Мертвые души
Chapter 7
MeanwhilePetrushkahadtakenhismaster’scoatandtrousersofbilberry-colouredcheckintothecorridor;where,spreadingthemoveraclothes’horse,hestartedtoflickandtobrushthem,andtofillthewholecorridorwithdust.Justashewasabouttoreplacetheminhismaster’sroomhehappenedtoglanceovertherailingofthegallery,andsawSelifanreturningfromthestable.Glanceswereexchanged,andinaninstantthepairhadarrivedataninstinctiveunderstanding—anunderstandingtotheeffectthatthebarinwassoundasleep,andthatthereforeonemightconsiderone’sownpleasurealittle.AccordinglyPetrushkaproceededtorestorethecoatandtrouserstotheirappointedplaces,andthendescendedthestairs;whereafterheandSelifanleftthehousetogether.Notawordpassedbetweenthemastotheobjectoftheirexpedition.Onthecontrary,theytalkedsolelyofextraneoussubjects.Yettheirwalkdidnottakethemfar;ittookthemonlytotheothersideofthestreet,andthenceintoanestablishmentwhichimmediatelyconfrontedtheinn.Enteringamean,dirtycourtyardcoveredwithglass,theypassedthenceintoacellarwhereanumberofcustomerswereseatedaroundsmallwoodentables.WhatthereafterwasdonebySelifanandPetrushkaGodaloneknows.Atallevents,withinanhour’stimetheyissued,arminarm,andinprofoundsilence,yetremainingmarkedlyassiduoustooneanother,andeverreadytohelponeanotheraroundanawkwardcorner
