Previous - next
be remarked that a household requires other pursuits to be engaged in
than lengthy embracings and the preparing of cunning "surprises." Yes,
many a function calls for fulfilment. For instance, why should it be
thought foolish or low to superintend the kitchen? Why should care not
be taken that the storeroom never lacks supplies? Why should a
housekeeper be allowed to thieve? Why should slovenly and drunken
servants exist? Why should a domestic staff be suffered in indulge in
bouts of unconscionable debauchery during its leisure time? Yet none
of these things were thought worthy of consideration by Manilov's
wife, for she had been gently brought up, and gentle nurture, as we
all know, is to be acquired only in boarding schools, and boarding
schools, as we know, hold the three principal subjects which
constitute the basis of human virtue to be the French language (a
thing indispensable to the happiness of married life), piano-playing
(a thing wherewith to beguile a husband's leisure moments), and that
particular department of housewifery which is comprised in the
knitting of purses and other "surprises." Nevertheless changes and
improvements have begun to take place, since things now are governed
more by the personal inclinations and idiosyncracies of the keepers of
such establishments. For instance, in some seminaries the regimen
places piano-playing first, and the French language second, and then
the above department of housewifery; while in other seminaries the
knitting of "surprises" heads the list, and then the French language,
and then the playing of pianos--so diverse are the systems in force!
None the less, I may remark that Madame Manilov--
[2] An annual tax upon peasants, payment of which secured to the payer
the right of removal.
But let me confess that I always shrink from saying too much about
ladies. Moreover, it is time that we returned to our heroes, who,
during the past few minutes, have been standing in front of the
drawing-room door, and engaged in urging one another to enter first.
"Pray be so good as not to inconvenience yourself on my account," said
Chichikov. "_I_ will follow YOU."
"No, Paul Ivanovitch--no! You are my guest." And Manilov pointed
towards the doorway.
"Make no difficulty about it, I pray," urged Chichikov. "I beg of you
to make no difficulty about it, but to pass into the room."
"Pardon me, I will not. Never could I allow so distinguished and so
welcome a guest as yourself to take second place."
"Why call me 'distinguished,' my dear sir? I beg of you to proceed."
"Nay; be YOU pleased to do so."
"And why?"
"For the reason which I have stated." And Manilov smiled his very
pleasantest smile.
Finally the pair entered simultaneously and sideways; with the result
that they jostled one another not a little in the process.
"Allow me to present to you my wife," continued Manilov. "My
dear--Paul Ivanovitch."
Upon that Chichikov caught sight of a lady whom hitherto he had
overlooked, but who, with Manilov, was now bowing to him in the
Previous - next
