dead souls, imperial envoy

Chapter 36 Dead Souls (36)
A revolution was started in Tentetnikov's house.Half the rooms in his house were dark, with the shutters boarded up, and now they were open to let in light.Luggage was unloaded from the wagon.I began to place them in these bright rooms, and soon the rooms changed their appearance: one room was designated as a bedroom, and various utensils needed for nightly washing were placed; the other room was used as a study...but You must first know that there are three tables in this room: one is a desk - placed in front of the sofa, the other is a card table placed against the wall between the two windows, and the third is a corner table - — in a corner, between two doors; one of which leads to a bedroom, the other to an uninhabited hall, where a shabby set of furniture is placed.Out of the trunk were a pair of trousers with a tuxedo, a pair of trousers with a frock coat, a pair of gray trousers, two velvet waistcoats, two satin waistcoats, a frock coat, and two frock coats all in the corner. On the table (summer white piqué waistcoat and trousers in the chest of drawers).All these clothes were neatly put together like a little pagoda, covered with a silk handkerchief.In another corner between the door and the window were neatly arranged several pairs of leather boots: a new pair, a half-new pair, a pair that had just had their leather covers replaced, and a pair of shiny patent leather boots.There was a silk handkerchief on these boots, too—it looked as if it wasn't there at all.On the card table between the two windows stood a small mahogany box.On the desk in front of the sofa lay a briefcase, a bottle of perfume, a piece of sealing wax, some toothbrushes, a new desk calendar, and two novels—both volumes two.The clean underwear was kept in the chest of drawers, which was already in the bedroom; the underwear to be washed was packed in a bag and stuffed under the bed.After the white leather case was taken out, it was also thrown under the bed.The saber hung from a nail not far from the bed.Both rooms looked neat and tidy.You won't see a scrap of paper, a feather, or a thorn anywhere.Even the air seems to have improved: the room is filled with a pleasant smell, which can only be found in healthy and clean men. The visitor is such a person. His underwear is changed before it is dirty, and often Take a shower, and on Sundays, wipe yourself with a damp sponge.The smell that followed Petrushka was about to linger in the hall-room, but soon Petrushka himself was routinely sent to the kitchen.

In the first few days, Tentetnikov was worried about his freedom, fearing that others would destroy him, fearing that the guests would bind him and make him change his way of life, so as to damage his very suitable work and rest system; worry is unnecessary.Our Chichikov showed a great flexibility and willingness to adapt to any situation.He admired the master's philosopher-like calmness, saying that this calmness foretells the master's long life.Said that it is good to live in solitude, he said that living in solitude can allow a person to breed great ideas.He glanced at his master's library and lavished praise on such things as books, which save one from emptiness.In short, although there are not many words, they are very important.He behaves with a great deal of decency.He always appeared at the right time and left at the right time; when his master didn't want to talk, he never forced him; he happily played chess with him and chatted happily with him.When the master took up his pipe and sprayed clouds of smoke, he did not smoke, but he also found a corresponding thing: for example, he took out a black and silver snuff box from his pocket, held it between two fingers of his left hand, and squeezed it with a The trembling fingers of the right hand make it whirl around like the earth on its axis, or tap the snuff-box lightly with the fingers, and whistle some nameless tune.In a word, the master will never feel that he is in any way.Tentetnikov said to himself: "For the first time I have seen a man who can live together. Generally speaking, we are so lacking in this art. There are many wise, educated, good people among us, But the man who is always agreeable, who can never quarrel, who can live together all his life without quarreling,—I don't know if there are many of that kind! This is the first I've seen, The only one!" This was Tentetnikov's evaluation of the guest.

Chichikov, too, was very happy to stay for a while in such a peaceful and quiet master's house.Now he is tired of wandering life.Enjoying the early spring scenery of the fields in this beautiful country, a little rest, even for a month, will even be good for hemorrhoids.This is the best place to rest.Spring decorates this corner beautifully.What a bright green!What a breath of fresh air!How many birds are singing in the garden!It is simply a paradise on earth, full of joy and excitement everywhere!The whole village is cheering and singing, like a birthday girl.

Chichikov grew fond of loitering.Sometimes he took a walk to the top of a flat mountain, and from there he could overlook the plain below the mountain, where after the spring flood, there was still a large area of ​​ponded water like a lake.Sometimes he went for a walk in the valley, where the trees were just sprouting and the tops of the trees were filled with nests; The sky blocks out the sun.He would also go to the floodplains and dams below the mountain to see how the river water hits the wheels of the water mill with a bang.He also went further to the wharves, where the first ships with peas, barley, and wheat were leaving the port, down the current.He will also go to the field to watch the spring plowing that has just begun, to see the newly turned fertile soil spread black and oily on the green field, or to see how the sowing farmer spreads the seeds evenly and accurately with his hands, without letting a single grain fall. Seeds fall aside.He talked pleasantly with the steward, with the farmers, and with the mill workers.He would not let go of asking about anything, such as how the harvest will be this year, how the land will be plowed, what price the grain sells, what grain to grind in spring and autumn, and what is the name of each farmer Names, who was related to whom, who bought a cow there, who fed what to the pigs—in short, everything.He also asked how many farmers had died.It turned out that not many died.He was a very clever man, and he knew at a glance that Tentetnikov's estate was managed in an unenviable way.Looseness, sloppiness, theft, and a lot of drinking are everywhere to be seen.He thought to himself: "Tentetnikov is such a beast! Such a promising estate has been ruined! It should have received at least fifty thousand rubles a year!" He couldn't restrain his anger. Will repeat: "What a beast!"

While wandering around, he had the idea more than once that one day, that is, not now, of course, but when he was famous and wealthy, he would also buy such a manor to live leisurely.Naturally, at this time, a young, delicate and tender woman would often appear in front of his eyes.She may be from the merchant class, that's okay, but if she is as educated as a noble lady, she should know some music. Of course, music is not important, but since everyone says so, why are you opposing this? What about trends?He will also see the young generation who will perpetuate the Chichikov name: a beautiful daughter and a naughty boy, or even two boys, or two or three girls, so that people will know He, Chichikov, had indeed existed and lived in this world, instead of wandering through the world like a shadow or a ghost without a sound, in order to have a clear conscience in front of the motherland.At this time, he even began to feel that it would be good if the official rank was raised a little bit: for example, the fifth-rank official is a glorious and respected official title... There are many fantasies in his head, and these dreams can often make people escape from the boring situation in front of them. Reality, fantasies, can't help themselves, even if the imaginer himself is sure that these fantasies will never come true, but his heart will be satisfied!

Chichikov's two servants also fell in love with the village.Like him, they are used to living here.Petrushka soon made friends with Grigory, the servant who served Tentetnikov, although at first they both put on airs and put on an air of arrogance.Petrushka boasted that he had been to Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novosibirsk, and even Moscow to disparage Grigory; Grigory immediately used Petersburg to disparage Petrushka.Petrushka had never been to Petersburg, so he wanted to beat Grigory with the far places he had been to, but Grigory said the place he had been to, the name of the place could not be found on the map, and it was far away from here. Thirty thousand versts at least. Petrushka froze when he heard that, dumbfounded, and was immediately laughed at by all the servants.However, the incident ended up making them the best of friends.Uncle Pimen, the bald man, opened a well-known tavern on the edge of the village with the signboard "Akulika".They often appear together in this tavern.They became guests there, or frequent visitors in folklore.

Xie Lifan has other interests.Every night, young men and women in the village will gather together to sing songs and dance spring ring dances.The strong, pretty girl--such girls are hard to find anywhere else these days--had him staring at him for hours.It's hard to say which one is more beautiful: all of them have white breasts, white necks, affectionate eyebrows, peacock-like beauty, and the big braids that grow to the waist are even more unique.Holding the girl's tender hands in both hands, he moved slowly with the girls in the circle dance, or lined up with the boys and jumped towards the girls. The bright red sunset gradually faded, and the surroundings slowly darkened. , the long song lingered on both sides of the river, and the lingering sound curled up.At this time, he was really confused.Afterwards, whether in a dream or waking up, no matter in the morning or evening, he always felt that he was holding a pair of white and tender hands and dancing with the beautiful girls.Then he would wave his hand and say, "Damn girls!"

Chichikov's three horses also fell in love with the new place.No matter whether it was a bay horse, a pale sorrel horse that was used by the tax collector, or a piebald horse called a "bad horse" by Selifan, they were not alone in Tentetnikov's estate. First-class oats, and the stables are also very comfortable: each horse has its own stall, which is separated from each other, but the other horses can be seen from above the partition-so no matter which horse, even if It is the horse tied to the single stall on the far side. If it wants to hiss twice when it is happy, other horses can respond immediately.

In a word, whether it is a human or a horse, everyone now has a happy feeling of going home.The reader may be surprised that Chichikov has so far said nothing about the question of the serfs.Of course I won't mention it!Chichikov had become extremely cautious on this question.Even when dealing with a complete fool, he was reserved and tactful.Besides, Tentetnikov, in any case, was always reading, studying philosophy, trying to understand for himself the various causes of all problems... "No, what the hell! Maybe the idea is to start from another direction?" Chichikov thought so.He chatted with his servants whenever he had the chance, and finally overheard the servants saying that the master used to go to the neighboring general’s house. There was a lady in the general’s house. She blushed and never had any contact with her again.Chichikov himself noticed that Tentetnikov always drew women's heads, which were all alike.One day after lunch, Chichikov routinely turned the black and silver snuffbox around its axis with his fingers.He said as he turned the snuffbox: "Andrei Ivanovitch, don't you feel that you are short of something?"

"What's missing?" asked Tentetnikov, puffing on his cigarette.

"Life companion," said Chichikov.Tentetnikov was silent.That's the end of this conversation.Chichikov was not embarrassed.He found another opportunity, this time before supper, when, amidst all the chatter, he said suddenly: "Really, Andrey Ivanovich, you should think about your marriage too."

Tentetnikov said nothing about it, as if the subject displeased him.Chichikov was not discouraged, nor was he embarrassed.He took another chance a third time, this time after dinner, and said: "No matter how you look at your situation, I think you should get married, or you will be sick."

I don't know whether it was because Chichikov's words were particularly persuasive this time, or because Tentetnikov wanted to express his heart for some reason today. In short, Tentetnikov raised his head and vomited He took a puff of cigarette, sighed briefly, and said: "These things need fate, Pavel Ivanovich." Then he explained in detail the process of how he got acquainted with the general and why he broke up.Chichikov listened to the details of the incident verbatim, and he couldn't help being surprised to hear that this happened because of the word "you".For several minutes he looked Tentetnikov in the eyes, and at last he came to the conclusion: "What a fool he is!"

"Andrei Ivanovitch! Come on!" he said, taking Tentetnikov's hands. "What insult can the word 'you' have?"

"There is nothing insulting in the word itself," said Tentetnikov. "The main problem is not the word, but the tone in which it is said. The word 'you'— The implication is: 'Remember, you are a white man, I only received you because there was no more decent person before; now Princess Yujakina is here, you should be more sensible and stand outside the door for me'. That's what it means !"

When the peaceful and quiet Tentetnikov spoke these words, his eyes lit up, and an insulted anger came out of his tone. "If that's what it means, what is it?" said Chichikov.

"Why!" said Tentetnikov, looking Chichikov in the eye, "do you want me to go to his house after being insulted like this?"

"But what kind of insult is that? It's nonsense," said Chichikov.

"What a strange Chichikov!" Tentetnikov thought to himself.

"This Tentetnikov is quite strange!" Chichikov thought to himself.

"It's not insulting, Andrei Ivanovitch. It's the general's custom: they call everybody 'you'. And why shouldn't a man of good character be allowed to do that? . . . "

"If he had been a poor old man, not arrogant, not airy, not a general, things would have been different," said Tentetnikov, "then I would have allowed him to call me 'you', and even I will respectfully accept it."

"What a fool he is!" thought Chichikov, "to allow a poor old man to do that, but not a general!" Having thought this, he retorted loudly: "Well, It's like he insulted you, but you didn't buy it: everyone is a little slow. But just because of such a thing, I will break up forever, please forgive me, what is this? How can I let go of the career I just started? Now that I have chosen If you want to achieve your goal, you should work hard. Don't care about others' underestimation! People always underestimate others; you will not find a person who does not underestimate others in the whole world."

Gentnikov didn't know how to respond to these words. He looked into Chichikov's eyes in surprise and thought, "He's too outrageous!"

"This Tentetnikov is really strange!" thought Chichikov. "Please allow me to try to mediate." He said aloud, "I can go to the general and tell him the cause of the matter, saying that it is caused by misunderstanding, youth, and ignorance of the world from your point of view. of."

"I will not bow to him," Tentetnikov said emphatically.

"God help us, don't make us humble!" said Chichikov, crossing himself. "I am trying to persuade you as a sensible intermediary, but humble... Andrey Ivanovitch , my words are all out of good intentions and loyalty, I didn't even expect my words to be understood by you so painfully."

"Forgive me, Pavel Ivanovich, I'm so touched!" Tentetnikov, who was deeply moved, seized his hands excitedly and said, "I swear, I am deeply moved by your kindness and concern." Mind! But let us drop the subject. We shall never speak of it again."

"Then I want to go to the general for a walk."

"To what?" asked Tentetnikov, looking him in the eyes suspiciously.

"Show respect," said Chichikov.

"What a strange Chichikov!" thought Tentetnikov. "How strange this Tentetnikov is!" thought Chichikov.

"Because my car is not yet ready, I beg you to allow me to use your car. I would like to call on him at ten o'clock tomorrow."

"Where is it, why do you need to ask? You are also the master here, the carriage is up to you, and everything is at your disposal."

(End of this chapter)