Oblomov / Обломов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

В«What nonsense is that! Vyborg! Why, they say wolves roam the streets there in winter!В»

В«Oh, well, they do come there sometimes from the islands, but what has that got to do with you?В»

«But it’s such a dull place – a wilderness, no one lives there».

«Nonsense! A good friend of mine lives there. She has a house of her own with big kitchen gardens. She is a gentlewoman, a widow with two children. Her unmarried brother lives with her. He’s a clever fellow, not like that chap in the corner there», he said, pointing to Alexeyev.

«He’s a damn sight more intelligent than you or I».

«What has that got to do with me?» Oblomov said impatiently. «I’m not going to move there».

В«We shall see about that. No, sir, if you ask for my advice, you have to do as I tell youВ».

«I’m not going there», Oblomov said firmly.

В«To hell with you, thenВ», replied Tarantyev, and, pulling his hat over his eyes, walked to the door.

В«You funny fellowВ», Tarantyev said, coming back.

В«Do you find it so pleasant here?В»

«Pleasant? Why it’s so near to everything», Oblomov said. «To the shops, the theatre, my friends – it’s the centre of the city, everything…»

В«Wha-at?В» Tarantyev interrupted him. В«And how long is it since you went out? Tell me that. How long is it since you went to a theatre? Who are the friends you visit? Why the hell do you want to live in the centre of the city, pray?В»

В«What do you mean, why? For lots of reasonsВ».

«You see, you don’t know yourself.

But there – why, think of it: you’ll live in the house of a gentlewoman, a good friend of mine, in peace and quiet. No one to disturb you – no noise, clean and tidy. Why, you live here just as at an inn – you, a gentleman, a landowner! But there everything is clean and quiet, and there’s always someone to talk to if you’re bored. Except me, no one will come to visit you there. Two children – play about with them to your heart’s content. What more do you want? And think what you will save! What do you pay here?»

В«Fifteen hundredВ».

«Well, there you’d pay a thousand for almost a whole house! And such lovely bright rooms! She’s long been wanting a quiet, tidy lodger – so there you are!»

Oblomov shook his head absent-mindedly.

«Nonsense, you’ll move all right!» said Tarantyev. «Just consider: it’ll cost you half of what you’re spending here: you’ll save five hundred in rent alone.