Oblomov / Обломов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Everything seems to be in its place, but there are still heaps of things to do: hang up the curtains, put up the pictures – you’d be sick and tired of it all, you’d wish you were dead. And the expense!»

«Last time we moved, eight years ago», Zakhar confirmed, «it cost us two hundred roubles – I remember it as if it was today».

«Well, that’s no joke, is it?» said Oblomov. «And how strange life is in a new flat at first! How soon will you get used to it? Why, I shan’t be able to sleep for at least a week in the new place.

I’ll be eaten up with misery when I get up and don’t see the wood-turner’s signboard opposite; if that old woman with the short hair doesn’t look out of the window before dinner, I feel miserable. So you see now what you’re trying to let your master in for, don’t you?» Oblomov asked reproachfully.

В«I see, sirВ», Zakhar whispered humbly.

«Then why did you try to persuade me to move?» said Oblomov. «Do you think I’m strong enough to stand it?»

«I thought, sir, that other people are no better than us, and if they move, why can’t we?»

В«What? What?В» Oblomov asked in surprise, rising from his chair.

В«What did you say?В»

Zakhar was utterly confused, not knowing what he could have said to cause his master’s pathetic words and gestures. He was silent.

«Other people are no better!» Oblomov repeated in dismay. «So that’s what you’ve been leading up to! Now I shall know that I’m the same as „other people“ to you!»

Oblomov bowed to Zakhar ironically, and looked highly offended.

В«Good Lord, sir, I never said that you were the same as anyone else, did I?В»

«Get out of my sight, sir!» Oblomov cried imperiously, pointing to the door. «I can’t bear to look at you! „Other people!“ That’s nice!»

Zakhar heaved a deep sigh and withdrew to his room.

В«What a life!В» he growled, sitting down on the stove.

«Good Lord», Oblomov, too, groaned. «Here I was going to devote the morning to some decent work, and now I’m upset for the whole day.

And who’s done it? My own tried and devoted servant. And the things he has said! How could he have said it?»

Oblomov could not compose himself for a long time; he lay down, he got up, paced the room, and again lay down. In Zakhar’s attempt to reduce him to the level of other people he saw a violation of his rights to Zakhar’s exclusive preference of his own master.