Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/233

Rh 'You see how much land has run to waste,' said Skudronzhoglo, beginning to get angry. 'If he had only let people know beforehand, some one might have been glad to cultivate it. If he has nothing to plough with, he might dig it up and turn it into a market garden; he would have got something for the vegetables! He has made his peasants sit idle for four years—that's no matter, of course! Why, by that alone you have corrupted them and ruined them for ever; they have grown used to rags and vagrancy!'

Skudronzhoglo spat with anger as he said this, and his features were overshadowed by a cloud of gloom.

'I can't stay here any longer: it makes me ill to see this neglect and waste! You can settle with him without me now. Get this treasure away from that fool as soon as you can. He simply dishonours God's gifts.' Saying this Skudronzhoglo said good-bye to Tchitchikov, and overtaking Hlobuev, began saying good-bye to him too.

'Upon my word, Konstantin Fyodorovitch!' cried Hlobuev in astonishment, 'you have only just come and you are going!'

'I can't stay, it is very urgent for me to be at home,' said Skudronzhoglo, and taking leave, got on his racing droshky and went off.

It seemed as though Hlobuev understood the reason of his departure. 'Konstantin Fyodorovitch couldn't endure it,' he said. I feel that it can't be cheering for a farmer such as