Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/176

166 voice rang out again: 'Take the pike and the seven crucians to my booby the cook, but hand me the sturgeon here; I'll take it myself on the droshky.' Again there were shouts: 'Big Foma and Little Foma, Kozma and Denis!'

When Tchitchikov drove up to the front door, to his intense astonishment the fat gentleman was already on the steps, and received him with open arms. It was inconceivable how he could have managed to fly there in the time. They kissed each other three times, first on one cheek and then on the other.

'I have brought you greetings from his Excellency,' said Tchitchikov.

'From what Excellency?'

'From your kinsman, from the General Alexandr Dimitrievitch.'

'Who is Alexandr Dimitrievitch?'

'General Betrishtchev,' answered Tchitchikov, with some surprise.

'I don't know him, he is a stranger.'

Tchitchikov was still more astonished.

'How's that? I hope anyway I have the pleasure of addressing Colonel Koshkaryov?'

'Pyotr Petrovitch Pyetuh,' the stout gentleman caught him up.

Tchitchikov was dumbfoundered.

'Well, upon my soul! What have you done, you fools?' he said, turning to Selifan, who was sitting on the box and Petrushka, who was standing at the carriage door, both with their mouths wide open and their eyes starting out