Oblomov / Обломов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

«Well», he seemed to be thinking, «what do you want? Some other Zakhar? Can’t you see that I’m here?» He transferred his gaze from the left to the right, past his master; there, too, he was reminded of himself by the looking-glass covered with a thick layer of dust as with muslin – his own gloomy and unattractive face looked at him sullenly and wildly from there as through a mist. He turned away with displeasure from that melancholy and all-too-familiar object and made up his mind to glance for a moment at Oblomov.

Zakhar could not bear the reproach in his master’s eyes, and lowered his own eyes: there again, in the carpet, impregnated with dust and covered with stains, he read the sad testimony to his zeal in his master’s service.

В«Zakhar!В» Oblomov repeated with feeling.

В«What is it, sir?В» Zakhar asked in a barely audible whisper and gave a slight shudder, anticipating a pathetic speech.

В«Give me some kvasВ», said Oblomov.

Zakhar breathed freely; he felt so happy that he rushed like a boy to the sideboard and brought some kvas.

«Well, how do you feel?» Oblomov asked gently, taking a sip from the glass and holding it in his hands. «You’re sorry, aren’t you?»

The crestfallen expression on Zakhar’s face was immediately softened by a ray of repentance that appeared on his features. Zakhar felt the first symptoms of awakening reverence for his master and he suddenly began to look straight in his eyes.

В«Are you sorry for your misdemeanour?В» asked Oblomov.

«Why, what „misdemeanour“ is this?» Zakhar thought bitterly. «Something awful, I’ll be bound. I shall burst into tears if he goes on lecturing me like this».

«Well, sir», Zakhar began on the lowest note of his register, «I haven’t said nothing except that…»

«No, wait!» Oblomov interrupted. «Do you realize what you’ve done? Here, put the glass on the table and tell me».

Zakhar said nothing, being completely at a loss to understand what he had done, but that did not prevent him from looking with reverence at his master; he even hung his head a little, conscious of his guilt.

«Well, aren’t you a venomous creature?» Oblomov said.

Zakhar still said nothing, and only blinked slowly a few times.

«You’ve grieved your master!» Oblomov declared slowly, looking fixedly at Zakhar and enjoying his embarrassment.

Zakhar felt so miserable that he wished he could sink through the floor.