Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/220

210 that he should be the creator of prosperity and the harmonious order of things. And they call that dull work!'

Tchitchikov drank in the sweet sound of his host's words like the singing of a bird of paradise. His mouth positively watered. His eyes shone with sugary sweetness, and he could have listened for ever.

'Konstantin, it is time to get up,' said his wife, getting up from the table. Platonov rose, Skudronzhoglo got up, Tchitchikov got up, though he would have liked to go on sitting still and listening. Making a loop of his arm, Tchitchikov led the lady of the house back. But his head was not ingratiatingly on one side and there was not the same sprightly politeness in his movements. His mind was absorbed in more substantial movements and considerations.

'You can say what you like, but it is dull all the same,' said Platonov, who was walking behind them.

'Our visitor seems quite a sensible fellow,' thought Skudronzhoglo, 'and not a boastful fool.' And upon this reflection he became still more cheerful, as though his own talk had warmed him up, as though he were delighted at having found a man capable of taking good advice.

Afterwards when they were all settled in a snug little room lighted by candles, facing a big glass door into the garden, Tchitchikov felt happier than he had for a very long time, as though after long wandering he had been