Chapter 7

           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.