Chapter 4

           Nextday,withPlatonandConstantine,ChichikovsetforthtointerviewKhlobuev,theownerwhoseestateConstantinehadconsentedtohelpChichikovtopurchasewithanon-interest-bearing,uncovenantedloanoftenthousandroubles.Naturally,ourherowasinthehighestofspirits.ForthefirstfifteenverstsorsotheroadledthroughforestlandandtillagebelongingtoPlatonandhisbrother-in-law;butdirectlythelimitofthesedomainswasreached,forestlandbegantobereplacedwithswamp,andtillagewithwaste.Also,thevillageinKhlobuev’sestatehadaboutitadesertedair,andasfortheproprietorhimself,hewasdiscoveredinastateofdrowsydishevelment,havingnotlonglefthisbed.Amanofaboutforty,hehadhiscravatcrooked,hisfrockcoatadornedwithalargestain,andoneofhisbootswornthrough.Neverthelessheseemeddelightedtoseehisvisitors.

           “What?”heexclaimed.“ConstantineThedorovitchandPlatonMikhalitch?ReallyImustrubmyeyes!NeveragaininthisworlddidIlooktoseecallersarriving.Asarule,folkavoidmelikethedevil,fortheycannotdisabusetheirmindsoftheideathatIamgoingtoaskthemforaloan.Yes,itismyownfault,Iknow,butwhatwouldyou?Totheendwillswinecheatswine.Prayexcusemycostume.Youwillobservethatmybootsareinholes.ButhowcanIaffordtogetthemmended?”

           “Nevermind,”saidConstantine.“Wehavecomeonbusinessonly.MayIpresenttoyouapossiblepurchaserofyourestate,inthepersonofPaulIvanovitchChichikov?”

           “Iamindeedgladtomeetyou!”wasKhlobuev’sresponse.