Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/44



happened however as Tchitchikov intended. To begin with, he woke later than he expected—that was the first mishap. As soon as he was up he sent to inquire whether the chaise had been packed and everything got ready; but they brought him word that the chaise had not been prepared and nothing was ready—that was the second mishap. He was very angry, and even made up his mind to give our friend Selifan something like a drubbing, and only waited with impatience to hear what explanation the latter would give to justify himself. Selifan soon made his appearance at the door, and Tchitchikov had the satisfaction of hearing from his lips the sayings usually heard from servants when one is in a hurry to set off.

'But the horses want shoeing, you know, Pavel Ivanovitch.'

'Oh you pig's face! you post! Why did you not speak about it before? Surely you had plenty of time, hadn't you?'

'Why yes, I had time. And then there's the wheel too, Pavel Ivanovitch, there ought to be new tyres for the road is all ups and downs, there are such ruts everywhere now. … And if you will allow me to say so, the front part of