Chapter 17 17. Wonderful ending

In the house of Stetchkin, the conductor of the train, who was off duty one day, sat Lyubov Grigoryevna, a well-made, well-built woman of about forty.She specialized in matchmaking, and she also did many other things that were usually only whispered about behind closed doors.Stitchkin was a little embarrassed, but serious, earnest, and steady as usual.Walking up and down the room, smoking a cigar, he said: "It has been a pleasure meeting you. Semyon Ivanovich recommended you to me, and he thought you would be useful to me in a very delicate matter." Help. This matter is of the utmost importance to my happiness in life. I, Lyubov Grigorievna, am already fifty-two years old, that is to say, at my age, Ben The children are in groups. My career is stable. Although the property is not much, it is not a problem to support the beloved woman and children. I will tell you privately that in addition to my salary, I have savings in the bank. Saved by the way I live. I'm a decent man, I don't drink, I lead a serious and reasonable life, and I can set an example to many in this, so to speak. But then again, I still Something is lacking - no family warmth, no life partner, I am like a wandering Hungarian, no fixed place, no entertainment, no one to talk to, no one to bring water when I get sick, Wait, wait, etc. Besides, Lyubov Grigorievna, married people are often more prestigious in society than bachelors... I am educated and rich, but if I start from Looking at me from a certain point of view, what kind of person am I? A lonely person is no different from a monk. Therefore, I very much hope that Xumen can come to make a match—that is, to conclude a marriage with a well-matched lady marriage."

"It's a good thing!" The matchmaker hissed. "I'm alone, and I don't know anyone in this city. Since I don't know anyone, where and whom should I go? That's why Semyon Ivanovitch advised me to find someone who is a specialist in this field." Expert, her job is to make people happy. That's why I beg you, Lyubov Grigorievna, for your help in ordering my fate. Maids in town I know, it is not difficult for you to promote my good deeds." "That's not a problem..." "Please drink, you're welcome..." The matchmaker deftly brought the wine glass to her mouth and drank it down without even frowning.

"That's all right," she went on. "And what kind of bride do you want, Nikolay Nikolaitch?" "Me? Then let it be." "Speaking of fate, of course. But everyone has his own taste. Some people like black hair, and some like blondes." "Do you know, Lyubov Grigorievna," Struchkin sighed gravely, "that I am a decent man and a strong character. Beauty and general appearance are secondary to me because , you also know that the face can't be used as water, and there are many things to worry about when marrying a beautiful wife. I think so: the important thing about a woman is not the appearance, but the inside. Sex is good. Please drink, you are welcome... Needless to say, if the wife looks rich, she will certainly look comfortable, but this is not important to the happiness of both parties, what is important is wisdom. But to be honest, women are also Wisdom is not needed, because with it she will be pretentious and dreamy. It is impossible to be uneducated these days, of course, but there are various kinds of education. If the wife can speak French fluently or German, or even a mastery of the languages, is of course good, even wonderful; but if she gives you, say, the inability to nail a button, what good is it to be able to speak a foreign language? I am educated, even with Duke Carnigeline, I can speak as well as I can now with you. I need a woman who is more down-to-earth. Above all, she must respect me, and she must understand that I have given her happiness."

"of course." "Okay, now let's talk about nouns... I don't want the daughter of a rich family. I can't abuse myself and get married for money. I hope I won't eat a woman's bread, but let her eat my bread, and I want her to eat mine. Let her understand this in her heart. But I can't have a girl from a poor family. Although I have a lot of money, although I marry not out of greed but out of love, I can't marry a poor woman, because , as you know, things are expensive now, and besides, you will have children in the future." "You can find someone with a dowry," said the matchmaker.

"Please drink, you're welcome..." The two were silent for five minutes.The matchmaker sighed, glanced at the conductor, and asked: "Well, sir, you can't have that kind of... single woman, can you? There are some good ones. There is a French woman and a Greek woman. They are all in demand. .” The conductor thought about it and said, "No, thank you. I appreciate your kindness. Now let me ask: how much do you charge for a bride?" "It's not much. If you pay twenty-five rubles plus a piece of clothing according to the old custom, I'll be grateful... As for a dowry woman, that's another price."

Stitchkin folded his arms across his chest and began to think.He thought for a while, then sighed and said, "The price is too expensive..." "It's not expensive at all, Nikolay Nikolaitch! In the old days, more marriages were done and the fees were cheaper. How much money do we make these days? If we don't fast If you can earn two twenty-five rubles a month, you will be thankful, and to tell you the truth, my lord, we can't get rich just by making matches." Stitchkin looked at the matchmaker in bewilderment and shrugged his shoulders. "Hmph! Isn't fifty rubles less?" he asked.

"Naturally less! I used to take more than a hundred." "Hmph! I never thought you could make a lot of money doing that. Fifty rubles! That's not what every man can earn! Drink, please, don't be shy..." The matchmaker drank another cup without frowning.Stitchkin looked her over from head to toe in silence, and said: "Fifty rubles... so that's six hundred a year... Please drink, you're welcome... There are so many red pears, how can you buy them?" I know, Lyubov Grigorievna, it will not be difficult for you to find yourself a bridegroom..."

"Me?" The matchmaker smiled, "I'm getting old..." "Not at all... You have such a good figure, your face is white and fat, and the rest are not bad." The matchmaker is sorry.Stitchkin, too, was ashamed, and sat down next to her. "You're quite agreeable," said he, "and if you find a decent head of household who can live frugally, you'll be even more agreeable with his salary and your income." If you like it, the couple will live in love with each other..." "God knows what you're talking about, Nikolay Nikolaitch..."

"What's the matter with talking? I have no malicious intentions..." There was a silence.Stechkin began to wipe his nose loudly, and the matchmaker, blushing and looking at him shyly, asked: "And what is your monthly income, Nikolay Nikolaitch?" "Me? Seventy-five rubles, that's not a bonus. . . . Besides, we got some money on tallow candles and rabbits." "Do you hunt?" "No, we call fare evasion passengers rabbits." Another minute passed in silence.Stitchkin got up and began to walk up and down the room excitedly. "I'm not looking for a young girl," he said, "I'm an older person, and I want a woman like you... over middle age, steady, with a figure like yours..."

"God knows what you're talking about..." The matchmaker giggled, covering her flushed face with a handkerchief. "What is there to consider? I think your qualities are just what I like. I am a decent man, and I don't drink. If you like it, then... that's the best! Please allow me propose to you!" The matchmaker was so excited that she shed tears, and then giggled again.To express her agreement, she immediately clinked glasses with Stitchkin. "Okay," said the beaming train conductor, "now let me explain to you how I want you to treat people, how to run a family and live... My wife is as strict as me, and she must understand that I am her benefactor and the most important person in her life."

He sat down, sighed deeply, and began to expound to the bride-to-be his views on family life, responsibilities to a wife, and so on.

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