Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol1.djvu/60

48 vigorously that it began to wheeze like a bassoon. It seemed as though he were trying to draw out of it some opinion in regard to this incredible incident; but the pipe wheezed—and nothing more.

'Perhaps you have some hesitation?'

'Oh, indeed, not the slightest! I don't say this as passing any criticism on you at all, but allow me to suggest, will not this undertaking or, to express it more precisely, negotiation—will not this negotiation be inconsistent with the civic code and ultimate welfare of Russia?'

At this point Manilov making a movement with his hand looked very significantly into Tchitchikov's face, displaying in his tightly compressed lips and in all the features of his face an expression more profound than has perhaps ever been seen on the human countenance, unless indeed on that of some extremely wise minister at a critical moment in a most perplexing situation.

But Tchitchikov said that such an undertaking or negotiation would be in no way inconsistent with the civic code and ultimate welfare of Russia, and a minute later he added that the government would indeed gain by it as it would receive the legal fees.

'That is your opinion?'

'It is my opinion that it will be quite right.'

'Oh, if it is quite right that is another thing; I have nothing against it,' said Manilov, and he was completely reassured.

'Now we have only to agree upon the price …'

'The price?' inquired Manilov again, and he