Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/197

Rh He was lying however, he would bring some more: 'try your luck' is a saying of great power.

'Then be so good, Konstantin Fyodorovitch, … make it a little less,' said the travelling merchant in the blue Siberian coat, who was walking on the other side of him.

'Why, I told you my price at first, I am not fond of bargaining. I tell you again: I am not like other landowners to whom you go just the day the interest is due on their mortgage. I know you well. You have a list of them and put down when each has to pay his interest. He is pressed for money and he will sell at half price. But what's your money to me? For all I care my things can lie unsold three years; I have no interest to pay.'

'That's the fact, Konstantin Fyodorovitch. But you know I only … so that I may have dealings with you in the future and not from greed. Take three thousand as deposit.' The dealer took out of the bosom of his coat a bundle of greasy notes.

Skudronzhoglo took it coolly, and without counting them, thrust them into the back pocket of his coat.

'H'm,' thought Tchitchikov, 'just as though it were a pocket-handkerchief.'

A minute later Skudronzhoglo appeared at the door of the drawing-room.

'Hullo, brother, you here,' he said on seeing Platonov. They embraced and kissed each other. Platonov introduced Tchitchikov. Tchitchikov