Only when Themistocleus had muttered "Paris" did the preceptor grow calmer, and nod his head.
"And which is the finest city in Russia ?" continued Manilov.
Again the tutor's attitude became wholly one of concentration.
"St.Petersburg," replied Themistocleus.
"And what other city ?" "Moscow," responded the boy.
"Clever little dear!" burst out Chichikov, turning with an air of surprise to the father.

"Indeed, I feel bound to say that the child evinces the greatest possible potentialities." "You do not know him fully," replied the delighted Manilov.

"The amount of sharpness which he possesses is extraordinary.

Our younger one, Alkid, is not so quick; whereas his brother--well, no matter what he may happen upon (whether upon a cowbug or upon a water-beetle or upon anything else), his little eyes begin jumping out of his head, and he runs to catch the thing, and to inspect it.

For HIM I am reserving a diplomatic post.