15/39 His whole face tended towards the nose--it was what, in common parlance, is known as a "pitcher-mug." "Would you mind telling me," repeated Chichikov, "whether this is the desk for serf affairs ?" "It is that," said Ivan Antonovitch, again lowering his jug-shaped jowl, and resuming his writing. From various landowners in this canton I have purchased a number of peasants for transfer. Here is the purchase list, and it needs but to be registered." "Have you also the vendors here ?" "Some of them, and from the rest I have obtained powers of attorney." "And have you your statement of application ?" "Yes. I desire--indeed, it is necessary for me so to do--to hasten matters a little. Could the affair, therefore, be carried through to-day ?" "To-day? |