"And why, Ivan Grigorievitch, do YOU not ask Monsieur Chichikov precisely what his purchases have consisted of?
What a splendid lot of serfs, to be sure! I myself have sold him my wheelwright, Michiev." "What?
You have sold him Michiev ?" exclaimed the President.

"I know the man well.

He is a splendid craftsman, and, on one occasion, made me a drozhki [32].

Only, only--well, lately didn't you tell me that he is dead ?" "That Michiev is dead ?" re-echoed Sobakevitch, coming perilously near to laughing.

"Oh dear no! That was his brother.