“Nothing at present, except that Svinkin has lost his case.”
“And to think that you work from eight to twelve, and from twelve to five, and again in the evening! Dear, dear!”
“Well, what should I do if I were not in the Service?” asked Sudbinski.
“You would just read and write on your own account.”
“But it is not given to every one to be a littérateur. For example, you yourself write nothing.”
“No, for I have some property on my hands,” said Oblomov with a sigh. “But I am working out a new system for it; I am going to introduce reforms of various kinds. The affair worries me terribly.”
“Well, for my part, I must work, in order to make a little money. Besides, I am to be married this coming autumn.”
“Indeed! And to whom?”
“To Mademoiselle Murashina. Do you remember their country villa, next to mine? I think you came to tea with me and met her there?”
“No, I have no recollection of it. Is she pretty?”