And now I can't drive about, I have no one to shoe my horses.'
'It is all God's will, ma'am,' said Tchitchikov with a sigh, 'it is no use murmuring against the wisdom of God. … Let me have them, Nastasya Petrovna.'
'Have whom, sir?'
'Why, all those who are dead.'
'Why, how let you have them?'
'Oh, quite simply. Or if you like sell them, I'll pay you for them.'
'Why, how's that, I really don't take your meaning. Surely you don't want to dig them out of the ground, do you?'
Tchitchikov saw that the old lady was quite at sea, and that he absolutely must explain what he wanted. In a few words he explained to her that the transfer or purchase would take place only on paper and that the souls would be described as though alive.
'But what use will they be to you?' said the old lady, looking at him with round eyes.
'That's my business.'
'But you know they are dead.'
'Well, who says they are alive? That's just why they are a loss to you, that they are dead: you have to pay the tax on them, but now I will save you from all that trouble and expense. Do you understand? And I will not only do that, but give you fifteen roubles besides. Well, is it clear now?'
'I really don't know,' the old lady brought out
