PLEASE HEL 85 POINT Chichikov's amusement at the peasant's outburst prevented him from noticing that he had reached the centre of a large and populous village; but, presently, a violent jolt aroused him to the fact that he was driving over wooden pavements of a kind compared with which the cobblestones of the town had been as nothing. Like the keys of a piano, the planks kept rising and falling, and unguarded passage over them entailed either a bump on the back of the neck or a bruise on the forehead or a bite on the tip of one's tongue. At the same time Chichikov noticed a look of decay about the buildings of the village.
Suddenly a woman appeared from an outbuilding—apparently the housekeeper of the mansion, but so roughly as almost to seem indistinguishable from a man. Chichikov inquired for the master of the place.
"He is not at home," she replied, almost before her interlocutor had had time to finish. Then she added: "What do you want with him?"
"I have some business to do," said Chichikov.
"Then pray walk into the house" the woman advised. Entering a large, dark hall which reeked like a tomb, he passed into an equally dark parlor that was lighted only by such rays as contrived to filter through a crack under the door. When Chichikov opened the door in question, the spectacle of the untidiness within struck him almost with amazement. Whilst Chichikov was gazing at this extraordinary mess, a side door opened and there entered the housekeeper who had met him near the outbuildings. Chichikov assumed a questioning air, and waited to hear what the housekeeper might have to say. The housekeeper did the same. At length, Chichikov decided to ask the first question.
"Is the master at home?" he inquired.
"Yes," replied the person addressed.
"Then where is he?" continued Chichikov.
"Are you blind, my good sir?" retorted the other. "I am the master."
Involuntarily our hero started and stared. During his travels it had befallen him to meet various types of men—some of them, it may be, types which you and I have never encountered; but even to Chichikov this particular species was new. In the old man's face there was nothing very special—it was much like the wizened face of many another dotard, save that the chin was so greatly projected that whenever he spoke he was forced to wipe it with a handkerchief to avoid dribbling, and that his small eyes were not yet grown dull, but twinkled under their overhanging brows like the eyes of mice.
For several minutes Plushkin stood mute, while Chichikov remained so dazed with the appearance of the host and everything else in the room, that he too, could not begin a conversation, but stood wondering how best to find words in which to explain the object of his visit. For a while he thought of expressing himself to the effect that, having heard so much of his host's benevolence and other rare qualities of spirit, he had considered it his duty to come and pay a tribute of respect; but presently even HE came to the conclusion that this would be overdoing the thing, and, after another glance round the room, decided that the phrase "benevolence and other rare qualities of spirit" might to advantage give place to "economy and genius for method."
Accordingly, the speech mentally composed, he said aloud that, having heard of Plushkin's talents for thrifty and systematic management, he had considered himself bound to make the acquaintance of his host, and to present him with his personal compliments.
With toothless gums Plushkin murmured something in reply, but nothing is known as to its precise terms beyond that it included a statement that the devil was at liberty to fly away with Chichikov's sentiments. However, the laws of Russian hospitality do not permit even of a miser infringing their rules; wherefore Plushkin added to the foregoing a more civil invitation to be seated.
"It is long since I last received a visitor," he went on. "Also, I feel bound to say that I can see little good in their coming. Once introduce the abominable custom of folk paying calls, and forthwith there will ensue such ruin to the management of estates that landowners will be forced to feed their horses on hay. Not for a long, long time have I eaten a meal away from home—although my own kitchen is a poor one, and has its chimney in such a state that, were it to become overheated, it would instantly catch fire."

24
Select the correct answer.
In what way does the protagonist's point of view reflect his cultural background?
A.
The protagonist is surprised when he meets someone who does not conform to his beliefs about social hierarchy.
B.
The protagonist begrudgingly exchanges niceties with the old man in order to follow the norms of Russian hospitality.
C.
The protagonist wishes to challenge societal expectations of businessmen, focusing on his affairs despite the obstacles he faces.
D.
The protagonist is disappointed by the decay he observes as a commonplace problem throughout Russian society.