"I say this frankly, and not for the purpose of offending you, but simply to communicate to you my friendly opinion." "To everything there are limits," retorted Chichikov stiffly.

"If you want to indulge in speeches of that sort you had better return to the barracks." However, after a pause he added: "If you do not care to give me the serfs, why not SELL them ?" "SELL them?
_I_ know you, you rascal! You wouldn't give me very much for them, WOULD you ?" "A nice fellow! Look here.

What are they to you?
So many diamonds, eh ?" "I thought so! _I_ know you!" "Pardon me, but I could wish that you were a member of the Jewish persuasion.

You would give them to me fast enough then." "On the contrary, to show you that I am not a usurer, I will decline to ask of you a single kopeck for the serfs.

All that you need do is to buy that colt of mine, and then I will throw in the serfs in addition." "But what should _I_ want with your colt ?" said Chichikov, genuinely astonished at the proposal.
"What should YOU want with him?
Why, I have bought him for ten thousand roubles, and am ready to let you have him for four." "I ask you again: of what use could the colt possibly be to me?
I am not the keeper of a breeding establishment." "Ah! I see that you fail to understand me.