Oblomov / Обломов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

My digestion is awful; I’ve such a feeling of heaviness in the pit of the stomach, terrible heartburn, and attacks of breathlessness», Oblomov said, looking miserable.

«Give me your hand», said the doctor, closing his eyes for a minute and feeling Oblomov’s pulse.

В«Any cough?В» he asked.

В«At night, especially after supperВ».

В«I see. Any palpitations? Headache?В»

The doctor asked several more questions of the same kind, then he bent his bald head and thought deeply. After two minutes he suddenly raised his head and said in a firm voice:

«If you spend another two or three years in this climate, and go on lying about and eating rich, heavy food, you’ll die of a stroke».

Oblomov gave a start.

«What am I to do? Tell me, for heaven’s sake!» he cried. «What everyone else does – go abroad».

В«Abroad?В» Oblomov repeated in surprise.

В«Yes, why not?В»

«But! Good Lord, doctor – abroad! How can I?»

«Why can’t you?»

Oblomov looked silently at himself, at his study, and repeated mechanically:

В«Abroad!В»

В«What is there to prevent you?В»

В«Why, everythingВ».

В«Everything? Have you no money?В»

«Well, as a matter of fact, I haven’t any money at all», Oblomov said quickly, glad of this perfectly natural excuse. «Just have a look what my bailiff writes me. Where’s the letter? Where have I put it? Zakhar!»

«All right, all right», said the doctor. «That isn’t my business. It is my duty to tell you that you must change the manner of your life, the place, air, occupation – everything, everything».

«Very well, I’ll think about it», said Oblomov. «Where ought I to go and what must I do?»

«Go to Kissingen or Ems», the doctor began. «Spend June and July there, drink the waters, then go to Switzerland or the Tyrol for a grape cure. Spend September and October there» —

В«Good Lord, the Tyrol!В» Oblomov whispered in a barely audible voice.

«… then to some dry place, say, to Egypt…»

В«Good Lord!В» thought Oblomov.

«Avoid worry and vexation…»

«It’s all very well for you to talk», said Oblomov. «You don’t get such letters from the bailiff».

В«You must also avoid thinkingВ», the doctor went on.

В«Thinking?В»

В«Yes, mental strainВ».

«And what about my plan for reorganizing my estate? Good heavens, doctor, I’m not a piece of wood, am I?»

«Well, do as you like. It’s my duty to warn you. That’s all.