Oblomov - Ivan Goncharov [15]
‘But what should I do if I were not in the service?’ asked Sudbinsky.
‘Lots of things! You could read, write…’ said Oblomov.
‘But I do nothing but read and write now.’
‘I don’t mean that. You could publish your writings.’
‘Not everyone can be a writer. Look at you. You don’t write, do you?’ replied Sudbinsky.
‘Ah, but I have an estate on my hands,’ said Oblomov with a sigh. ‘I’m devising a new scheme, introducing all sorts of improvements. Worrying myself to death. But you’re doing other people’s work – not your own.’
‘Well, that can’t be helped. One has to work, if one is paid. I’ll have a rest in the summer. My chief has promised to get me some special work which will take me out into the country. I’ll get travelling expenses to hire five horses, three roubles a day for my other expenses, and then promotion.…’
‘They have money to burn!’ Oblomov said enviously; then he sighed and fell into thought.
‘I need money,’ added Sudbinsky. ‘I’m getting married in the autumn.’
‘Good Lord! Really? To whom?’ Oblomov cried sympathetically.
‘Yes, indeed, to Miss Murashin. You remember they were staying next to me in the country during my summer holidays and had tea at my place? I believe you met her.’
‘No, I don’t remember. Is she pretty?’ asked Oblomov.
‘Yes, she’s a charming girl. If you like, we can go and have dinner with them.’
Oblomov looked embarrassed. ‘All right – only – –’
‘Next week,’ said Sudbinsky.
‘Yes, yes, next week,’ Oblomov agreed, feeling relieved. ‘My new suit isn’t ready yet. Tell me, is it a good match?’
‘Oh yes, her father is a high-grade civil servant. He’s giving her ten thousand, and he has free Government quarters. He’s letting us have twelve rooms; furniture, heating, and lighting provided free. Not so bad.’
‘Not so bad, indeed! You’re a lucky chap, Sudbinsky,’ Oblomov added, not without envy.
‘You must be my best man, Oblomov! Don’t forget.’
‘Why, of course,’ said Oblomov. ‘Well, and what about Kuznetzov, Vassilyev, Makhov?’
‘Kuznetzov has been married for years, Makhov is now in my place, and Vassilyev has been transferred to Poland. Ivan Petrovich has received the Order of St Vladimir, and Oleshkin is “His Excellency” now.’
‘He’s a nice fellow,’ said Oblomov.
‘Yes, yes. He deserves it.’
‘A very nice fellow indeed. Good-natured and even-tempered.’
‘So obliging,’ Sudbinsky added. ‘And, you know, never tries to curry favour, to make mischief, trip one up, get ahead of anyone – he does all he can for people.’
‘An excellent fellow! I remember if I made a mess of some official report, left something out, expressed a wrong opinion, or quoted the wrong law in a memorandum, he didn’t mind; he’d merely tell someone else to put it right. An excellent fellow!’ Oblomov concluded.
‘But our Semyon Semyonovich is incorrigible,’ said Sudbinsky. ‘All he’s good for is to throw dust in people’s eyes. What do you think he did the other day? We received a demand from the provinces for putting up dog kennels near the buildings of our ministry, to guard against the depredation of Government property; our architect, a capable, experienced, and honest man, drew up a very moderate estimate; but Semyon Semyonovich thought it was too high and began making inquiries to find out how much the kennels would cost to build. He discovered someone who agreed to do it at thirty copecks less and at once sent in a memorandum about it.…’
There was another ring at the front door.
‘Good-bye,’ said the civil servant. ‘I’m afraid I’ve been chatting too long to you. I may be wanted at the office.…’
‘Do stay a little longer,’ Oblomov said, trying to detain him. ‘Besides, I’d like to ask your advice – two awful things have happened to me.’
‘No, no, I’m sorry, old man, I’d better look you up again in a couple of days,’ Sudbinsky said, leaving the room.
‘My dear fellow, you’re up to your neck in it,’ thought Oblomov, as he watched him go. ‘Blind, deaf, and dumb to everything else in the world. But he’ll be a big man