“We have already discussed it, Konstantin Feodorovitch. The elders have already expressed their minds. ‘Ah!’ they say, ‘every one of Konstantin’s peasants is rich. And your priests are so compassionate, whereas ours don’t attend to their duties; indeed no one can be buried properly.’ ”
“All the same, go and talk it over.”
“I obey you, Konstantin Feodorovitch.”
“Do me the favour to reduce your price, Konstantin Feodorovitch,” now said the itinerant dealer in the blue sibirka, who was walking on the landowner’s other side.
“I have already given you my answer. I am not fond of chaffering. I am not like the other landowners, whom you can beggar because of the pressure of their debts. I know you all, you see. You keep lists of all those who are in debt. What is there to be surprised at in that? A man who is reduced to extremities sells you goods at half-price. But what is your money to me? My things can wait three years if necessary. I have no payments to make to the Advance Bank.”
“That’s true, Konstantin Feodorovitch. And it is simply because I wish to have some dealings with you, and not from any motives of greed, that I ask you this. But please accept three thousand roubles as earnest-money.” The sharper there-upon pulled a bundle of dirty bank-notes from his bosom. Kostanzhoglo took them with the greatest coolness, and thrust them into the rear pocket of his surtout.
“H’m!” thought Tchitchikoff: “just as though the packet were a pocket-handkerchief!”
Kostanzhoglo now made his appearance at the door of the drawing-room. Tchitchikoff was struck by the bronzed hue of his face, the stiffness of his dark hair, which here and there was turning grey prematurely, by the alert expression of his eyes, and by a certain bilious stamp of fiery Southern origin. Kostanzhoglo himself did not know whence his forefathers had come. He did not trouble himself about his genealogy, however, deeming it a matter of no importance, superfluous as regards domestic management. He was not of pure Russian origin, that is certain, as his features proved the contrary; however, he was thoroughly convinced that he was a Muscovite, and he was acquainted with no other tongue than Russian.
Platonoff introduced Tchitchikoff to him, and they kissed each other, according to custom.
“To cure myself of hypochondria, Konstantin, I have hit upon the plan of travelling through the different provinces,” said Platonoff; “and Pavel Ivanovitch here, has proposed that I should accompany him, in order to get rid of my low spirits.”
“Very good,” said Kostanzhoglo. “What localities do you propose to visit?” he added, turning to Tchitchikoff.
“I must confess,” answered Tchitchikoff, inclining his head courteously on one side, and at the same time caressing the arm of his chair, “I must confess that just at present I am travelling not so much on my own account as on the business of someone else. General Betrishtcheff, my intimate friend, and I may say, my benefactor, has asked me to communicate with his relatives. There are several of them to be seen; but on the other hand, I am also travelling on my own account, so to speak: for, not to mention the advantage which is to be derived from travelling as regards health, I like to view the world, and study the habits of the people. Travel forms a living book, a science in itself, so to speak.”
“Yes, it does not do anyone harm to take a peep at various quarters.”
“That remark is capitally put: yes, as a matter of fact, it does no harm. You see things which you would not have otherwise seen: you meet people whom you would not have met. Conversation with some of them is worth its weight in gold. Here now, for example, a case presents itself. I appeal to you, most respected Konstantin Feodorovitch! teach me, instruct me, slake my thirst for knowledge of the truth! I await your sweet words, as I might await manna!”