THEMAGNETATTRACTING——AWAIFAMIDFORCES
WhenCarolineMeeberboardedtheafternoontrainforChicago，her，totaloutfitconsistedofasmalltrunk，acheapimitation，alligator-skinsatchel，asmalllunchinapaperbox，anda，yellowleathersnappurse，containingherticket，ascrapof，paperwithhersister’saddressinVanBurenStreet，andfour，dollarsinmoney。ItwasinAugust，1889。Shewaseighteen，yearsofage，bright，timid，andfulloftheillusionsof，ignoranceandyouth。Whatevertouchofregretatparting，characterisedherthoughts，itwascertainlynotforadvantages，nowbeinggivenup。Agushoftearsathermother’sfarewell，kiss，atouchinherthroatwhenthecarsclackedbytheflour，millwhereherfatherworkedbytheday，apatheticsighasthe，familiargreenenvironsofthevillagepassedinreview，andthe，threadswhichboundhersolightlytogirlhoodandhomewere，irretrievablybroken。
Tobesuretherewasalwaysthenextstation，whereonemight，descendandreturn。Therewasthegreatcity，boundmoreclosely，bytheseverytrainswhichcameupdaily。ColumbiaCitywasnot，soveryfaraway，evenonceshewasinChicago。What，pray，isa，fewhours——afewhundredmiles？，Shelookedatthelittleslip，bearinghersister’saddressandwondered。Shegazedatthe，greenlandscape，nowpassinginswiftreview，untilherswifter，thoughtsreplaceditsimpressionwithvagueconjecturesofwhat，Chicagomightbe。
Whenagirlleavesherhomeateighteen，shedoesoneoftwo，things。Eithershefallsintosavinghandsandbecomesbetter，orsherapidlyassumesthecosmopolitanstandardofvirtueand，becomesworse。Ofanintermediatebalance，underthe，circumstances，thereisnopossibility。Thecityhasitscunning，wiles，nolessthantheinfinitelysmallerandmorehuman，tempter。Therearelargeforceswhichallurewithallthe，soulfulnessofexpressionpossibleinthemostculturedhuman。
Thegleamofathousandlightsisoftenaseffectiveasthe，persuasivelightinawooingandfascinatingeye。Halfthe，undoingoftheunsophisticatedandnaturalmindisaccomplished，byforceswhollysuperhuman。Ablareofsound，aroaroflife，a，vastarrayofhumanhives，appealtotheastonishedsensesin，equivocalterms。Withoutacounsellorathandtowhisper，cautiousinterpretations，whatfalsehoodsmaynotthesethings，breatheintotheunguardedear！，Unrecognisedforwhattheyare，theirbeauty，likemusic，toooftenrelaxes，thenweakens，then，pervertsthesimplerhumanperceptions。
Caroline，orSisterCarrie，asshehadbeenhalfaffectionately，termedbythefamily，waspossessedofamindrudimentaryinits，powerofobservationandanalysis。Self-interestwithherwas，high，butnotstrong。Itwas，nevertheless，herguiding，characteristic。Warmwiththefanciesofyouth，prettywiththe，insipidprettinessoftheformativeperiod，possessedofafigure，promisingeventualshapelinessandaneyealightwithcertain，nativeintelligence，shewasafairexampleofthemiddle，Americanclass——twogenerationsremovedfromtheemigrant。Books，werebeyondherinterest——knowledgeasealedbook。Inthe，intuitivegracesshewasstillcrude。Shecouldscarcelytoss，herheadgracefully。Herhandswerealmostineffectual。The，feet，thoughsmall，weresetflatly。Andyetshewasinterested，inhercharms，quicktounderstandthekeenerpleasuresoflife，ambitioustogaininmaterialthings。Ahalf-equippedlittle，knightshewas，venturingtoreconnoitrethemysteriouscityand，dreamingwilddreamsofsomevague，far-offsupremacy，which，shouldmakeitpreyandsubject——theproperpenitent，grovelling，atawoman’sslipper。
“That，“saidavoiceinherear，“isoneoftheprettiestlittle，resortsinWisconsin。”
“Isit？”sheanswerednervously。
ThetrainwasjustpullingoutofWaukesha。Forsometimeshe，hadbeenconsciousofamanbehind。Shefelthimobservingher，massofhair。Hehadbeenfidgetting，andwithnaturalintuition，shefeltacertaininterestgrowinginthatquarter。Her，maidenlyreserve，andacertainsenseofwhatwasconventional，underthecircumstances，calledhertoforestallanddenythis，familiarity，butthedaringandmagnetismoftheindividual，born，ofpastexperiencesandtriumphs，prevailed。Sheanswered。
Heleanedforwardtoputhiselbowsuponthebackofherseatand，proceededtomakehimselfvolublyagreeable。
“Yes，thatisagreatresortforChicagopeople。Thehotelsare，swell。Youarenotfamiliarwiththispartofthecountry，are，you？”
“Oh，yes，Iam，“answeredCarrie。”Thatis，IliveatColumbia，City。Ihaveneverbeenthroughhere，though。”
“AndsothisisyourfirstvisittoChicago，“heobserved。
Allthetimeshewasconsciousofcertainfeaturesoutofthe，sideofhereye。Flush，colourfulcheeks，alightmoustache，a，greyfedorahat。Shenowturnedandlookeduponhiminfull，the，instinctsofself-protectionandcoquetryminglingconfusedlyin，herbrain。
“Ididn’tsaythat，“shesaid。
“Oh，“heanswered，inaverypleasingwayandwithanassumedair，ofmistake，“Ithoughtyoudid。”
Herewasatypeofthetravellingcanvasserforamanufacturing，house——aclasswhichatthattimewasfirstbeingdubbedbythe，slangoftheday“drummers。”Hecamewithinthemeaningofa，stillnewerterm，whichhadsprungintogeneraluseamong，Americansin1880，andwhichconciselyexpressedthethoughtof，onewhosedressormannersarecalculatedtoelicitthe，admirationofsusceptibleyoungwomen——a“masher。”，Hissuitwas，ofastripedandcrossedpatternofbrownwool，newatthattime，butsincebecomefamiliarasabusinesssuit。Thelowcrotchof，thevestrevealedastiffshirtbosomofwhiteandpinkstripes。
Fromhiscoatsleevesprotrudedapairoflinencuffsofthesame，pattern，fastenedwithlarge，goldplatebuttons，setwiththe，commonyellowagatesknownas“cat’s-eyes。”，Hisfingersbore，severalrings——one，theever-enduringheavyseal——andfromhis，vestdangledaneatgoldwatchchain，fromwhichwassuspended，thesecretinsigniaoftheOrderofElks。Thewholesuitwas，rathertight-fitting，andwasfinishedoffwithheavy-soledtan，shoes，highlypolished，andthegreyfedorahat。Hewas，forthe，orderofintellectrepresented，attractive，andwhateverhehad，torecommendhim，youmaybesurewasnotlostuponCarrie，in，this，herfirstglance。
Lestthisorderofindividualshouldpermanentlypass，letmeput，downsomeofthemoststrikingcharacteristicsofhismost，successfulmannerandmethod。Goodclothes，ofcourse，werethe，firstessential，thethingswithoutwhichhewasnothing。A
strongphysicalnature，actuatedbyakeendesireforthe，feminine，wasthenext。Amindfreeofanyconsiderationofthe，problemsorforcesoftheworldandactuatednotbygreed，butan，insatiableloveofvariablepleasure。Hismethodwasalways，simple。Itsprincipalelementwasdaring，backed，ofcourse，by，anintensedesireandadmirationforthesex。Lethimmeetwith，ayoungwomanonceandhewouldapproachherwithanairof，kindlyfamiliarity，notunmixedwithpleading，whichwouldresult，inmostcasesinatolerantacceptance。Ifsheshowedany，tendencytocoquetryhewouldbeapttostraightenhertie，orif，she“tookup“withhimatall，tocallherbyherfirstname。If，hevisitedadepartmentstoreitwastoloungefamiliarlyover，thecounterandasksomeleadingquestions。Inmoreexclusive，circles，onthetrainorinwaitingstations，hewentslower。If，someseeminglyvulnerableobjectappearedhewasallattention——
topassthecomplimentsoftheday，toleadthewaytotheparlor，car，carryinghergrip，or，failingthat，totakeaseatnexther，withthehopeofbeingabletocourthertoherdestination。
Pillows，books，afootstool，theshadelowered;allthesefigured，inthethingswhichhecoulddo。If，whenshereachedher，destinationhedidnotalightandattendherbaggageforher，it，wasbecause，inhisownestimation，hehadsignallyfailed。
Awomanshouldsomedaywritethecompletephilosophyofclothes。
Nomatterhowyoung，itisoneofthethingsshewholly，comprehends。Thereisanindescribablyfaintlineinthematter，ofman’sapparelwhichsomehowdividesforherthosewhoare，worthglancingatandthosewhoarenot。Onceanindividualhas，passedthisfaintlineonthewaydownwardhewillgetnoglance，fromher。Thereisanotherlineatwhichthedressofamanwill，causehertostudyherown。Thislinetheindividualatherelbow，nowmarkedforCarrie。Shebecameconsciousofaninequality。
Herownplainbluedress，withitsblackcottontapetrimmings，nowseemedtohershabby。Shefeltthewornstateofhershoes。
“Let’ssee，“hewenton，“Iknowquiteanumberofpeopleinyour，town。MorgenroththeclothierandGibsonthedrygoodsman。”
“Oh，doyou？”sheinterrupted，arousedbymemoriesoflongings，theirshowwindowshadcosther。
Atlasthehadaclewtoherinterest，andfolloweditdeftly。
Inafewminuteshehadcomeaboutintoherseat。Hetalkedof，salesofclothing，histravels，Chicago，andtheamusementsof，thatcity。
“Ifyouaregoingthere，youwillenjoyitimmensely。Haveyou，relatives？”
“Iamgoingtovisitmysister，“sheexplained。
“YouwanttoseeLincolnPark，“hesaid，“andMichiganBoulevard。
Theyareputtingupgreatbuildingsthere。It’sasecondNew，York——great。Somuchtosee——theatres，crowds，finehouses——oh，you’lllikethat。”
Therewasalittleacheinherfancyofallhedescribed。Her，insignificanceinthepresenceofsomuchmagnificencefaintly，affectedher。Sherealisedthatherswasnottobearoundof，pleasure，andyettherewassomethingpromisinginallthe，materialprospecthesetforth。Therewassomethingsatisfactory，intheattentionofthisindividualwithhisgoodclothes。She，couldnothelpsmilingashetoldherofsomepopularactressof，whomsheremindedhim。Shewasnotsilly，andyetattentionof，thissorthaditsweight。
“YouwillbeinChicagosomelittletime，won’tyou？”heobserved，atoneturnofthenoweasyconversation。
“Idon’tknow，“saidCarrievaguely——aflashvisionofthe，possibilityofhernotsecuringemploymentrisinginhermind。
“Severalweeks，anyhow，“hesaid，lookingsteadilyintohereyes。
Therewasmuchmorepassingnowthanthemerewordsindicated。
Herecognisedtheindescribablethingthatmadeupfor，fascinationandbeautyinher。Sherealisedthatshewasof，interesttohimfromtheonestandpointwhichawomanboth，delightsinandfears。Hermannerwassimple，thoughforthevery，reasonthatshehadnotyetlearnedthemanylittleaffectations，withwhichwomenconcealtheirtruefeelings。Somethingsshe，didappearedbold。Aclevercompanion——hadsheeverhadone——
wouldhavewarnedhernevertolookamanintheeyesso，steadily。
“Whydoyouask？”shesaid。
“Well，I’mgoingtobethereseveralweeks。I’mgoingtostudy，stockatourplaceandgetnewsamples。Imightshowyou，’round。”
“Idon’tknowwhetheryoucanornot。ImeanIdon’tknow，whetherIcan。Ishallbelivingwithmysister，and——“
“Well，ifsheminds，we’llfixthat。”，Hetookouthispenciland，alittlepocketnote-bookasifitwereallsettled。”Whatis，youraddressthere？”
Shefumbledherpursewhichcontainedtheaddressslip。
Hereacheddowninhishippocketandtookoutafatpurse。It，wasfilledwithslipsofpaper，somemileagebooks，arollof，greenbacks。Itimpressedherdeeply。Suchapursehadneverbeen，carriedbyanyoneattentivetoher。Indeed，anexperienced，traveller，abriskmanoftheworld，hadnevercomewithinsuch，closerangebefore。Thepurse，theshinytanshoes，thesmart，newsuit，andtheairwithwhichhedidthings，builtupforher，adimworldoffortune，ofwhichhewasthecentre。Itdisposed，herpleasantlytowardallhemightdo。
Hetookoutaneatbusinesscard，onwhichwasengravedBartlett，Caryoe&Company，anddownintheleft-handcorner，Chas。H。
Drouet。
“That’sme，“hesaid，puttingthecardinherhandandtouching，hisname。”It’spronouncedDrew-eh。OurfamilywasFrench，on，myfather’sside。”
Shelookedatitwhileheputuphispurse。Thenhegotouta，letterfromabunchinhiscoatpocket。“ThisisthehouseI
travelfor，“hewenton，pointingtoapictureonit，“cornerof，StateandLake。”，Therewasprideinhisvoice。Hefeltthatit，wassomethingtobeconnectedwithsuchaplace，andhemadeher，feelthatway。
“Whatisyouraddress？”hebeganagain，fixinghispencilto，write。
Shelookedathishand。
“CarrieMeeber，“shesaidslowly。”Threehundredandfifty-four，WestVanBurenStreet，careS。C。Hanson。”
Hewroteitcarefullydownandgotoutthepurseagain。“You’ll，beathomeifIcomearoundMondaynight？”hesaid。
“Ithinkso，“sheanswered。
Howtrueitisthatwordsarebutthevagueshadowsofthe，volumeswemean。Littleaudiblelinks，theyare，chaining，togethergreatinaudiblefeelingsandpurposes。Herewerethese，two，bandyinglittlephrases，drawingpurses，lookingatcards，andbothunconsciousofhowinarticulatealltheirrealfeelings，were。Neitherwaswiseenoughtobesureoftheworkingofthe，mindoftheother。Hecouldnottellhowhisluringsucceeded。
Shecouldnotrealisethatshewasdrifting，untilhesecuredher，address。Nowshefeltthatshehadyieldedsomething——he，that，hehadgainedavictory。Alreadytheyfeltthattheywere，somehowassociated。Alreadyhetookcontrolindirectingthe，conversation。Hiswordswereeasy。Hermannerwasrelaxed。
TheywerenearingChicago。Signswereeverywherenumerous。
Trainsflashedbythem。Acrosswidestretchesofflat，open，prairietheycouldseelinesoftelegraphpolesstalkingacross，thefieldstowardthegreatcity。Farawaywereindicationsof，suburbantowns，somebigsmokestackstoweringhighintheair。
Frequentlythereweretwo-storyframehousesstandingoutinthe，openfields，withoutfenceortrees，loneoutpostsofthe，approachingarmyofhomes。
Tothechild，thegeniuswithimagination，orthewholly，untravelled，theapproachtoagreatcityforthefirsttimeisa，wonderfulthing。Particularlyifitbeevening——thatmystic，periodbetweentheglareandgloomoftheworldwhenlifeis，changingfromonesphereorconditiontoanother。Ah，the，promiseofthenight。Whatdoesitnotholdfortheweary！，What，oldillusionofhopeisnothereforeverrepeated！，Saysthesoul，ofthetoilertoitself，“Ishallsoonbefree。Ishallbein，thewaysandthehostsofthemerry。Thestreets，thelamps，the，lightedchambersetfordining，areforme。Thetheatre，the，halls，theparties，thewaysofrestandthepathsofsong——these，aremineinthenight。”，Thoughallhumanitybestillenclosedin，theshops，thethrillrunsabroad。Itisintheair。The，dullestfeelsomethingwhichtheymaynotalwaysexpressor，describe。Itistheliftingoftheburdenoftoil。
SisterCarriegazedoutofthewindow。Hercompanion，affected，byherwonder，socontagiousareallthings，feltanewsome，interestinthecityandpointedoutitsmarvels。
“ThisisNorthwestChicago，“saidDrouet。”ThisistheChicago，River，“andhepointedtoalittlemuddycreek，crowdedwiththe，hugemastedwanderersfromfar-offwatersnosingtheblack-posted，banks。Withapuff，aclang，andaclatterofrailsitwasgone。
“Chicagoisgettingtobeagreattown，“hewenton。”It’sa，wonder。You’llfindlotstoseehere。”
Shedidnothearthisverywell。Herheartwastroubledbya，kindofterror。Thefactthatshewasalone，awayfromhome，rushingintoagreatseaoflifeandendeavour，begantotell。
Shecouldnothelpbutfeelalittlechokedforbreath——alittle，sickasherheartbeatsofast。Shehalfclosedhereyesand，triedtothinkitwasnothing，thatColumbiaCitywasonlya，littlewayoff。
“Chicago！，Chicago！”calledthebrakeman，slammingopenthedoor。
Theywererushingintoamorecrowdedyard，alivewiththe，clatterandclangoflife。Shebegantogatherupherpoor，littlegripandclosedherhandfirmlyuponherpurse。Drouet，arose，kickedhislegstostraightenhistrousers，andseizedhis，cleanyellowgrip。
“Isupposeyourpeoplewillbeheretomeetyou？”hesaid。”Let，mecarryyourgrip。”
“Oh，no，“shesaid。”I’dratheryouwouldn’t。I’dratheryou，wouldn’tbewithmewhenImeetmysister。”
“Allright，“hesaidinallkindness。”I’llbenear，though，in，casesheisn’there，andtakeyououttheresafely。”
“You’resokind，“saidCarrie，feelingthegoodnessofsuch，attentioninherstrangesituation。
“Chicago！”calledthebrakeman，drawingthewordoutlong。They，wereunderagreatshadowytrainshed，wherethelampswere，alreadybeginningtoshineout，withpassengercarsallaboutand，thetrainmovingatasnail’space。Thepeopleinthecarwere，allupandcrowdingaboutthedoor。
“Well，hereweare，“saidDrouet，leadingthewaytothedoor。
“Good-bye，tillIseeyouMonday。”
“Good-bye，“sheanswered，takinghisprofferedhand。
“Remember，I’llbelookingtillyoufindyoursister。”
Shesmiledintohiseyes。
Theyfiledout，andheaffectedtotakenonoticeofher。A
lean-faced，rathercommonplacewomanrecognisedCarrieonthe，platformandhurriedforward。
“Why，SisterCarrie！”shebegan，andtherewasembraceof，welcome。
Carrierealisedthechangeofaffectionalatmosphereatonce。
Amidallthemaze，uproar，andnoveltyshefeltcoldreality，takingherbythehand。Noworldoflightandmerriment。No，roundofamusement。Hersistercarriedwithhermostofthe，grimnessofshiftandtoil。
“Why，howareallthefolksathome？”shebegan;“howisfather，andmother？”
Carrieanswered，butwaslookingaway。Downtheaisle，toward，thegateleadingintothewaiting-roomandthestreet，stood，Drouet。Hewaslookingback。Whenhesawthatshesawhimand，wassafewithhersisterheturnedtogo，sendingbacktheshadow，ofasmile。OnlyCarriesawit。Shefeltsomethinglosttoher，whenhemovedaway。Whenhedisappearedshefelthisabsence，thoroughly。Withhersistershewasmuchalone，alonefigurein，atossing，thoughtlesssea。
ChapterII
WHATPOVERTYTHREATENED——OFGRANITEANDBRASS
Minnie’sflat，astheone-floorresidentapartmentswerethen，beingcalled，wasinapartofWestVanBurenStreetinhabitedby，familiesoflabourersandclerks，menwhohadcome，andwere，stillcoming，withtherushofpopulationpouringinattherate，of50，000ayear。Itwasonthethirdfloor，thefrontwindows，lookingdownintothestreet，where，atnight，thelightsof，grocerystoreswereshiningandchildrenwereplaying。ToCarrie，thesoundofthelittlebellsuponthehorse-cars，asthey，tinkledinandoutofhearing，wasaspleasingasitwasnovel。
ShegazedintothelightedstreetwhenMinniebroughtherinto，thefrontroom，andwonderedatthesounds，themovement，the，murmurofthevastcitywhichstretchedformilesandmilesin，everydirection。
Mrs。Hanson，afterthefirstgreetingswereover，gaveCarriethe，babyandproceededtogetsupper。Herhusbandaskedafew，questionsandsatdowntoreadtheeveningpaper。Hewasa，silentman，Americanborn，ofaSwedefather，andnowemployedas，acleanerofrefrigeratorcarsatthestock-yards。Tohimthe，presenceorabsenceofhiswife’ssisterwasamatterof，indifference。Herpersonalappearancedidnotaffecthimoneway，ortheother。Hisoneobservationtothepointwasconcerning，thechancesofworkinChicago。
“It’sabigplace，“hesaid。”Youcangetinsomewhereinafew，days。Everybodydoes。”
Ithadbeentacitlyunderstoodbeforehandthatshewastoget，workandpayherboard。Hewasofaclean，savingdisposition，andhadalreadypaidanumberofmonthlyinstalmentsontwolots，faroutontheWestSide。Hisambitionwassomedaytobuilda，houseonthem。
IntheintervalwhichmarkedthepreparationofthemealCarrie，foundtimetostudytheflat。Shehadsomeslightgiftof，observationandthatsense，sorichineverywoman——intuition。
Shefeltthedragofaleanandnarrowlife。Thewallsofthe，roomswerediscordantlypapered。Thefloorswerecoveredwith，mattingandthehalllaidwithathinragcarpet。Onecouldsee，thatthefurniturewasofthatpoor，hurriedlypatchedtogether，qualitysoldbytheinstalmenthouses。
ShesatwithMinnie，inthekitchen，holdingthebabyuntilit，begantocry。Thenshewalkedandsangtoit，untilHanson，disturbedinhisreading，cameandtookit。Apleasantsideto，hisnaturecameouthere。Hewaspatient。Onecouldseethathe，wasverymuchwrappedupinhisoffspring。
“Now，now，“hesaid，walking。”There，there，“andtherewasa，certainSwedishaccentnoticeableinhisvoice。
“You’llwanttoseethecityfirst，won’tyou？”saidMinnie，when，theywereeating。”Well，we’llgooutSundayandseeLincoln，Park。
CarrienoticedthatHansonhadsaidnothingtothis。Heseemedto，bethinkingofsomethingelse。
“Well，“shesaid，“IthinkI’lllookaroundtomorrow。I’vegot，FridayandSaturday，anditwon’tbeanytrouble。Whichwayis，thebusinesspart？”
Minniebegantoexplain，butherhusbandtookthispartofthe，conversationtohimself。
“It’sthatway，“hesaid，pointingeast。”That’seast。”，Thenhe，wentoffintothelongestspeechhehadyetindulgedin，concerningthelayofChicago。”You’dbetterlookinthosebig，manufacturinghousesalongFranklinStreetandjusttheother，sideoftheriver，“heconcluded。”Lotsofgirlsworkthere。
Youcouldgethomeeasy，too。Itisn’tveryfar。”
Carrienoddedandaskedhersisterabouttheneighbourhood。The，lattertalkedinasubduedtone，tellingthelittlesheknew，aboutit，whileHansonconcernedhimselfwiththebaby。Finally，hejumpedupandhandedthechildtohiswife。
“I’vegottogetupearlyinthemorning，soI’llgotobed，“and，offhewent，disappearingintothedarklittlebedroomoffthe，hall，forthenight。
“Heworkswaydownatthestock-yards，“explainedMinnie，“so，he’sgottogetupathalf-pastfive。”
“Whattimedoyougetuptogetbreakfast？”askedCarrie。
“Atabouttwentyminutesoffive。”
Togethertheyfinishedthelabouroftheday，Carriewashingthe，disheswhileMinnieundressedthebabyandputittobed。
Minnie’smannerwasoneoftrainedindustry，andCarriecouldsee，thatitwasasteadyroundoftoilwithher。
ShebegantoseethatherrelationswithDrouetwouldhavetobe，abandoned。Hecouldnotcomehere。Shereadfromthemannerof，Hanson，inthesubduedairofMinnie，and，indeed，thewhole，atmosphereoftheflat，asettledoppositiontoanythingsavea，conservativeroundoftoil。IfHansonsateveryeveninginthe，frontroomandreadhispaper，ifhewenttobedatnine，and，Minniealittlelater，whatwouldtheyexpectofher？，Shesaw，thatshewouldfirstneedtogetworkandestablishherselfona，payingbasisbeforeshecouldthinkofhavingcompanyofany，sort。HerlittleflirtationwithDrouetseemednowan，extraordinarything。
“No，“shesaidtoherself，“hecan’tcomehere。”
SheaskedMinnieforinkandpaper，whichwereuponthemantelin，thedining-room，andwhenthelatterhadgonetobedatten，got，outDrouet’scardandwrotehim。
“Icannothaveyoucallonmehere。Youwillhavetowaituntil，youhearfrommeagain。Mysister’splaceissosmall。”
Shetroubledherselfoverwhatelsetoputintheletter。She，wantedtomakesomereferencetotheirrelationsuponthetrain，butwastootimid。Sheconcludedbythankinghimforhis，kindnessinacrudeway，thenpuzzledovertheformalityof，signinghername，andfinallydecideduponthesevere，windingup，witha“Verytruly，“whichshesubsequentlychangedto，“Sincerely。”，Shescaledandaddressedtheletter，andgoingin，thefrontroom，thealcoveofwhichcontainedherbed，drewthe，onesmallrocking-chairuptotheopenwindow，andsatlooking，outuponthenightandstreetsinsilentwonder。Finally，weariedbyherownreflections，shebegantogrowdullinher，chair，andfeelingtheneedofsleep，arrangedherclothingfor，thenightandwenttobed。
Whensheawokeateightthenextmorning，Hansonhadgone。Her，sisterwasbusyinthedining-room，whichwasalsothesitting-
room，sewing。Sheworked，afterdressing，toarrangealittle，breakfastforherself，andthenadvisedwithMinnieastowhich，waytolook。ThelatterhadchangedconsiderablysinceCarriehad，seenher。Shewasnowathin，thoughrugged，womanoftwenty-
seven，withideasoflifecolouredbyherhusband’s，andfast，hardeningintonarrowerconceptionsofpleasureanddutythanhad，everbeenhersinathoroughlycircumscribedyouth。Shehad，invitedCarrie，notbecauseshelongedforherpresence，but，becausethelatterwasdissatisfiedathome，andcouldprobably，getworkandpayherboardhere。Shewaspleasedtoseeherina，waybutreflectedherhusband’spointofviewinthematterof，work。Anythingwasgoodenoughsolongasitpaid——say，five，dollarsaweektobeginwith。Ashopgirlwasthedestiny，prefiguredforthenewcomer。Shewouldgetinoneofthegreat，shopsanddowellenoughuntil——well，untilsomethinghappened。
Neitherofthemknewexactlywhat。Theydidnotfigureon，promotion。Theydidnotexactlycountonmarriage。Thingswould，goon，though，inadimkindofwayuntilthebetterthingwould，eventuate，andCarriewouldberewardedforcomingandtoilingin，thecity。Itwasundersuchauspiciouscircumstancesthatshe，startedoutthismorningtolookforwork。
Beforefollowingherinherroundofseeking，letuslookatthe，sphereinwhichherfuturewastolie。In1889Chicagohadthe，peculiarqualificationsofgrowthwhichmadesuchadventuresome，pilgrimagesevenonthepartofyounggirlsplausible。Itsmany，andgrowingcommercialopportunitiesgaveitwidespreadfame，whichmadeofitagiantmagnet，drawingtoitself，fromall，quarters，thehopefulandthehopeless——thosewhohadtheir，fortuneyettomakeandthosewhosefortunesandaffairshad，reachedadisastrousclimaxelsewhere。Itwasacityofover，500，000，withtheambition，thedaring，theactivityofa，metropolisofamillion。Itsstreetsandhouseswerealready，scatteredoveranareaofseventy-fivesquaremiles。Its，populationwasnotsomuchthrivinguponestablishedcommerceas，upontheindustrieswhichpreparedforthearrivalofothers。The，soundofthehammerengagedupontheerectionofnewstructures，waseverywhereheard。Greatindustriesweremovingin。Thehuge，railroadcorporationswhichhadlongbeforerecognisedthe，prospectsoftheplacehadseizeduponvasttractsoflandfor，transferandshippingpurposes。Street-carlineshadbeen，extendedfaroutintotheopencountryinanticipationofrapid，growth。Thecityhadlaidmilesandmilesofstreetsandsewers，throughregionswhere，perhaps，onesolitaryhousestoodout，alone——apioneerofthepopulouswaystobe。Therewereregions，opentothesweepingwindsandrain，whichwereyetlighted，throughoutthenightwithlong，blinkinglinesofgas-lamps，flutteringinthewind。Narrowboardwalksextendedout，passing，hereahouse，andthereastore，atfarintervals，eventually，endingontheopenprairie。
Inthecentralportionwasthevastwholesaleandshopping，district，towhichtheuninformedseekerforworkusually，drifted。ItwasacharacteristicofChicagothen，andonenot，generallysharedbyothercities，thatindividualfirmsofany，pretensionoccupiedindividualbuildings。Thepresenceofample，groundmadethispossible。Itgaveanimposingappearanceto，mostofthewholesalehouses，whoseofficeswereupontheground，floorandinplainviewofthestreet。Thelargeplatesof，windowglass，nowsocommon，werethenrapidlycomingintouse，andgavetothegroundfloorofficesadistinguishedand，prosperouslook。Thecasualwanderercouldseeashepasseda，polishedarrayofofficefixtures，muchfrostedglass，clerks，hardatwork，andgenteelbusinessmenin“nobby“suitsandclean，linenloungingaboutorsittingingroups。Polishedbrassor，nickelsignsatthesquarestoneentrancesannouncedthefirmand，thenatureofthebusinessinratherneatandreservedterms。
Theentiremetropolitancentrepossessedahighandmightyair，calculatedtooveraweandabashthecommonapplicant，andtomake，thegulfbetweenpovertyandsuccessseembothwideanddeep。
IntothisimportantcommercialregionthetimidCarriewent。She，walkedeastalongVanBurenStreetthrougharegionoflessening，importance，untilitdeterioratedintoamassofshantiesand，coal-yards，andfinallyvergedupontheriver。Shewalked，bravelyforward，ledbyanhonestdesiretofindemploymentand，delayedateverystepbytheinterestoftheunfoldingscene，and，asenseofhelplessnessamidsomuchevidenceofpowerandforce，whichshedidnotunderstand。Thesevastbuildings，whatwere，they？，Thesestrangeenergiesandhugeinterests，forwhat，purposesweretheythere？，Shecouldhaveunderstoodthemeaning，ofalittlestone-cutter’syardatColumbiaCity，carvinglittle，piecesofmarbleforindividualuse，butwhentheyardsofsome，hugestonecorporationcameintoview，filledwithspurtracks，andflatcars，transpiercedbydocksfromtheriverandtraversed，overheadbyimmensetrundlingcranesofwoodandsteel，itlost，allsignificanceinherlittleworld。
Itwassowiththevastrailroadyards，withthecrowdedarrayof，vesselsshesawattheriver，andthehugefactoriesoverthe，way，liningthewater’sedge。Throughtheopenwindowsshecould，seethefiguresofmenandwomeninworkingaprons，movingbusily，about。Thegreatstreetswerewall-linedmysteriestoher;the，vastoffices，strangemazeswhichconcernedfar-offindividuals，ofimportance。Shecouldonlythinkofpeopleconnectedwith，themascountingmoney，dressingmagnificently，andridingin，carriages。Whattheydealtin，howtheylaboured，towhatendit，allcame，shehadonlythevaguestconception。Itwasall，wonderful，allvast，allfarremoved，andshesankinspirit，inwardlyandflutteredfeeblyattheheartasshethoughtof，enteringanyoneofthesemightyconcernsandaskingfor，somethingtodo——somethingthatshecoulddo——anything。
ChapterIII
WEEQUESTIONOFFORTUNE——FOUR-FIFTYAWEEK
Onceacrosstheriverandintothewholesaledistrict，she，glancedaboutherforsomelikelydooratwhichtoapply。Asshe，contemplatedthewidewindowsandimposingsigns，shebecame，consciousofbeinggazeduponandunderstoodforwhatshewas——a，wage-seeker。Shehadneverdonethisthingbefore，andlacked，courage。Toavoidacertainindefinableshameshefeltatbeing，caughtspyingaboutforaposition，shequickenedherstepsand，assumedanairofindifferencesupposedlycommontooneuponan，errand。Inthiswayshepassedmanymanufacturingandwholesale，houseswithoutonceglancingin。Atlast，afterseveralblocks，ofwalking，shefeltthatthiswouldnotdo，andbegantolook，aboutagain，thoughwithoutrelaxingherpace。Alittlewayon，shesawagreatdoorwhich，forsomereason，attractedher，attention。Itwasornamentedbyasmallbrasssign，andseemed，tobetheentrancetoavasthiveofsixorsevenfloors。
“Perhaps，“shethought，“theymaywantsomeone，“andcrossed，overtoenter。Whenshecamewithinascoreoffeetofthe，desiredgoal，shesawthroughthewindowayoungmaninagrey，checkedsuit。Thathehadanythingtodowiththeconcern，she，couldnottell，butbecausehehappenedtobelookinginher，directionherweakeningheartmisgaveherandshehurriedby，too，overcomewithshametoenter。Overthewaystoodagreatsix-
storystructure，labelledStormandKing，whichsheviewedwith，risinghope。Itwasawholesaledrygoodsconcernandemployed，women。Shecouldseethemmovingaboutnowandthenuponthe，upperfloors。Thisplaceshedecidedtoenter，nomatterwhat。
Shecrossedoverandwalkeddirectlytowardtheentrance。Asshe，didso，twomencameoutandpausedinthedoor。Atelegraph，messengerinbluedashedpastherandupthefewstepsthatled，totheentranceanddisappeared。Severalpedestriansoutofthe，hurryingthrongwhichfilledthesidewalkspassedaboutheras，shepaused，hesitating。Shelookedhelplesslyaround，andthen，seeingherselfobserved，retreated。Itwastoodifficultatask。
Shecouldnotgopastthem。
Sosevereadefeattoldsadlyuponhernerves。Herfeetcarried，hermechanicallyforward，everyfootofherprogressbeinga，satisfactoryportionofaflightwhichshegladlymade。Block，afterblockpassedby。Uponstreetlampsatthevariouscorners，shereadnamessuchasMadison，Monroe，LaSalle，Clark，Dearborn，State，andstillshewent，herfeetbeginningtotire，uponthebroadstoneflagging。Shewaspleasedinpartthatthe，streetswerebrightandclean。Themorningsun，shiningdown，withsteadilyincreasingwarmth，madetheshadysideofthe，streetspleasantlycool。Shelookedattheblueskyoverheadwith，morerealisationofitscharmthanhadevercometoherbefore。
Hercowardicebegantotroubleherinaway。Sheturnedback，resolvingtohuntupStormandKingandenter。Ontheway，she，encounteredagreatwholesaleshoecompany，throughthebroad，platewindowsofwhichshesawanenclosedexecutivedepartment，hiddenbyfrostedglass。Withoutthisenclosure，butjustwithin，thestreetentrance，satagrey-hairedgentlemanatasmall，table，withalargeopenledgerbeforehim。Shewalkedbythis，institutionseveraltimeshesitating，but，findingherself，unobserved，falteredpastthescreendoorandstoodhumble，waiting。
“Well，younglady，“observedtheoldgentleman，lookingather，somewhatkindly，“whatisityouwish？”
“Iam，thatis，doyou——Imean，doyouneedanyhelp？”she，stammered。
“Notjustatpresent，“heansweredsmiling。”Notjustat，present。Comeinsometimenextweek。Occasionallyweneedsome，one。”
Shereceivedtheanswerinsilenceandbackedawkwardlyout。The，pleasantnatureofherreceptionratherastonishedher。Shehad，expectedthatitwouldbemoredifficult，thatsomethingcoldand，harshwouldbesaid——sheknewnotwhat。Thatshehadnotbeen，puttoshameandmadetofeelherunfortunateposition，seemed，remarkable。
Somewhatencouraged，sheventuredintoanotherlargestructure。
Itwasaclothingcompany，andmorepeoplewereinevidence——
well-dressedmenoffortyandmore，surroundedbybrassrailings。
Anofficeboyapproachedher。
“Whoisityouwishtosee？”heasked。
“Iwanttoseethemanager，“shesaid。
Heranawayandspoketooneofagroupofthreemenwhowere，conferringtogether。Oneofthesecametowardsher。
“Well？”hesaidcoldly。Thegreetingdroveallcouragefromher，atonce。
“Doyouneedanyhelp？”shestammered。
“No，“herepliedabruptly，andturneduponhisheel。
Shewentfoolishlyout，theofficeboydeferentiallyswingingthe，doorforher，andgladlysankintotheobscuringcrowd。Itwasa，severesetbacktoherrecentlypleasedmentalstate。
Nowshewalkedquiteaimlesslyforatime，turninghereand，there，seeingonegreatcompanyafteranother，butfindingno，couragetoprosecutehersingleinquiry。Highnooncame，andwith，ithunger。Shehuntedoutanunassumingrestaurantandentered，butwasdisturbedtofindthatthepriceswereexorbitantforthe，sizeofherpurse。Abowlofsoupwasallthatshecouldafford，and，withthisquicklyeaten，shewentoutagain。Itrestored，herstrengthsomewhatandmadehermoderatelyboldtopursuethe，search。
Inwalkingafewblockstofixuponsomeprobableplace，she，againencounteredthefirmofStormandKing，andthistime，managedtogetin。Somegentlemenwereconferringcloseathand，buttooknonoticeofher。Shewasleftstanding，gazing，nervouslyuponthefloor。Whenthelimitofherdistresshad，beennearlyreached，shewasbeckonedtobyamanatoneofthe，manydeskswithinthenear-byrailing。
“Whoisityouwishtosee？”herequired。
“Why，anyone，ifyouplease，“sheanswered。”Iamlookingfor，somethingtodo。”
“Oh，youwanttoseeMr。McManus，“hereturned。”Sitdown，“and，hepointedtoachairagainsttheneighbouringwall。Hewenton，leisurelywriting，untilafteratimeashort，stoutgentleman，cameinfromthestreet。
“Mr。McManus，“calledthemanatthedesk，“thisyoungwoman，wantstoseeyou。”
TheshortgentlemanturnedabouttowardsCarrie，andshearose，andcameforward。
“WhatcanIdoforyou，miss？”heinquired，surveyingher，curiously。
“IwanttoknowifIcangetaposition，“sheinquired。
“Aswhat？”heasked。
“Notasanythinginparticular，“shefaltered。
“Haveyoueverhadanyexperienceinthewholesaledrygoods，business？”hequestioned。
“No，sir，“shereplied。
“Areyouastenographerortypewriter？”
“No，sir。”
“Well，wehaven’tanythinghere，“hesaid。”Weemployonly，experiencedhelp。”
Shebegantostepbackwardtowardthedoor，whensomethingabout，herplaintivefaceattractedhim。
“Haveyoueverworkedatanythingbefore？”heinquired。
“No，sir，“shesaid。
“Well，now，it’shardlypossiblethatyouwouldgetanythingto，doinawholesalehouseofthiskind。Haveyoutriedthe，departmentstores？”
Sheacknowledgedthatshehadnot。
“Well，ifIwereyou，“hesaid，lookingatherrathergenially，“Iwouldtrythedepartmentstores。Theyoftenneedyoungwomen，asclerks。”
“Thankyou，“shesaid，herwholenaturerelievedbythissparkof，friendlyinterest。
“Yes，“hesaid，asshemovedtowardthedoor，“youtrythe，departmentstores，“andoffhewent。
Atthattimethedepartmentstorewasinitsearliestformof，successfuloperation，andtherewerenotmany。Thefirstthreein，theUnitedStates，establishedabout1884，wereinChicago。
Carriewasfamiliarwiththenamesofseveralthroughthe，advertisementsinthe“DailyNews，“andnowproceededtoseek，them。ThewordsofMr。McManushadsomehowmanagedtorestore，hercourage，whichhadfallenlow，andshedaredtohopethat，thisnewlinewouldofferhersomething。Sometimeshespentin，wanderingupanddown，thinkingtoencounterthebuildingsby，chance，soreadilyisthemind，bentuponprosecutingahardbut，needfulerrand，easedbythatself-deceptionwhichthesemblance，ofsearch，withoutthereality，gives。Atlastsheinquiredofa，policeofficer，andwasdirectedtoproceed“twoblocksup，“
whereshewouldfind“TheFair。”
Thenatureofthesevastretailcombinations，shouldtheyever，permanentlydisappear，willformaninterestingchapterinthe，commercialhistoryofournation。Suchafloweringoutofa，modesttradeprincipletheworldhadneverwitnesseduptothat，time。Theywerealongthelineofthemosteffectiveretail，organisation，withhundredsofstorescoordinatedintooneand，laidoutuponthemostimposingandeconomicbasis。Theywere，handsome，bustling，successfulaffairs，withahostofclerksand，aswarmofpatrons。Carriepassedalongthebusyaisles，much，affectedbytheremarkabledisplaysoftrinkets，dressgoods，stationery，andjewelry。Eachseparatecounterwasashowplace，ofdazzlinginterestandattraction。Shecouldnothelpfeeling，theclaimofeachtrinketandvaluableuponherpersonally，and，yetshedidnotstop。Therewasnothingtherewhichshecould，nothaveused——nothingwhichshedidnotlongtoown。Thedainty，slippersandstockings，thedelicatelyfrilledskirtsand，petticoats，thelaces，ribbons，hair-combs，purses，alltouched，herwithindividualdesire，andshefeltkeenlythefactthatnot，anyofthesethingswereintherangeofherpurchase。Shewasa，work-seeker，anoutcastwithoutemployment，onewhomtheaverage，employeecouldtellataglancewaspoorandinneedofa，situation。
Itmustnotbethoughtthatanyonecouldhavemistakenherfora，nervous，sensitive，high-strungnature，castundulyuponacold，calculating，andunpoeticworld。Suchcertainlyshewasnot。But，womenarepeculiarlysensitivetotheiradornment。
NotonlydidCarriefeelthedragofdesireforallwhichwasnew，andpleasinginapparelforwomen，butshenoticedtoo，witha，touchattheheart，thefineladieswhoelbowedandignoredher，brushingpastinutterdisregardofherpresence，themselves，eagerlyenlistedinthematerialswhichthestorecontained。
Carriewasnotfamiliarwiththeappearanceofhermorefortunate，sistersofthecity。Neitherhadshebeforeknownthenatureand，appearanceoftheshopgirlswithwhomshenowcomparedpoorly。
Theywereprettyinthemain，someevenhandsome，withanairof，independenceandindifferencewhichadded，inthecaseofthe，morefavoured，acertainpiquancy。Theirclotheswereneat，in，manyinstancesfine，andwhereversheencounteredtheeyeofone，itwasonlytorecogniseinitakeenanalysisofherown，position——herindividualshortcomingsofdressandthatshadowof，mannerwhichshethoughtmusthangaboutherandmakeclearto，allwhoandwhatshewas。Aflameofenvylightedinherheart。
Sherealisedinadimwayhowmuchthecityheld——wealth，fashion，ease——everyadornmentforwomen，andshelongedfor，dressandbeautywithawholeheart。
Onthesecondfloorwerethemanagerialoffices，towhich，after，someinquiry，shewasnowdirected。Thereshefoundothergirls，aheadofher，applicantslikeherself，butwithmoreofthat，self-satisfiedandindependentairwhichexperienceofthecity，lends;girlswhoscrutinisedherinapainfulmanner。Aftera，waitofperhapsthree-quartersofanhour，shewascalledin，turn。
“Now，“saidasharp，quick-manneredJew，whowassittingata，roll-topdesknearthewindow，“haveyoueverworkedinanyother，store？”
“No，sir，“saidCarrie。
“Oh，youhaven’t，“hesaid，eyeingherkeenly。
“No，sir，“shereplied。
“Well，wepreferyoungwomenjustnowwithsomeexperience。I
guesswecan’tuseyou。”
Carriestoodwaitingamoment，hardlycertainwhetherthe，interviewhadterminated。
“Don’twait！”heexclaimed。”Rememberweareverybusyhere。”
Carriebegantomovequicklytothedoor。
“Holdon，“hesaid，callingherback。”Givemeyournameand，address。Wewantgirlsoccasionally。”
Whenshehadgottensafelyintothestreet，shecouldscarcely，restrainthetears。Itwasnotsomuchtheparticularrebuff，whichshehadjustexperienced，butthewholeabashingtrendof，theday。Shewastiredandnervous。Sheabandonedthethought，ofappealingtotheotherdepartmentstoresandnowwanderedon，feelingacertainsafetyandreliefinminglingwiththecrowd。
InherindifferentwanderingsheturnedintoJacksonStreet，not，farfromtheriver，andwaskeepingherwayalongthesouthside，ofthatimposingthoroughfare，whenapieceofwrappingpaper，writtenonwithmarkinginkandtackeduponthedoor，attracted，herattention。Itread，“Girlswanted——wrappers&stitchers。”
Shehesitatedamoment，thenentered。
ThefirmofSpeigelheim&Co。makersofboys’caps，occupiedone，floorofthebuilding，fiftyfeetinwidthandsomeeightyfeet，indepth。Itwasaplaceratherdingilylighted，thedarkest，portionshavingincandescentlights，filledwithmachinesand，workbenches。Atthelatterlabouredquiteacompanyofgirls，andsomemen。Theformerweredrabby-lookingcreatures，stained，infacewithoilanddust，cladinthin，shapeless，cotton，dressesandshodwithmoreorlesswornshoes。Manyofthemhad，theirsleevesrolledup，revealingbarearms，andinsomecases，owingtotheheat，theirdresseswereopenattheneck。They，wereafairtypeofnearlythelowestorderofshop-girls——
careless，slouchy，andmoreorlesspalefromconfinement。They，werenottimid，however;wererichincuriosity，andstrongin，daringandslang。
Carrielookedabouther，verymuchdisturbedandquitesurethat，shedidnotwanttoworkhere。Asidefrommakingher，uncomfortablebysidelongglances，noonepaidhertheleast，attention。Shewaiteduntilthewholedepartmentwasawareof，herpresence。Thensomewordwassentaround，andaforeman，in，anapronandshirtsleeves，thelatterrolleduptohis，shoulders，approached。
“Doyouwanttoseeme？”heasked。
“Doyouneedanyhelp？”saidCarrie，alreadylearningdirectness，ofaddress。
“Doyouknowhowtostitchcaps？”hereturned。
“No，sir，“shereplied。
“Haveyoueverhadanyexperienceatthiskindofwork？”he，inquired。
Sheansweredthatshehadnot。
“Well，“saidtheforeman，scratchinghisearmeditatively，“wedo，needastitcher。Welikeexperiencedhelp，though。We’vehardly，gottimetobreakpeoplein。”，Hepausedandlookedawayoutof，thewindow。”Wemight，though，putyouatfinishing，“he，concludedreflectively。
“Howmuchdoyoupayaweek？”venturedCarrie，emboldenedbya，certainsoftnessintheman’smannerandhissimplicityof，address。
“Threeandahalf，“heanswered。
“Oh，“shewasabouttoexclaim，butcheckedherselfandallowed，herthoughtstodiewithoutexpression。
“We’renotexactlyinneedofanybody，“hewentonvaguely，lookingheroverasonewouldapackage。”YoucancomeonMonday，morning，though，“headded，“andI’llputyoutowork。”
“Thankyou，“saidCarrieweakly。
“Ifyoucome，bringanapron，“headded。
Hewalkedawayandleftherstandingbytheelevator，neverso，muchasinquiringhername。
Whiletheappearanceoftheshopandtheannouncementofthe，pricepaidperweekoperatedverymuchasablowtoCarrie’s，fancy，thefactthatworkofanykindwasofferedaftersorudea，roundofexperiencewasgratifying。Shecouldnotbeginto，believethatshewouldtaketheplace，modestasheraspirations，were。Shehadbeenusedtobetterthanthat。Hermereexperience，andthefreeout-of-doorlifeofthecountrycausedhernatureto，revoltatsuchconfinement。Dirthadneverbeenhershare。Her，sister’sflatwasclean。Thisplacewasgrimyandlow，thegirls，werecarelessandhardened。Theymustbebad-mindedandhearted，sheimagined。Still，aplacehadbeenofferedher。Surely，Chicagowasnotsobadifshecouldfindoneplaceinoneday。
Shemightfindanotherandbetterlater。
Hersubsequentexperienceswerenotofareassuringnature，however。Fromallthemorepleasingorimposingplacesshewas，turnedawayabruptlywiththemostchillingformality。Inothers，wheresheappliedonlytheexperiencedwererequired。Shemet，withpainfulrebuffs，themosttryingofwhichhadbeenina，manufacturingcloakhouse，whereshehadgonetothefourthfloor，toinquire。
“No，no，“saidtheforeman，arough，heavilybuiltindividual，wholookedafteramiserablylightedworkshop，“wedon’twantany，one。Don’tcomehere。”
Withthewaneoftheafternoonwentherhopes，hercourage，and，herstrength。Shehadbeenastonishinglypersistent。Soearnest，aneffortwaswelldeservingofabetterreward。Oneveryhand，toherfatiguedsenses，thegreatbusinessportiongrewlarger，harder，morestolidinitsindifference。Itseemedasifitwas，allclosedtoher，thatthestrugglewastoofierceforherto，hopetodoanythingatall。Menandwomenhurriedbyinlong，shiftinglines。Shefelttheflowofthetideofeffortand，interest——feltherownhelplessnesswithoutquiterealisingthe，wisponthetidethatshewas。Shecastaboutvainlyforsome，possibleplacetoapply，butfoundnodoorwhichshehadthe，couragetoenter。Itwouldbethesamethingallover。Theold，humiliationofherplea，rewardedbycurtdenial。Sickatheart，andinbody，sheturnedtothewest，thedirectionofMinnie’s，flat，whichshehadnowfixedinmind，andbeganthatwearisome，baffledretreatwhichtheseekerforemploymentatnightfalltoo，oftenmakes。InpassingthroughFifthAvenue，southtowardsVan，BurenStreet，wheresheintendedtotakeacar，shepassedthe，doorofalargewholesaleshoehouse，throughtheplate-glass，windowsofwhichshecouldseeamiddle-agedgentlemansittingat，asmalldesk。Oneofthoseforlornimpulseswhichoftengrowout，ofafixedsenseofdefeat，thelastsproutingofabaffledand，uprootedgrowthofideas，seizeduponher。Shewalked，deliberatelythroughthedooranduptothegentleman，wholooked，atherwearyfacewithpartiallyawakenedinterest。
“Whatisit？”hesaid。
“Canyougivemesomethingtodo？”saidCarrie。
“Now，Ireallydon’tknow，“hesaidkindly。”Whatkindofwork，isityouwant——you’renotatypewriter，areyou？”
“Oh，no，“answeredCarrie。
“Well，weonlyemploybook-keepersandtypewritershere。You，mightgoaroundtothesideandinquireupstairs。Theydidwant，somehelpupstairsafewdaysago。AskforMr。Brown。”
Shehastenedaroundtothesideentranceandwastakenupbythe，elevatortothefourthfloor。
“CallMr。Brown，Willie，“saidtheelevatormantoaboynearby。
Williewentoffandpresentlyreturnedwiththeinformationthat，Mr。Brownsaidsheshouldsitdownandthathewouldbearoundin，alittlewhile。
Itwasaportionofthestockroomwhichgavenoideaofthe，generalcharacteroftheplace，andCarriecouldformnoopinion，ofthenatureofthework。
“Soyouwantsomethingtodo，“saidMr。Brown，afterheinquired，concerningthenatureofhererrand。”Haveyoueverbeen，employedinashoefactorybefore？”
“No，sir，“saidCarrie。
“Whatisyourname？”heinquired，andbeinginformed，“Well，I
don’tknowasIhaveanythingforyou。Wouldyouworkforfour，andahalfaweek？”
Carriewastoowornbydefeatnottofeelthatitwas，considerable。Shehadnotexpectedthathewouldofferherless，thansix。Sheacquiesced，however，andhetookhernameand，address。
“Well，“hesaid，finally，“youreporthereateighto’clock，Mondaymorning。IthinkIcanfindsomethingforyoutodo。”
Heleftherrevivedbythepossibilities，surethatshehadfound，somethingatlast。Instantlythebloodcreptwarmlyoverher，body。Hernervoustensionrelaxed。Shewalkedoutintothebusy，streetanddiscoveredanewatmosphere。Behold，thethrongwas，movingwithalightsomestep。Shenoticedthatmenandwomen，weresmiling。Scrapsofconversationandnotesoflaughter，floatedtoher。Theairwaslight。Peoplewerealreadypouring，outofthebuildings，theirlabourendedfortheday。She，noticedthattheywerepleased，andthoughtsofhersister’shome，andthemealthatwouldbeawaitingherquickenedhersteps。She，hurriedon，tiredperhaps，butnolongerwearyoffoot。What，wouldnotMinniesay！，Ah，thelongwinterinChicago——the，lights，thecrowd，theamusement！，Thiswasagreat，pleasing，metropolisafterall。Hernewfirmwasagoodlyinstitution。
Itswindowswereofhugeplateglass。Shecouldprobablydowell，there。ThoughtsofDrouetreturned——ofthethingshehadtold，her。Shenowfeltthatlifewasbetter，thatitwaslivelier，sprightlier。Sheboardedacarinthebestofspirits，feeling，herbloodstillflowingpleasantly。ShewouldliveinChicago，hermindkeptsayingtoitself。Shewouldhaveabettertime，thanshehadeverhadbefore——shewouldbehappy。
ChapterIV
THESPENDINGSOFFANCY——FACTSANSWERWITHSNEERS
ForthenexttwodaysCarrieindulgedinthemosthigh-flown，speculations。
Herfancyplungedrecklesslyintoprivilegesandamusementswhich，wouldhavebeenmuchmorebecominghadshebeencradledachild，offortune。Withreadywillandquickmentalselectionshe，scatteredhermeagrefour-fiftyperweekwithaswiftand，gracefulhand。Indeed，asshesatinherrocking-chairthese，severaleveningsbeforegoingtobedandlookedoutuponthe，pleasantlylightedstreet，thismoneyclearedforitsprospective，possessorthewaytoeveryjoyandeverybaublewhichtheheart，ofwomanmaydesire。”Iwillhaveafinetime，“shethought。
HersisterMinnieknewnothingoftheseratherwildcerebrations，thoughtheyexhaustedthemarketsofdelight。Shewastoobusy，scrubbingthekitchenwoodworkandcalculatingthepurchasing，powerofeightycentsforSunday’sdinner。WhenCarriehad，returnedhome，flushedwithherfirstsuccessandready，forall，herweariness，todiscussthenowinterestingeventswhichledup，toherachievement，theformerhadmerelysmiledapprovinglyand，inquiredwhethershewouldhavetospendanyofitforcarfare。
Thisconsiderationhadnotenteredinbefore，anditdidnotnow，forlongaffecttheglowofCarrie’senthusiasm。Disposedasshe，thenwastocalculateuponthatvaguebasiswhichallowsthe，subtractionofonesumfromanotherwithoutanyperceptible，diminution，shewashappy。
WhenHansoncamehomeatseveno’clock，hewasinclinedtobea，littlecrusty——hisusualdemeanourbeforesupper。Thisnever，showedsomuchinanythinghesaidasinacertainsolemnityof，countenanceandthesilentmannerinwhichhesloppedabout。He，hadapairofyellowcarpetslipperswhichheenjoyedwearing，andthesehewouldimmediatelysubstituteforhissolidpairof，shoes。This，andwashinghisfacewiththeaidofcommonwashing，soapuntilitglowedashinyred，constitutedhisonly，preparationforhiseveningmeal。Hewouldthengethisevening，paperandreadinsilence。
Forayoungman，thiswasratheramorbidturnofcharacter，and，soaffectedCarrie。Indeed，itaffectedtheentireatmosphereof，theflat，assuchthingsareinclinedtodo，andgavetohis，wife’sminditssubduedandtactfulturn，anxioustoavoid，taciturnreplies。UndertheinfluenceofCarrie’sannouncementhe，brightenedupsomewhat。
“Youdidn’tloseanytime，didyou？”heremarked，smilinga，little。
“No，“returnedCarriewithatouchofpride。
Heaskedheroneortwomorequestionsandthenturnedtoplay，withthebaby，leavingthesubjectuntilitwasbroughtupagain，byMinnieatthetable。
Carrie，however，wasnottobereducedtothecommonlevelof，observationwhichprevailedintheflat。
“Itseemstobesuchalargecompany，“shesaid，atoneplace。
“Greatbigplate-glasswindowsandlotsofclerks。ThemanIsaw，saidtheyhiredeversomanypeople。”
“It’snotveryhardtogetworknow，“putinHanson，“ifyoulook，right。”
Minnie，underthewarminginfluenceofCarrie’sgoodspiritsand，herhusband’ssomewhatconversationalmood，begantotellCarrie，ofsomeofthewell-knownthingstosee——thingstheenjoymentof，whichcostnothing。
“You’dliketoseeMichiganAvenue。Therearesuchfinehouses。
Itissuchafinestreet。”
“WhereisH。R。Jacob’s？”interruptedCarrie，mentioningoneof，thetheatresdevotedtomelodramawhichwentbythatnameatthe，time。
“Oh，it’snotveryfarfromhere，“answeredMinnie。“It’sin，HalsteadStreet，rightuphere。”
“HowI’dliketogothere。IcrossedHalsteadStreetto-day，didn’tI？”
Atthistherewasaslighthaltinthenaturalreply。Thoughts，areastrangelypermeatingfactor。Athersuggestionofgoingto，thetheatre，theunspokenshadeofdisapprovaltothedoingof，thosethingswhichinvolvedtheexpenditureofmoney——shadesof，feelingwhicharoseinthemindofHansonandtheninMinnie——
slightlyaffectedtheatmosphereofthetable。Minnieanswered，“yes，“butCarriecouldfeelthatgoingtothetheatrewaspoorly，advocatedhere。Thesubjectwasputoffforalittlewhileuntil，Hanson，throughwithhismeal，tookhispaperandwentintothe，frontroom。
Whentheywerealone，thetwosistersbeganasomewhatfreer，conversation，Carrieinterruptingittohumalittle，asthey，workedatthedishes。
“IshouldliketowalkupandseeHalsteadStreet，ifitisn’t，toofar，“saidCarrie，afteratime。”Whydon’twegotothe，theatreto-night？”
“Oh，Idon’tthinkSvenwouldwanttogoto-night，“returned，Minnie。”Hehastogetupsoearly。”
“Hewouldn’tmind——he’denjoyit，“saidCarrie。
“No，hedoesn’tgoveryoften，“returnedMinnie。
“Well，I’dliketogo，“rejoinedCarrie。”Let’syouandmego。”
Minnieponderedawhile，notuponwhethershecouldorwouldgo——
forthatpointwasalreadynegativelysettledwithher——butupon，somemeansofdivertingthethoughtsofhersistertosomeother，topic。
“We’llgosomeothertime，“shesaidatlast，findingnoready，meansofescape。
Carriesensedtherootoftheoppositionatonce。
“Ihavesomemoney，“shesaid。”Yougowithme。”Minnieshook，herhead。
“Hecouldgoalong，“saidCarrie。
“No，“returnedMinniesoftly，andrattlingthedishestodrown，theconversation。”Hewouldn’t。”
IthadbeenseveralyearssinceMinniehadseenCarrie，andin，thattimethelatter’scharacterhaddevelopedafewshades。
Naturallytimidinallthingsthatrelatedtoherown，advancement，andespeciallysowhenwithoutpowerorresource，hercravingforpleasurewassostrongthatitwastheonestay，ofhernature。Shewouldspeakforthatwhensilentonallelse。
“Askhim，“shepleadedsoftly。
