Мертвые души
Chapter 6
Justsuchaphenomenonmaybewitnessedwhen,forabriefmoment,adrowningmanmakesalastre-appearanceonthesurfaceofariver,andthererisesfromthecrowdliningthebanksacryofhopethatevenyettheexhaustedhandsmayclutchtheropewhichhasbeenthrownhim—mayclutchitbeforethesurfaceoftheunstableelementshallhaveresumedforeveritscalm,dreadvacuity.Butthehopeisshort-lived,andthehandsdisappear.EvensodidPlushkin’sface,afteritsmomentarymanifestationoffeeling,becomemeanerandmoreinsensiblethanever.
“Thereusedtobeasheetofcleanwritingpaperlyingonthetable,”hewenton.“ButwhereitisnowIcannotthink.Thatcomesofmyservantsbeingsuchrascals.”
Withthathefelltolookingalsounderthetable,aswellastohurryingaboutwithcriesof“Mavra,Mavra!”Atlengththecallwasansweredbyawomanwithaplatefulofthesugarofwhichmentionhasbeenmade;whereuponthereensuedthefollowingconversation.
“Whathaveyoudonewithmypieceofwritingpaper,youpilferer?”
“IswearthatIhaveseennopaperexceptthebitwithwhichyoucoveredtheglass.”
“Yourveryfacetellsmethatyouhavemadeoffwithit.”
“WhyshouldImakeoffwithit?‘Twouldbeofnousetome,forIcanneitherreadnorwrite.”
“Youlie!Youhavetakenitawayforthesextontoscribbleupon.”
“Well,ifthesextonwantedpaperhecouldgetsomeforhimself.NeitherhenorIhaveseteyesuponyourpiece.”
“Ah!Waitabit,forontheJudgmentDayyouwillberoastedbydevilsonironspits.
