Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/186

176 Tchitchikov meanwhile reflected: 'It really would be a good thing. I might manage that he should undertake all the expenses. I might even so arrange as to set off with his horses, and to leave mine to be kept in his stables, and to take his carriage for the journey.'

'Well, why not go for a trip,' Platonov was thinking meanwhile; 'maybe it would cheer me up. I have nothing to do at home, my brother looks after everything as it is; so it would not be disarranging things. After all why shouldn't I amuse myself?'

'And would you agree,' he said aloud, 'to stay two days at my brother's? He won't let me go without.'

'With the greatest pleasure, three if you like.'

'In that case here's my hand on it! We'll go,' said Platonov, becoming more animated.

'Bravo!' cried Tchitchikov, clapping his hands, 'we'll go!'

'Where? where?' asked their host, waking up and staring at them with wide-open eyes. 'No, gentlemen, orders have been given for the wheels to be taken off your carriage, and your horse, Platon Mihailovitch, is ten miles away by now. No, to-night you will stay here, and to-morrow you can go home after an early dinner.'

'Upon my soul!' thought Tchitchikov. Platonov made no answer, knowing that Pyetuh had his own ways, and could not be turned from them. They had to remain. They were