The Government Inspector

Khlestakov criticizes his servant Osip for “loafing about” (265) on the bed. He tells Osip to order him lunch, though Osip insists that the landlord will not give them any more food until the “pair of crooks” (266) have settled their bill. Khlestakov orders Osip to go down to the dining room to order food; Osip announces that he will go directly to the landlord, so Khlestakov tells Osip to bring the landlord to him.

Left on his own in the room, Khlestakov thinks about his own hunger. He regrets having gambled away all his money in Penza, as he may no longer have “enough money to get home” (267). He impatiently awaits Osip’s return.

A waiter comes to the room to discuss their food order. For all his false manners, Khlestakov becomes his usual rude self when ordering food. The waiter announces that the landlord is displeased and has threatened to go to the Mayor, so he cannot take any food orders from them. Khlestakov urges him to change his mind, as he and Osip must eat. The waiter agrees with this sentiment, at least.

Once he is alone again, Khlestakov thinks about selling his clothes. However, he cannot bear to part with his tailored suit from St. Petersburg. One day, he imagines, he would love to arrive at places in his own carriage, “driving up like the devil himself to some neighbor’s porch” (268). He complains that these provincial townspeople have no idea how to treat important people.

Osip returns with the waiter. While they are able to order food, Khlestakov is told that this is their final order. Khlestakov is pleased at first, then angry as the meal is composed of only two courses. Furthermore, there is no gravy, meat cutlets, or fish. When he complains to the waiter, the waiter points out that the good food is reserved for “proper customers” (269) who pay their bills. When Khlestakov takes a sip of the soup, he spits it out. He complains relentlessly about the food, but still eats it. Eventually, the waiter takes away the empty plates.

Osip has a warning for Khlestakov: The Mayor is waiting for him in the dining room. Worried, Khlestakov fears that he may be sent to jail. He will not go to jail, he announces, and he intends to say exactly this to the Mayor himself.

The Mayor meets Khlestakov, offering his polite greeting and inquiring whether the guest in the town has encountered any problems. Slightly taken aback, Khlestakov insists that he always pays his bills. The landlord and the food at the inn, he claims, are “more to blame” (271). If the food is not to Khlestakov’s liking, the Mayor suggests, then he will happily escort Khlestakov somewhere else. Fearing jail, Khlestakov stammers that he is a government official from the capital.

The Mayor is suddenly concerned that he has angered the supposed inspector. He fears that the conspiracy of shopkeepers has turned against him somehow. Khlestakov becomes more incensed, causing the Mayor to beg him for mercy. Khlestakov loudly declares that he will not leave the town while the Mayor pleads that he is poorly paid, inexperienced, and unsure why anyone is concerned about gossip regarding a few measly bribes. This confuses Khlestakov. In an angry tone, he insists that his bill is paid, but reveals that he is stuck in this town as he is temporarily out of funds. The Mayor suspects this is a subtle way of asking for a bribe. He offers to lend some money to Khlestakov, which calms Khlestakov, who then intends to settle his tab and return the money to the Mayor as soon as he returns to St. Petersburg.

Feeling better, Khlestakov invites the “generous and sincere” (273) Mayor and his companions to drink with him. The Mayor suspects that Khlestakov is trying to maintain his cover. He determines to continue with the apparent ruse on Khlestakov’s part, pretending that he has no clue about any government inspection. He talks about his care for the townspeople and the importance of welcoming visitors warmly. He flatters Khlestakov, who he sees as a very good liar, while Khlestakov complains about being among rural “peasants” (274). The Mayor invites Khlestakov to stay at his own home, which Khlestakov accepts. He insists that all he wants from life is to be treated with respect and devotion.

Khlestakov tells the waiter that he wants to pay his bill. He is angered by the waiter’s sarcastic response, causing the Mayor to dismiss the waiter with an assurance that the bill will be covered.

The Mayor invites Khlestakov to inspect the town’s facilities. Khlestakov cannot understand why, but the Mayor suggests that he would be interested in how he and the other civic leaders “run the place” (276). Khlestakov agrees and accompanies the Mayor in a lavish carriage. Privately, the Mayor sends letters to his wife and to Zemlyanika at the charity hospital. He is interested to see how Khlestakov will react to a delicious lunch and a serving of wine. This will allow him to scrutinize the inspector’s true motives, he reasons.