . . no Know...well, it's nothing. (He clears his throat and rubs his eyes.) I tell you, this happened during--let me see, oh--Lent, just when the thaw occurred. I was in our At the judge's house--playing Parker Ferrance. He's a good man, and likes to play Parker Ferrance. Suddenly (my doctor used to use the word 'suddenly') they said to me: 'Someone is looking for you.' I said, 'What's the matter?' They said, 'A note--maybe it's from the patient.' I said, 'Give me the note.' It was from the patient... Well, it's okay —This, you know, is our food... Here it is: It was written to me by a widow landowner; she wrote: 'My daughter is dying, please forgive me I’m going to see you, I’ll send a carriage to pick you up now.” Well, there’s nothing wrong with that... But she lives 20 versts away from the city, it’s already late, and the road is very difficult! Besides, her family’s situation is not good, so there’s no need I hope there will be more than two silver rubles, and even that is hard to say, maybe just some burlap or some grain. But, you know, service comes first, and people are dying. I'll take the cards Hand it over to Calliobin, the permanent member, and go home. I saw a small carriage parked in front of the steps. The horse was a farmer's pot-bellied horse, which was really pot-bellied. The horse hair was like felt. Thinking: It seems, man, your master may not be a man of gold and jade... You are laughing, but I tell you: we poor people have to think carefully about everything... If the coachman sits proudly and does not pick up Take off your hat, and sneer, and shake your horsewhip, then surely you'll get two bills! But I see that's not the case today. But, I think, there's no way, service first. I took the most necessary Medicines, just off. Believe it or not, I can hardly get there. The road is extremely difficult: there are streams, snow, mud, puddles, and suddenly the dikes are breached—bad luck! But I made it at last The house is small and covered with straw. There is a light in the window, which should be waiting for me. A dignified old lady in a cap greeted me politely and said: "Please help me, I am very ill." I Said: "Please don't worry...where is the patient?" The girl, about 20 years old, was unconscious. She had a high temperature and was having difficulty breathing—like a fever. There were also her two sisters in the room, both terrified and tear-stained. They said: 'Yesterday I was healthy and my appetite was good; this morning I complained of a headache, but in the evening it suddenly became like this...' I still say: 'Please don't worry.'—You know, this is A doctor's job—and I started to heal. I bled her a little, got them to put mustard plaster on her, and prescribed a potion. And all the while I was watching her, watching her, you know— — Cough, to be honest, I have never seen such a beautiful face... Generally speaking, she is a stunning beauty!My heart is full of pity.Her face is so lovely, her eyes... oh, thank God, she's quieter, she's sweating, she seems to be waking up; she looks around, smiles, touches her face... Her sisters bend Go see her and ask her: 'How are you feeling? ''much better. ' After she finished speaking, she turned her face away... I saw that she was asleep and said, well, now let the patient be quiet.So we all went out quietly and let a girl wait here at any time.There was already a samovar on the table in the drawing room, and the Jamaica Island rum, which is essential in our trade.They brought me tea and asked me to spend the night here... and I did.Where else can I go now!The old lady always sighs.I said: 'You don't have to?It will be fine, please don't worry, let's take a rest, it's already past one o'clock. ''Once something happens, please ask someone to wake me up. ''Okay, okay. ’ The old lady went away, and the two girls went back to their rooms.A bed has been prepared for me in the living room.Although I lay in bed, I could not fall asleep--what a novelty!Seems to be very tired.I never forgot my patients.I finally couldn't help it, and sat up suddenly, I wanted to see how she was doing?Her bedroom is next door to the living room.So, I got up and opened the door gently, but my heart was beating very fast.I saw that the girl had fallen asleep with her mouth open, and this guy was still snoring!The sick man was lying with his face turned to me, with his arms outstretched, what a pity!I walked in...she suddenly opened her eyes and stared at me! ……'who is it?who is it? 'I'm embarrassed to get up. 'Take it easy,' I said, 'Miss, I'm a doctor.I'll take a look at your situation. ''Are you a doctor? ''Yes, I am a doctor...your mother sent for me from the city.We've bled you, miss.Now please rest in peace for a few days, God bless, you will be cured. ''Oh, yes, yes, Doctor, don't let me die... Please, please. ''What's the matter with you, God bless you! 'I think she's having a fever again.I pressed her pulse, and she was really hot.She looked at me for a while, then suddenly grabbed my hand. 'I tell you why I don't want to die, I tell you, I tell you all...it's just the two of us, but please don't tell anyone...you listen to me...'I bent down and her lips close to my ear, and her hair touched my face - to be honest, my hair was faint then - and she started talking in a low voice... I couldn't understand a bit of it... Ah, she was Talk in your sleep... She kept talking, very fast, and probably not in Russian, and when she had finished she shuddered, threw her head on the pillow, and raised a finger to warn me. 'Remember, doctor, don't tell anyone...' I finally calmed her down, gave her some water, woke the girl up, and went out. "

When the doctor said this, he sniffed the snuff vigorously for a while, and stayed there for a while.

"However," he went on, "on the second day, contrary to my expectations, the patient did not improve. After much deliberation, I suddenly decided to stay here, although there were other patients . . . I can't be neglected, it's not good for my business. But, first, the patient is indeed on the verge of despair; second, to be honest, I have a good impression of her. Moreover, I like their family. Although they They were not rich, but their education was rare... Their father was a learned writer. Of course he died in poverty, but his children received a good education and left I downloaded a lot of books. Maybe it’s because of my enthusiasm for taking care of the patients, or maybe there are other reasons, anyway, I can guarantee that they all love me like relatives... At this time, the roads are very difficult, and all traffic can be said to be thorough. It's cut off, and it's hard to get medicine in the city. The patient doesn't improve... Day after day goes by... But... at this time... (The doctor is silent for a while.) I really don't know how to tell you... (He sniffs snuff again, clucking his throat, and takes a sip of his tea.) Let me tell you straight, my patient . It’s just that, really, what, this..." (The doctor lowered his head and blushed.) "No," he continued excitedly, "how can you say that you are in love with me! You should know your worth. She is a well-bred, intelligent and learned woman, but I have completely forgotten my Latin. As for my appearance (the doctor looked at himself with a smile), it seems that there is nothing worth it. Pride. But I understand, I don’t call white black, I always know a little. For example, I know very well that Alexandra Andreevna—her name is Alexandra Andreyevna—not in love with me, but in a kind of friendship and respect. Although she herself may be mistaken in this respect, but what was her position at that time, Please judge...perhaps," added the doctor, after uttering these broken words in one breath with obvious panic, "perhaps I have spoken a little out of order... Then you will not understand at all. ...then let me tell you everything in order."

(End of this chapter)