Chapter 11

           NeverthelesseventsdidnotturnoutasChichikovhadintendedtheyshould.Inthefirstplace,heoverslepthimself.Thatwaschecknumberone.Inthesecondplace,onhisrisingandinquiringwhetherthebritchkahadbeenharnessedandeverythinggotready,hewasinformedthatneitherofthosetwothingshadbeendone.Thatwaschecknumbertwo.Besidehimselfwithrage,hepreparedtogiveSelifanthewiggingofhislife,and,meanwhile,waitedimpatientlytohearwhatthedelinquenthadgottosayinhisdefence.ItgoeswithoutsayingthatwhenSelifanmadehisappearanceinthedoorwayhehadonlytheusualexcusestooffer—thesortofexcusesusuallyofferedbyservantswhenahastydeparturehasbecomeimperativelynecessary.

           “PaulIvanovitch,”hesaid,“thehorsesrequireshoeing.”

           “Blockhead!”exclaimedChichikov.“Whydidyounottellmeofthatbefore,youdamnedfool?Wastherenottimeenoughforthemtobeshod?”

           “Yes,Isupposetherewas,”agreedSelifan.“Alsooneofthewheelsisinwantofanewtyre,fortheroadsaresoroughthattheoldtyreiswornthrough.Also,thebodyofthebritchkaissoricketythatprobablyitwillnotlastmorethanacoupleofstages.”

           “Rascal!”shoutedChichikov,clenchinghisfistsandapproachingSelifaninsuchamannerthat,fearingtoreceiveablow,themanbackedanddodgedaside.