Come, come! At least give me an answer." Again the old woman communed with herself.
"What are you thinking of, Nastasia Petrovna ?" inquired Chichikov.
"I am thinking that I scarcely know what to do.

Perhaps I had better sell you some hemp ?" "What do I want with hemp?
Pardon me, but just when I have made to you a different proposal altogether you begin fussing about hemp! Hemp is hemp, and though I may want some when I NEXT visit you, I should like to know what you have to say to the suggestion under discussion." "Well, I think it a very queer bargain.

Never have I heard of such a thing." Upon this Chichikov lost all patience, upset his chair, and bid her go to the devil; of which personage even the mere mention terrified her extremely.
"Do not speak of him, I beg of you!" she cried, turning pale.

"May God, rather, bless him! Last night was the third night that he has appeared to me in a dream.

You see, after saying my prayers, I bethought me of telling my fortune by the cards; and God must have sent him as a punishment.