Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/156

146 'My career in the service,' said Tchitchikov, sitting down, not in the middle of the chair but on the edge of it, with one hand holding on to the arm, 'began in the Treasury, your Excellency; I passed the later years of it in various departments: I have been in the Imperial Court department, and on the Buildings Committee and in the Customs. My life may be compared to a vessel in mid-ocean, your Excellency. In suffering, I may say, I was reared, in suffering I was fostered, in suffering I was swaddled, and I am, so to say, nothing but an embodiment of suffering. And what I have endured at the hands of my enemies no words could depict. Now in the evening, so to speak, of my life I am seeking a nook in which to spend the remnant of my days. I am staying for the time with a near neighbour of yours, your Excellency …'

'With whom?'

'At Tyentyetnikov's, your Excellency.'

The general frowned.

'He deeply regrets, your Excellency, that he did not show fitting respect …'

'Respect for what?'

'For the distinguished merits of your Excellency,' answered Tchitchikov. 'He cannot find words, he does not know how to atone for his conduct. He says: "If only I could in some way …" he says. "I know how to honour the men who have saved their country. …"'

'Upon my soul, what does he mean? … Why, I am not angry with him,' said the general, mollified.