第12章

“What’stheuse？”hethought，lookingoutupontheslopandsnow。 “Icouldn’tbuyintoit。It’sathousandtoonenothingcomesof，it。IguessI’llgetoff，“andoffhegot。Inthelobbyhetook，aseatandwaitedagain，wonderingwhathecoulddo。 Whilehewasidlypondering，satisfiedtobeinside，awell- dressedmanpassedupthelobby，stopped，lookedsharply，asif，notsureofhismemory，andthenapproached。Hurstwood，recognisedCargill，theownerofthelargestablesinChicagoof，thesamename，whomhehadlastseenatAveryHall，thenight，Carrieappearedthere。Theremembranceofhowthisindividual，broughtuphiswifetoshakehandsonthatoccasionwasalsoon，theinstantclear。 Hurstwoodwasgreatlyabashed。Hiseyesexpressedthedifficulty，hefelt。 “Why，it’sHurstwood！”saidCargill，rememberingnow，andsorry，thathehadnotrecognisedhimquicklyenoughinthebeginningto，haveavoidedthismeeting。 “Yes，“saidHurstwood。”Howareyou？” “Verywell，“saidCargill，troubledforsomethingtotalkabout。 “Stoppinghere？” “No，“saidHurstwood，“justkeepinganappointment。” “IknewyouhadleftChicago。Iwaswonderingwhathadbecomeof，you。” “Oh，I’mherenow，“answeredHurstwood，anxioustogetaway。 “Doingwell，Isuppose？” “Excellent。” “Gladtohearit。” Theylookedatoneanother，ratherembarrassed。 “Well，Ihaveanengagementwithafriendupstairs。I’llleave，you。Solong。” Hurstwoodnoddedhishead。 “Damnitall，“hemurmured，turningtowardthedoor。”Iknew，thatwouldhappen。” Hewalkedseveralblocksupthestreet。Hiswatchonly，registered1。30。Hetriedtothinkofsomeplacetogoor，somethingtodo。Thedaywassobadhewantedonlytobeinside。 Finallyhisfeetbegantofeelwetandcold，andheboardeda，car。ThistookhimtoFifty-ninthStreet，whichwasasgoodas，anywhereelse。Landedhere，heturnedtowalkbackalongSeventh，Avenue，buttheslushwastoomuch。Themiseryofloungingabout，withnowheretogobecameintolerable。Hefeltasifhewere，catchingcold。 Stoppingatacorner，hewaitedforacarsouthbound。Thiswas，nodaytobeout;hewouldgohome。 Carriewassurprisedtoseehimataquarterofthree。 “It’samiserabledayout，“wasallhesaid。Thenhetookoff，hiscoatandchangedhisshoes。 Thatnighthefeltacoldcomingonandtookquinine。Hewas，feverishuntilmorning，andsataboutthenextdaywhileCarrie，waitedonhim。Hewasahelplesscreatureinsickness，notvery，handsomeinadull-colouredbathgownandhishairuncombed。He，lookedhaggardabouttheeyesandquiteold。Carrienoticed，this，anditdidnotappealtoher。Shewantedtobegood- naturedandsympathetic，butsomethingaboutthemanheldher，aloof。 Towardeveninghelookedsobadlyintheweaklightthatshe，suggestedhegotobed。 “You’dbettersleepalone，“shesaid，“you’llfeelbetter。I’ll，openyourbedforyounow。” “Allright，“hesaid。 Asshedidallthesethings，shewasinamostdespondentstate。 “Whatalife！Whatalife！”washeronethought。 Onceduringtheday，whenhesatneartheradiator，hunchedup，andreading，shepassedthrough，andseeinghim，wrinkledher，brows。Inthefrontroom，whereitwasnotsowarm，shesatby，thewindowandcried。Thiswasthelifecutoutforher，wasit？ Tolivecoopedupinasmallflatwithsomeonewhowasoutof，work，idle，andindifferenttoher。Shewasmerelyaservantto，himnow，nothingmore。 Thiscryingmadehereyesred，andwhen，inpreparinghisbed，shelightedthegas，and，havingpreparedit，calledhimin，he，noticedthefact。 “What’sthematterwithyou？”heasked，lookingintoherface。 Hisvoicewashoarseandhisunkemptheadonlyaddedtoits，grewsomequality。 “Nothing，“saidCarrie，weakly。 “You’vebeencrying，“hesaid。 “Ihaven’t，either，“sheanswered。 Itwasnotforloveofhim，thatheknew。 “Youneedn’tcry，“hesaid，gettingintobed。”Thingswillcome，outallright。” Inadayortwohewasupagain，butroughweatherholding，he，stayedin。TheItaliannewsdealernowdeliveredthemorning，papers，andthesehereadassiduously。Afewtimesafterthathe，venturedout，butmeetinganotherofhisold-timefriends，he，begantofeeluneasysittingabouthotelcorridors。 Everydayhecamehomeearly，andatlastmadenopretenceof，goinganywhere。Winterwasnotimetolookforanything。 Naturally，beingaboutthehouse，henoticedthewayCarriedid，things。Shewasfarfromperfectinhouseholdmethodsand，economy，andherlittledeviationsonthisscorefirstcaughthis，eye。Not，however，beforeherregulardemandforherallowance，becameagrievousthing。Sittingaroundashedid，theweeks，seemedtopassveryquickly。EveryTuesdayCarrieaskedforher，money。 “Doyouthinkweliveascheaplyaswemight？”heaskedone，Tuesdaymorning。 “IdothebestIcan，“saidCarrie。 Nothingwasaddedtothisatthemoment，butthenextdayhe，said： “DoyouevergototheGansevoortMarketoverhere？” “Ididn’tknowtherewassuchamarket，“saidCarrie。 “Theysayyoucangetthingslotscheaperthere。” Carriewasveryindifferenttothesuggestion。Thesewerethings，whichshedidnotlikeatall。 “Howmuchdoyoupayforapoundofmeat？”heaskedoneday。 “Oh，therearedifferentprices，“saidCarrie。”Sirloinsteakis，twenty-twocents。” “That’ssteep，isn’tit？”heanswered。 Soheaskedaboutotherthings，untilfinally，withthepassing，days，itseemedtobecomeamaniawithhim。Helearnedthe，pricesandrememberedthem。 Hiserrand-runningcapacityalsoimproved。Itbeganinasmall，way，ofcourse。Carrie，goingtogetherhatonemorning，was，stoppedbyhim。 “Whereareyougoing，Carrie？”heasked。 “Overtothebaker’s，“sheanswered。 “I’djustasleavegoforyou，“hesaid。 Sheacquiesced，andhewent。Eachafternoonhewouldgotothe，cornerforthepapers。 “Isthereanythingyouwant？”hewouldsay。 Bydegreesshebegantousehim。Doingthis，however，shelost，theweeklypaymentoftwelvedollars。 “Youwanttopaymeto-day，“shesaidoneTuesday，aboutthis，time。 “Howmuch？”heasked。 Sheunderstoodwellenoughwhatitmeant。 “Well，aboutfivedollars，“sheanswered。”Iowethecoalman。” Thesamedayhesaid： “IthinkthisItalianuphereonthecornersellscoalattwenty- fivecentsabushel。I’lltradewithhim。” Carrieheardthiswithindifference。 “Allright，“shesaid。 Thenitcametobe： “George，Imusthavesomecoalto-day，“or，“Youmustgetsome，meatofsomekindfordinner。” Hewouldfindoutwhatsheneededandorder。 Accompanyingthisplancameskimpiness。 “Ionlygotahalf-poundofsteak，“hesaid，cominginone，afternoonwithhispapers。”Weneverseemtoeatverymuch。” ThesemiserabledetailsatetheheartoutofCarrie。They，blackenedherdaysandgrievedhersoul。Oh，howthismanhad，changed！，Alldayandallday，herehesat，readinghispapers。 Theworldseemedtohavenoattraction。Onceinawhilehewould，goout，infineweather，itmightbefourorfivehours，between，elevenandfour。Shecoulddonothingbutviewhimwithgnawing，contempt。 ItwasapathywithHurstwood，resultingfromhisinabilitytosee，hiswayout。Eachmonthdrewfromhissmallstore。Now，hehad，onlyfivehundreddollarsleft，andthishehugged，halffeeling，asifhecouldstaveoffabsolutenecessityforanindefinite，period。Sittingaroundthehouse，hedecidedtowearsomeold，clotheshehad。Thiscamefirstwiththebaddays。Onlyoncehe，apologisedintheverybeginning： “It’ssobadto-day，I’lljustwearthesearound。” Eventuallythesebecamethepermanentthing。 Also，hehadbeenwonttopayfifteencentsforashave，anda，tipoftencents。Inhisfirstdistress，hecutdownthetipto，five，thentonothing。Later，hetriedaten-centbarbershop，and，findingthattheshavewassatisfactory，patronised，regularly。Laterstill，heputoffshavingtoeveryotherday，thentoeverythird，andsoon，untilonceaweekbecamethe，rule。OnSaturdayhewasasighttosee。 Ofcourse，ashisownself-respectvanished，itperishedforhim，inCarrie。Shecouldnotunderstandwhathadgottenintothe，man。Hehadsomemoney，hehadadecentsuitremaining，hewas，notbadlookingwhendressedup。Shedidnotforgetherown，difficultstruggleinChicago，butshedidnotforgeteitherthat，shehadneverceasedtrying。Henevertried。Hedidnoteven，consulttheadsinthepapersanymore。 Finally，adistinctimpressionescapedfromher。 “Whatmakesyouputsomuchbutteronthesteak？”heaskedher，oneevening，standingaroundinthekitchen。 “Tomakeitgood，ofcourse，“sheanswered。 “Butterisawfuldearthesedays，“hesuggested。 “Youwouldn’tminditifyouwereworking，“sheanswered。 Heshutupafterthis，andwentintohispaper，buttheretort，rankledinhismind。Itwasthefirstcuttingremarkthathad，comefromher。 Thatsameevening，Carrie，afterreading，wentofftothefront，roomtobed。Thiswasunusual。WhenHurstwooddecidedtogo，he，retired，asusual，withoutalight。Itwasthenthathe，discoveredCarrie’sabsence。 “That’sfunny，“hesaid;“maybeshe’ssittingup。” Hegavethematternomorethought，butslept。Inthemorning，shewasnotbesidehim。Strangetosay，thispassedwithout，comment。 Nightapproaching，andaslightlymoreconversationalfeeling，prevailing，Carriesaid： “IthinkI’llsleepaloneto-night。Ihaveaheadache。” “Allright，“saidHurstwood。 Thethirdnightshewenttoherfrontbedwithoutapologies。 ThiswasagrimblowtoHurstwood，buthenevermentionedit。 “Allright，“hesaidtohimself，withanirrepressiblefrown，“lethersleepalone。” ChapterXXXVI AGRIMRETROGRESSION——THEPHANTOMOFCHANCE TheVances，whohadbeenbackinthecityeversinceChristmas，hadnotforgottenCarrie;butthey，orratherMrs。Vance，had，nevercalledonher，fortheverysimplereasonthatCarriehad，neversentheraddress。Truetohernature，shecorresponded，withMrs。VanceaslongasshestilllivedinSeventy-eighth，Street，butwhenshewascompelledtomoveintoThirteenth，her，fearthatthelatterwouldtakeitasanindicationofreduced，circumstancescausedhertostudysomewayofavoidingthe，necessityofgivingheraddress。Notfindinganyconvenient，method，shesorrowfullyresignedtheprivilegeofwritingtoher，friendentirely。Thelatterwonderedatthisstrangesilence，thoughtCarriemusthaveleftthecity，andintheendgaveher，upaslost。Soshewasthoroughlysurprisedtoencounterherin，FourteenthStreet，whereshehadgoneshopping。Carriewasthere，forthesamepurpose。 “Why，Mrs。Wheeler，“saidMrs。Vance，lookingCarrieoverina，glance，“wherehaveyoubeen？Whyhaven’tyoubeentoseeme？ I’vebeenwonderingallthistimewhathadbecomeofyou。 Really，I——“ “I’msogladtoseeyou，“saidCarrie，pleasedandyet，nonplussed。Ofalltimes，thiswastheworsttoencounterMrs。 Vance。”Why，I’mlivingdowntownhere。I’vebeenintendingto，comeandseeyou。Whereareyoulivingnow？” “InFifty-eighthStreet，“saidMrs。Vance，“justoffSeventh，Avenue——218。Whydon’tyoucomeandseeme？” “Iwill，“saidCarrie。”Really，I’vebeenwantingtocome。I knowIoughtto。It’sashame。Butyouknow——“ “What’syournumber？”saidMrs。Vance。 “ThirteenthStreet，“saidCarrie，reluctantly。”112West。” “Oh，“saidMrs。Vance，“that’srightnearhere，isn’tit？” “Yes，“saidCarrie。”Youmustcomedownandseemesometime。” “Well，you’reafineone，“saidMrs。Vance，laughing，thewhile，notingthatCarrie’sappearancehadmodifiedsomewhat。”The，address，too，“sheaddedtoherself。”Theymustbehardup。” StillshelikedCarriewellenoughtotakeherintow。 “Comewithmeinhereaminute，“sheexclaimed，turningintoa，store。 WhenCarriereturnedhome，therewasHurstwood，readingasusual。 Heseemedtotakehisconditionwiththeutmostnonchalance。His，beardwasatleastfourdaysold。 “Oh，“thoughtCarrie，“ifsheweretocomehereandseehim？” Sheshookherheadinabsolutemisery。Itlookedasifher，situationwasbecomingunbearable。 Driventodesperation，sheaskedatdinner： “Didyoueverhearanymorefromthatwholesalehouse？” “No，“hesaid。”Theydon’twantaninexperiencedman。” Carriedroppedthesubject，feelingunabletosaymore。 “ImetMrs。Vancethisafternoon，“shesaid，afteratime。 “Did，eh？”heanswered。 “They’rebackinNewYorknow，“Carriewenton。”Shedidlookso，nice。” “Well，shecanafforditaslongasheputsupforit，“returned，Hurstwood。”He’sgotasoftjob。” Hurstwoodwaslookingintothepaper。Hecouldnotseethelook，ofinfinitewearinessanddiscontentCarriegavehim。 “Shesaidshethoughtshe’dcallheresomeday。” “She’sbeenlonggettingroundtoit，hasn’tshe？”said，Hurstwood，withakindofsarcasm。 Thewomandidn’tappealtohimfromherspendingside。 “Oh，Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，angeredbytheman’sattitude。 “PerhapsIdidn’twanthertocome。” “She’stoogay，“saidHurstwood，significantly。”Noonecankeep，upwithherpaceunlessthey’vegotalotofmoney。” “Mr。Vancedoesn’tseemtofinditveryhard。” “Hemaynotnow，“answeredHurstwood，doggedly，well，understandingtheinference;“buthislifeisn’tdoneyet。You，can’ttellwhat’llhappen。Hemaygetdownlikeanybodyelse。” Therewassomethingquiteknavishintheman’sattitude。Hiseye，seemedtobecockedwithatwinkleuponthefortunate，expecting，theirdefeat。Hisownstateseemedathingapart——not，considered。 Thisthingwastheremainsofhisold-timecocksurenessand，independence。Sittinginhisflat，andreadingofthedoingsof，otherpeople，sometimesthisindependent，undefeatedmoodcame，uponhim。Forgettingthewearinessofthestreetsandthe，degradationofsearch，hewouldsometimesprickuphisears。It，wasasifhesaid： “Icandosomething。I’mnotdownyet。There’salotofthings，comingtomeifIwanttogoafterthem。” Itwasinthismoodthathewouldoccasionallydressup，gofora，shave，and，puttingonhisgloves，sallyforthquiteactively。 Notwithanydefiniteaim。Itwasmoreabarometriccondition。 Hefeltjustrightforbeingoutsideanddoingsomething。 Onsuchoccasions，hismoneywentalso。Heknewofseveralpoker，roomsdowntown。Afewacquaintanceshehadindowntownresorts，andabouttheCityHall。Itwasachangetoseethemand，exchangeafewfriendlycommonplaces。 Hehadoncebeenaccustomedtoholdaprettyfairhandatpoker。 Manyafriendlygamehadnettedhimahundreddollarsormoreat，thetimewhenthatsumwasmerelysaucetothedishofthegame—— nottheallinall。Now，hethoughtofplaying。 “Imightwinacoupleofhundred。I’mnotoutofpractice。” Itisbutfairtosaythatthisthoughthadoccurredtohim，severaltimesbeforeheacteduponit。 ThepokerroomwhichhefirstinvadedwasoverasalooninWest，Street，nearoneoftheferries。Hehadbeentherebefore。 Severalgamesweregoing。Thesehewatchedforatimeand，noticedthatthepotswerequitelargefortheanteinvolved。 “Dealmeahand，“hesaidatthebeginningofanewshuffle。He，pulledupachairandstudiedhiscards。Thoseplayingmadethat，quietstudyofhimwhichissounapparent，andyetinvariablyso，searching。 Poorfortunewaswithhimatfirst。Hereceivedamixed，collectionwithoutprogressionorpairs。Thepotwasopened。 “Ipass，“hesaid。 Onthestrengthofthis，hewascontenttolosehisante。The，dealsdidfairlybyhiminthelongrun，causinghimtocomeaway，withafewdollarstothegood。 Thenextafternoonhewasbackagain，seekingamusementand，profit。Thistimehefollowedupthreeofakindtohisdoom。 Therewasabetterhandacrossthetable，heldbyapugnacious，Irishyouth，whowasapoliticalhanger-onoftheTammany，districtinwhichtheywerelocated。Hurstwoodwassurprisedat，thepersistenceofthisindividual，whosebetscamewithasang- froidwhich，ifabluff，wasexcellentart。Hurstwoodbeganto，doubt，butkept，orthoughttokeep，atleast，thecooldemeanour，withwhich，inoldentimes，hedeceivedthosepsychicstudentsof，thegamingtable，whoseemtoreadthoughtsandmoods，rather，thanexteriorevidences，howeversubtle。Hecouldnotdownthe，cowardlythoughtthatthismanhadsomethingbetterandwould，staytotheend，drawinghislastdollarintothepot，shouldhe，choosetogosofar。Still，hehopedtowinmuch——hishandwas，excellent。Whynotraiseitfivemore？ “Iraiseyouthree，“saidtheyouth。 “Makeitfive，“saidHurstwood，pushingouthischips。 “Comeagain，“saidtheyouth，pushingoutasmallpileofreds。 “Letmehavesomemorechips，“saidHurstwoodtothekeeperin，charge，takingoutabill。 Acynicalgrinlitupthefaceofhisyouthfulopponent。When，thechipswerelaidout，Hurstwoodmettheraise。 “Fiveagain，“saidtheyouth。 Hurstwood’sbrowwaswet。Hewasdeepinnow——verydeepforhim。 Sixtydollarsofhisgoodmoneywasup。Hewasordinarilyno，coward，butthethoughtoflosingsomuchweakenedhim。Finally，hegaveway。Hewouldnottrusttothisfinehandanylonger。 “Icall，“hesaid。 “Afullhouse！”saidtheyouth，spreadingouthiscards。 Hurstwood’shanddropped。 “IthoughtIhadyou，“hesaid，weakly。 Theyouthrakedinhischips，andHurstwoodcameaway，not，withoutfirststoppingtocounthisremainingcashonthestair。 “Threehundredandfortydollars，“hesaid。 Withthislossandordinaryexpenses，somuchhadalreadygone。 Backintheflat，hedecidedhewouldplaynomore。 RememberingMrs。Vance’spromisetocall，Carriemadeoneother，mildprotest。ItwasconcerningHurstwood’sappearance。This，veryday，cominghome，hechangedhisclothestotheoldtogshe，sataroundin。 “Whatmakesyoualwaysputonthoseoldclothes？”askedCarrie。 “What’stheusewearingmygoodonesaroundhere？”heasked。 “Well，Ishouldthinkyou’dfeelbetter。”Thensheadded：“Some，onemightcall。” “Who？”hesaid。 “Well，Mrs。Vance，“saidCarrie。 “Sheneedn’tseeme，“heanswered，sullenly。 ThislackofprideandinterestmadeCarriealmosthatehim。 “Oh，“shethought，“therehesits。’Sheneedn’tseeme。’I shouldthinkhewouldbeashamedofhimself。” TherealbitternessofthisthingwasaddedwhenMrs。Vancedid，call。Itwasononeofhershoppingrounds。Makingherwayup，thecommonplacehall，sheknockedatCarrie’sdoor。Toher，subsequentandagonisingdistress，Carriewasout。Hurstwood，openedthedoor，half-thinkingthattheknockwasCarrie’s。For，once，hewastakenhonestlyaback。Thelostvoiceofyouthand，pridespokeinhim。 “Why，“hesaid，actuallystammering，“howdoyoudo？” “Howdoyoudo？”saidMrs。Vance，whocouldscarcelybelieveher，eyes。Hisgreatconfusionsheinstantlyperceived。Hedidnot，knowwhethertoinviteherinornot。 “Isyourwifeathome？”sheinquired。 “No，“hesaid，“Carrie’sout;butwon’tyoustepin？She’llbe，backshortly。” “No-o，“saidMrs。Vance，realisingthechangeofitall。”I’m，reallyverymuchinahurry。IthoughtI’djustrunupandlook，in，butIcouldn’tstay。Justtellyourwifeshemustcomeand，seeme。” “Iwill，“saidHurstwood，standingback，andfeelingintense，reliefathergoing。Hewassoashamedthathefoldedhishands，weakly，ashesatinthechairafterwards，andthought。 Carrie，cominginfromanotherdirection，thoughtshesawMrs。 Vancegoingaway。Shestrainedhereyes，butcouldnotmake，sure。 “Wasanybodyherejustnow？”sheaskedofHurstwood。 “Yes，“hesaidguiltily;“Mrs。Vance。” “Didsheseeyou？”sheasked，expressingherfulldespair。 ThiscutHurstwoodlikeawhip，andmadehimsullen。 “Ifshehadeyes，shedid。Iopenedthedoor。” “Oh，“saidCarrie，closingonehandtightlyoutofsheer，nervousness。”Whatdidshehavetosay？” “Nothing，“heanswered。”Shecouldn’tstay。” “Andyoulookinglikethat！”saidCarrie，throwingasidealong，reserve。 “Whatofit？”hesaid，angering。”Ididn’tknowshewascoming，didI？” “Youknewshemight，“saidCarrie。”Itoldyoushesaidshewas，coming。I’veaskedyouadozentimestowearyourotherclothes。 Oh，Ithinkthisisjustterrible。” “Oh，letup，“heanswered。”Whatdifferencedoesitmake？You，couldn’tassociatewithher，anyway。They’vegottoomuchmoney。 “WhosaidIwantedto？”saidCarrie，fiercely。 “Well，youactlikeit，rowingaroundovermylooks。You’dthink，I’dcommitted——“ Carrieinterrupted： “It’strue，“shesaid。”Icouldn’tifIwantedto，butwhose，faultisit？You’reveryfreetositandtalkaboutwhoIcould，associatewith。Whydon’tyougetoutandlookforwork？” Thiswasathunderboltincamp。 “What’sittoyou？”hesaid，rising，almostfiercely。”Ipaythe，rent，don’tI？Ifurnishthe——“ “Yes，youpaytherent，“saidCarrie。”Youtalkasiftherewas，nothingelseintheworldbutaflattositaroundin。You，haven’tdoneathingforthreemonthsexceptsitaroundand，interferehere。I’dliketoknowwhatyoumarriedmefor？” “Ididn’tmarryyou，“hesaid，inasnarlingtone。 “I’dliketoknowwhatyoudid，then，inMontreal？”sheanswered。 “Well，Ididn’tmarryyou，“heanswered。”Youcangetthatout，ofyourhead。Youtalkasthoughyoudidn’tknow。” Carrielookedathimamoment，hereyesdistending。Shehad，believeditwasalllegalandbindingenough。 “Whatdidyoulietomefor，then？”sheasked，fiercely。”What，didyouforcemetorunawaywithyoufor？” Hervoicebecamealmostasob。 “Force！”hesaid，withcurledlip。”AlotofforcingIdid。” “Oh！”saidCarrie，breakingunderthestrain，andturning。”Oh，oh！”andshehurriedintothefrontroom。 Hurstwoodwasnowhotandwakedup。Itwasagreatshakingup，forhim，bothmentalandmoral。Hewipedhisbrowashelooked，around，andthenwentforhisclothesanddressed。Notasound，camefromCarrie;sheceasedsobbingwhensheheardhimdressing。 Shethought，atfirst，withthefaintestalarm，ofbeingleft，withoutmoney——notoflosinghim，thoughhemightbegoingaway，permanently。Sheheardhimopenthetopofthewardrobeandtake，outhishat。Thenthedining-roomdoorclosed，andsheknewhe，hadgone。 Afterafewmomentsofsilence，shestoodup，dry-eyed，and，lookedoutthewindow。Hurstwoodwasjuststrollingupthe，street，fromtheflat，towardSixthAvenue。 ThelattermadeprogressalongThirteenthandacrossFourteenth，StreettoUnionSquare。 “Lookforwork！”hesaidtohimself。”Lookforwork！Shetells，metogetoutandlookforwork。” Hetriedtoshieldhimselffromhisownmentalaccusation，which，toldhimthatshewasright。 “WhatacursedthingthatMrs。Vance’scallwas，anyhow，“he，thought。”Stoodrightthere，andlookedmeover。Iknowwhat，shewasthinking。” HerememberedthefewtimeshehadseenherinSeventy-eight，Street。Shewasalwaysaswell-looker，andhehadtriedtoput，ontheairofbeingworthyofsuchasshe，infrontofher。Now，tothinkshehadcaughthimlookingthisway。Hewrinkledhis，foreheadinhisdistress。 “Thedevil！”hesaidadozentimesinanhour。 Itwasaquarterafterfourwhenheleftthehouse。Carriewas，intears。Therewouldbenodinnerthatnight。 “Whatthedeuce，“hesaid，swaggeringmentallytohidehisown，shamefromhimself。”I’mnotsobad。I’mnotdownyet。” Helookedaroundthesquare，andseeingtheseverallargehotels，decidedtogotoonefordinner。Hewouldgethispapersand，makehimselfcomfortablethere。 HeascendedintothefineparlouroftheMortonHouse，thenone，ofthebestNewYorkhotels，and，findingacushionedseat，read。 Itdidnottroublehimmuchthathisdecreasingsumofmoneydid，notallowofsuchextravagance。Likethemorphinefiend，hewas，becomingaddictedtohisease。Anythingtorelievehismental，distress，tosatisfyhiscravingforcomfort。Hemustdoit。No，thoughtsforthemorrow——hecouldnotstandtothinkofitany，morethanhecouldofanyothercalamity。Likethecertaintyof，death，hetriedtoshutthecertaintyofsoonbeingwithouta，dollarcompletelyoutofhismind，andhecameveryneardoing，it。 Well-dressedguestsmovingtoandfrooverthethickcarpets，carriedhimbacktotheolddays。Ayounglady，aguestofthe，house，playingapianoinanalcovepleasedhim。Hesatthere，reading。 Hisdinnercosthim$1。50。Byeighto’clockhewasthrough，and，then，seeingguestsleavingandthecrowdofpleasure-seekers，thickeningoutsidewonderedwhereheshouldgo。Nothome。 Carriewouldbeup。No，hewouldnotgobacktherethisevening。 Hewouldstayoutandknockaroundasamanwhowasindependent—— notbroke——wellmight。Heboughtacigar，andwentoutsideon，thecornerwhereotherindividualswerelounging——brokers，racing，people，thespians——hisownfleshandblood。Ashestoodthere，hethoughtoftheoldeveningsinChicago，andhowheusedto，disposeofthem。Many’sthegamehehadhad。Thistookhimto，poker。 “Ididn’tdothatthingrighttheotherday，“hethought，referringtohislossofsixtydollars。”Ishouldn’thave，weakened。Icouldhavebluffedthatfellowdown。Iwasn’tin，form，that’swhatailedme。” Thenhestudiedthepossibilitiesofthegameasithadbeen，played，andbegantofigurehowhemighthavewon，inseveral，instances，bybluffingalittleharder。 “I’moldenoughtoplaypokeranddosomethingwithit。I’lltry，myhandto-night。” Visionsofabigstakefloatedbeforehim。Supposinghedidwin，acoupleofhundred，wouldn’thebeinit？Lotsofsportsheknew，madetheirlivingatthisgame，andagoodliving，too。 “TheyalwayshadasmuchasIhad，“hethought。 Sooffhewenttoapokerroomintheneighbourhood，feelingmuch，ashehadintheolddays。Inthisperiodofself-forgetfulness，arousedfirstbytheshockofargumentandperfectedbyadinner，inthehotel，withcocktailsandcigars，hewasasnearlylike，theoldHurstwoodashewouldeverbeagain。Itwasnottheold，Hurstwood——onlyamanarguingwithadividedconscienceandlured，byaphantom。 Thispokerroomwasmuchliketheotherone，onlyitwasaback，roominabetterdrinkingresort。Hurstwoodwatchedawhile，and，then，seeinganinterestinggame，joinedin。Asbefore，itwent，easyforawhile，hewinningafewtimesandcheeringup，losing，afewpotsandgrowingmoreinterestedanddeterminedonthat，account。Atlastthefascinatinggametookastrongholdonhim。 Heenjoyeditsrisksandventured，onatriflinghand，tobluff，thecompanyandsecureafairstake。Tohisself-satisfaction，intenseandstrong，hedidit。 Intheheightofthisfeelinghebegantothinkhisluckwaswith，him。Nooneelsehaddonesowell。Nowcameanothermoderate，hand，andagainhetriedtoopenthejack-potonit。Therewere，otherstherewhowerealmostreadinghisheart，soclosewas，theirobservation。 “Ihavethreeofakind，“saidoneoftheplayerstohimself。 “I’lljuststaywiththatfellowtothefinish。” Theresultwasthatbiddingbegan。 “Iraiseyouten。” “Good。” “Tenmore。” “Good。” “Tenagain。” “Rightyouare。” ItgottowhereHurstwoodhadseventy-fivedollarsup。Theother，manreallybecameserious。Perhapsthisindividual(Hurstwood) reallydidhaveastiffhand。 “Icall，“hesaid。 Hurstwoodshowedhishand。Hewasdone。Thebitterfactthathe，hadlostseventy-fivedollarsmadehimdesperate。 “Let’shaveanotherpot，“hesaid，grimly。 “Allright，“saidtheman。 Someoftheotherplayersquit，butobservantloungerstooktheir，places。Timepassed，anditcametotwelveo’clock。Hurstwood，heldon，neitherwinningnorlosingmuch。Thenhegrewweary，andonalasthandlosttwentymore。Hewassickatheart。 Ataquarterafteroneinthemorninghecameoutoftheplace。 Thechill，barestreetsseemedamockeryofhisstate。Hewalked，slowlywest，littlethinkingofhisrowwithCarrie。Heascended，thestairsandwentintohisroomasiftherehadbeenno，trouble。Itwashislossthatoccupiedhismind。Sittingdown，onthebedsidehecountedhismoney。Therewasnowbutahundred，andninetydollarsandsomechange。Heputitupandbeganto，undress。 “Iwonderwhat’sgettingintome，anyhow？”hesaid。 InthemorningCarriescarcelyspokeandhefeltasifhemustgo，outagain。Hehadtreatedherbadly，buthecouldnotaffordto，makeup。Nowdesperationseizedhim，andforadayortwo，going，outthus，helivedlikeagentleman——orwhatheconceivedtobea，gentleman——whichtookmoney。Forhisescapadeshewassoon，poorerinmindandbody，tosaynothingofhispurse，whichhad，lostthirtybytheprocess。Thenhecamedowntocold，bitter，senseagain。 “Therentmancomesto-day，“saidCarrie，greetinghimthus，indifferentlythreemorningslater。 “Hedoes？” “Yes;thisisthesecond，“answeredCarrie。 Hurstwoodfrowned。Thenindespairhegotouthispurse。 “Itseemsanawfullottopayforrent，“hesaid。 Hewasnearinghislasthundreddollars。 ChapterXXXVII THESPIRITAWAKENS——NEWSEARCHFORTHEGATE Itwouldbeuselesstoexplainhowinduetimethelastfifty，dollarswasinsight。Thesevenhundred，byhisprocessof，handling，hadonlycarriedthemintoJune。Beforethefinal，hundredmarkwasreachedhebegantoindicatethatacalamitywas，approaching。 “Idon’tknow，“hesaidoneday，takingatrivialexpenditurefor，meatasatext，“itseemstotakeanawfullotforustolive。” “Itdoesn’tseemtome，“saidCarrie，“thatwespendverymuch。” “Mymoneyisnearlygone，“hesaid，“andIhardlyknowwhereit’s，goneto。” “Allthatsevenhundreddollars？”askedCarrie。 “Allbutahundred。” Helookedsodisconsolatethatitscaredher。Shebegantosee，thatsheherselfhadbeendrifting。Shehadfeltitallthe，time。 “Well，George，“sheexclaimed，“whydon’tyougetoutandlook，forsomething？Youcouldfindsomething。” “Ihavelooked，“hesaid。”Youcantmakepeoplegiveyoua，place。” Shegazedweaklyathimandsaid：“Well，whatdoyouthinkyou，willdo？Ahundreddollarswon’tlastlong。” “Idon’tknow，“hesaid。”Ican’tdoanymorethanlook。” Carriebecamefrightenedoverthisannouncement。Shethought，desperatelyuponthesubject。Frequentlyshehadconsideredthe，stageasadoorthroughwhichshemightenterthatgildedstate，whichshehadsomuchcraved。Now，asinChicago，itcameasa，lastresourceindistress。Somethingmustbedoneifhedidnot，getworksoon。Perhapsshewouldhavetogooutandbattleagain，alone。 Shebegantowonderhowonewouldgoaboutgettingaplace。Her，experienceinChicagoprovedthatshehadnottriedtheright，way。Theremustbepeoplewhowouldlistentoandtryyou——men，whowouldgiveyouanopportunity。 Theyweretalkingatthebreakfasttable，amorningortwolater，whenshebroughtupthedramaticsubjectbysayingthatshesaw，thatSarahBernhardtwascomingtothiscountry。Hurstwoodhad，seenit，too。 “Howdopeoplegetonthestage，George？”shefinallyasked，innocently。 “Idon’tknow，“hesaid。”Theremustbedramaticagents。” Carriewassippingcoffee，anddidnotlookup。 “Regularpeoplewhogetyouaplace？” “Yes，Ithinkso，“heanswered。 Suddenlytheairwithwhichsheaskedattractedhisattention。 “You’renotstillthinkingaboutbeinganactress，areyou？”he，asked。 “No，“sheanswered，“Iwasjustwondering。” Withoutbeingclear，therewassomethinginthethoughtwhichhe，objectedto。Hedidnotbelieveanymore，afterthreeyearsof，observation，thatCarriewouldeverdoanythinggreatinthat，line。Sheseemedtoosimple，tooyielding。Hisideaoftheart，wasthatitinvolvedsomethingmorepompous。Ifshetriedtoget，onthestageshewouldfallintothehandsofsomecheapmanager，andbecomeliketherestofthem。Hehadagoodideaofwhathe，meantbyTHEM。Carriewaspretty。Shewouldgetalongall，right，butwherewouldhebe？ “I’dgetthatideaoutofmyhead，ifIwereyou。It’salot，moredifficultthanyouthink。” Carriefeltthistocontain，insomeway，anaspersionuponher，ability。 “YousaidIdidrealwellinChicago，“sherejoined。 “Youdid，“heanswered，seeingthathewasarousingopposition，“butChicagoisn’tNewYork，byabigjump。” Carriedidnotanswerthisatall。Ithurther。 “Thestage，“hewenton，“isallrightifyoucanbeoneofthe，bigguns，butthere’snothingtotherestofit。Ittakesalong，whiletogetup。” “Oh，Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，slightlyaroused。 Inaflash，hethoughtheforesawtheresultofthisthing。Now，whentheworstofhissituationwasapproaching，shewouldgeton，thestageinsomecheapwayandforsakehim。Strangely，hehad，notconceivedwellofhermentalability。Thatwasbecausehe，didnotunderstandthenatureofemotionalgreatness。Hehad，neverlearnedthatapersonmightbeemotionally——insteadof，intellectually——great。AveryHallwastoofarawayforhimto，lookbackandsharplyremember。Hehadlivedwiththiswomantoo，long。 “Well，Ido，“heanswered。”IfIwereyouIwouldn’tthinkof，it。It’snotmuchofaprofessionforawoman。” “It’sbetterthangoinghungry，“saidCarrie。”Ifyoudon’twant，metodothat，whydon’tyougetworkyourself？” Therewasnoanswerreadyforthis。Hehadgotusedtothe，suggestion。 “Oh，letup，“heanswered。 Theresultofthiswasthatshesecretlyresolvedtotry。It，didn’tmatterabouthim。Shewasnotgoingtobedraggedinto，povertyandsomethingworsetosuithim。Shecouldact。She，couldgetsomethingandthenworkup。Whatwouldhesaythen？ Shepicturedherselfalreadyappearinginsomefineperformance，onBroadway;ofgoingeveryeveningtoherdressing-roomand，makingup。Thenshewouldcomeoutateleveno’clockandseethe，carriagesrangedabout，waitingforthepeople。Itdidnot，matterwhethershewasthestarornot。Ifshewereonlyonce，in，gettingadecentsalary，wearingthekindofclothesshe，liked，havingthemoneytodowith，goinghereandthereasshe，pleased，howdelightfulitwouldallbe。Hermindranoverthis，pictureallthedaylong。Hurstwood’sdrearystatemadeits，beautybecomemoreandmorevivid。 CuriouslythisideasoontookholdofHurstwood。Hisvanishing，sumsuggestedthathewouldneedsustenance。Whycouldnot，Carrieassisthimalittleuntilhecouldgetsomething？ Hecameinonedaywithsomethingofthisideainhismind。 “ImetJohnB。Draketo-day，“hesaid。”He’sgoingtoopena，hotelhereinthefall。Hesaysthathecanmakeaplaceforme，then。” “Whoishe？”askedCarrie。 “He’sthemanthatrunstheGrandPacificinChicago。” “Oh，“saidCarrie。 “I’dgetaboutfourteenhundredayearoutofthat。” “Thatwouldbegood，wouldn’tit？”shesaid，sympathetically。 “IfIcanonlygetoverthissummer，“headded，“IthinkI’llbe，allright。I’mhearingfromsomeofmyfriendsagain。” Carrieswallowedthisstoryinallitspristinebeauty。She，sincerelywishedhecouldgetthroughthesummer。Helookedso，hopeless。 “Howmuchmoneyhaveyouleft？” “Onlyfiftydollars。” “Oh，mercy，“sheexclaimed，“whatwillwedo？It’sonlytwenty，daysuntiltherentwillbedueagain。” Hurstwoodrestedhisheadonhishandsandlookedblanklyatthe，floor。 “Maybeyoucouldgetsomethinginthestageline？”heblandly，suggested。 “MaybeIcould，“saidCarrie，gladthatsomeoneapprovedofthe，idea。 “I’lllaymyhandtowhateverIcanget，“hesaid，nowthathe，sawherbrightenup。”Icangetsomething。” Shecleanedupthethingsonemorningafterhehadgone，dressed，asneatlyasherwardrobepermitted，andsetoutforBroadway。 Shedidnotknowthatthoroughfareverywell。Toheritwasa，wonderfulconglomerationofeverythinggreatandmighty。The，theatreswerethere——theseagenciesmustbesomewhereabout。 ShedecidedtostopinattheMadisonSquareTheatreandaskhow，tofindthetheatricalagents。Thisseemedthesensibleway。 Accordingly，whenshereachedthattheatresheappliedtothe，clerkattheboxoffice。 “Eh？”hesaid，lookingout。”Dramaticagents？Idon’tknow。 You’llfindtheminthe’Clipper，’though。Theyalladvertisein，that。” “Isthatapaper？”saidCarrie。 “Yes，“saidtheclerk，marvellingatsuchignoranceofacommon，fact。”Youcangetitatthenews-stands，“headdedpolitely，seeinghowprettytheinquirerwas。 Carrieproceededtogetthe“Clipper，“andtriedtofindthe，agentsbylookingoveritasshestoodbesidethestand。This，couldnotbedonesoeasily。ThirteenthStreetwasanumberof，blocksoff，butshewentback，carryingthepreciouspaperand，regrettingthewasteoftime。 Hurstwoodwasalreadythere，sittinginhisplace。 “Wherewereyou？”heasked。 “I’vebeentryingtofindsomedramaticagents。” Hefeltalittlediffidentaboutaskingconcerninghersuccess。 Thepapershebegantoscanattractedhisattention。 “Whathaveyougotthere？”heasked。 “The’Clipper。’ThemansaidI’dfindtheiraddressesinhere。” “HaveyoubeenallthewayovertoBroadwaytofindthatout？I couldhavetoldyou。” “Whydidn’tyou？”sheasked，withoutlookingup。 “Youneveraskedme，“hereturned。 Shewenthuntingaimlesslythroughthecrowdedcolumns。Hermind，wasdistractedbythisman’sindifference。Thedifficultyofthe，situationshewasfacingwasonlyaddedtobyallhedid。Self- commiserationbrewedinherheart。Tearstrembledalongher，eyelidsbutdidnotfall。Hurstwoodnoticedsomething。 “Letmelook。” Torecoverherselfshewentintothefrontroomwhilehe，searched。Presentlyshereturned。Hehadapencil，andwas，writinguponanenvelope。 “Here’rethree，“hesaid。 CarrietookitandfoundthatonewasMrs。Bermudez，another，MarcusJenks，athirdPercyWeil。Shepausedonlyamoment，and，thenmovedtowardthedoor。 “Imightaswellgorightaway，“shesaid，withoutlookingback。 Hurstwoodsawherdepartwithsomefaintstirringsofshame，whichweretheexpressionofamanhoodrapidlybecoming，stultified。Hesatawhile，andthenitbecametoomuch。Hegot，upandputonhishat。 “IguessI’llgoout，“hesaidtohimself，andwent，strolling，nowhereinparticular，butfeelingsomehowthathemustgo。 Carrie’sfirstcallwasuponMrs。Bermudez，whoseaddresswas，quitethenearest。Itwasanold-fashionedresidenceturnedinto，offices。Mrs。Bermudez’sofficesconsistedofwhatformerlyhad，beenabackchamberandahallbedroom，marked“Private。” AsCarrieenteredshenoticedseveralpersonsloungingabout—— men，whosaidnothinganddidnothing。 Whileshewaswaitingtobenoticed，thedoorofthehallbedroom，openedandfromitissuedtwoverymannish-lookingwomen，very，tightlydressed，andwearingwhitecollarsandcuffs。Afterthem，cameaportlyladyofaboutforty-five，light-haired，sharp-eyed，andevidentlygood-natured。Atleastshewassmiling。 “Now，don’tforgetaboutthat，“saidoneofthemannishwomen。 “Iwon’t，“saidtheportlywoman。”Let’ssee，“sheadded，“where，areyouthefirstweekinFebruary？” “Pittsburg，“saidthewoman。 “I’llwriteyouthere。” “Allright，“saidtheother，andthetwopassedout。 Instantlytheportlylady’sfacebecameexceedinglysoberand，shrewd。SheturnedaboutandfixedonCarrieaverysearching，eye。 “Well，“shesaid，“youngwoman，whatcanIdoforyou？” “AreyouMrs。Bermudez？” “Yes。” “Well，“saidCarrie，hesitatinghowtobegin，“doyougetplaces，forpersonsuponthestage？” “Yes。” “Couldyougetmeone？” “Haveyoueverhadanyexperience？” “Averylittle，“saidCarrie。 “Whomdidyouplaywith？” “Oh，withnoone，“saidCarrie。”Itwasjustashowgotten——“ “Oh，Isee，“saidthewoman，interruptingher。”No，Idon’tknow，ofanythingnow。” Carrie’scountenancefell。 “YouwanttogetsomeNewYorkexperience，“concludedtheaffable，Mrs。Bermudez。”We’lltakeyourname，though。” Carriestoodlookingwhiletheladyretiredtoheroffice。 “Whatisyouraddress？”inquiredayoungladybehindthecounter，takingupthecurtailedconversation。 “Mrs。GeorgeWheeler，“saidCarrie，movingovertowhereshewas，writing。Thewomanwroteheraddressinfullandthenallowed，hertodepartatherleisure。 SheencounteredaverysimilarexperienceintheofficeofMr。 Jenks，onlyhevarieditbysayingattheclose：“Ifyoucould，playatsomelocalhouse，orhadaprogrammewithyournameon，it，Imightdosomething。” Inthethirdplacetheindividualasked： “Whatsortofworkdoyouwanttodo？” “Whatdoyoumean？”saidCarrie。 “Well，doyouwanttogetinacomedyoronthevaudevilleorin，thechorus？” “Oh，I’dliketogetapartinaplay，“saidCarrie。 “Well，“saidtheman，“it’llcostyousomethingtodothat。” “Howmuch？”saidCarrie，who，ridiculousasitmayseem，hadnot，thoughtofthisbefore。 “Well，that’sforyoutosay，“heansweredshrewdly。 Carrielookedathimcuriously。Shehardlyknewhowtocontinue，theinquiry。 “CouldyougetmeapartifIpaid？” “Ifwedidn’tyou’dgetyourmoneyback。” “Oh，“shesaid。 Theagentsawhewasdealingwithaninexperiencedsoul，and，continuedaccordingly。 “You’dwanttodepositfiftydollars，anyway。Noagentwould，troubleaboutyouforlessthanthat。” Carriesawalight。 “Thankyou，“shesaid。”I’llthinkaboutit。” Shestartedtogo，andthenbethoughtherself。 “HowsoonwouldIgetaplace？”sheasked。 “Well，that’shardtosay，“saidtheman。”Youmightgetonein，aweek，oritmightbeamonth。You’dgetthefirstthingthat，wethoughtyoucoulddo。” “Isee，“saidCarrie，andthen，half-smilingtobeagreeable，she，walkedout。 Theagentstudiedamoment，andthensaidtohimself： “It’sfunnyhowanxiousthesewomenaretogetonthestage。” Carriefoundamplefoodforreflectioninthefifty-dollar，proposition。”Maybethey’dtakemymoneyandnotgiveme，anything，“shethought。Shehadsomejewelry——adiamondringand，pinandseveralotherpieces。Shecouldgetfiftydollarsfor，thoseifshewenttoapawnbroker。 Hurstwoodwashomebeforeher。Hehadnotthoughtshewouldbe，solongseeking。 “Well？”hesaid，notventuringtoaskwhatnews。 “Ididn’tfindoutanythingto-day，“saidCarrie，takingoffher，gloves。”Theyallwantmoneytogetyouaplace。” “Howmuch？”askedHurstwood。 “Fiftydollars。” “Theydon’twantanything，dothey？” “Oh，they’relikeeverybodyelse。Youcan’ttellwhetherthey’d，evergetyouanythingafteryoudidpaythem。” “Well，Iwouldn’tputupfiftyonthatbasis，“saidHurstwood，as，ifheweredeciding，moneyinhand。 “Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie。”IthinkI’lltrysomeofthe，managers。” Hurstwoodheardthis，deadtothehorrorofit。Herockeda，littletoandfro，andchewedathisfinger。Itseemedallvery，naturalinsuchextremestates。Hewoulddobetterlateron。 ChapterXXXVIII INELFLANDDISPORTING——THEGRIMWORLDWITHOUT WhenCarrierenewedhersearch，asshedidthenextday，goingto，theCasino，shefoundthatintheoperachorus，asinother，fields，employmentisdifficulttosecure。Girlswhocanstand，inalineandlookprettyareasnumerousaslabourerswhocan，swingapick。Shefoundtherewasnodiscriminationbetweenone，andtheotherofapplicants，saveasregardsaconventional，standardofprettinessandform。Theirownopinionorknowledge，oftheirabilitywentfornothing。 “WhereshallIfindMr。Gray？”sheaskedofasulkydoormanat，thestageentranceoftheCasino。 “Youcan’tseehimnow;he’sbusy。” “DoyouknowwhenIcanseehim？” “Gotanappointmentwithhim？” “No。” “Well，you’llhavetocallathisoffice。” “Oh，dear！”exclaimedCarrie。”Whereishisoffice？” Hegaveherthenumber。 Sheknewtherewasnoneedofcallingtherenow。Hewouldnotbe，in。Nothingremainedbuttoemploytheintermediatehoursin，search。 Thedismalstoryofventuresinotherplacesisquicklytold。 Mr。Dalysawnoonesavebyappointment。Carriewaitedanhour，inadingyoffice，quiteinspiteofobstacles，tolearnthis，factoftheplacid，indifferentMr。Dorney。 “Youwillhavetowriteandaskhimtoseeyou。” Soshewentaway。 AttheEmpireTheatreshefoundahiveofpeculiarlylistlessand，indifferentindividuals。Everythingornatelyupholstered，everythingcarefullyfinished，everythingremarkablyreserved。 AttheLyceumsheenteredoneofthosesecluded，under-stairway，closets，beruggedandbepaneled，whichcausesonetofeelthe，greatnessofallpositionsofauthority。Herewasreserveitself，doneintoabox-officeclerk，adoorman，andanassistant，gloryingintheirfinepositions。 “Ah，beveryhumblenow——veryhumbleindeed。Telluswhatitis，yourequire。Tellitquickly，nervously，andwithoutavestige，ofself-respect。Ifnotroubletousinanyway，wemayseewhat，wecando。” ThiswastheatmosphereoftheLyceum——theattitude，forthat，matter，ofeverymanagerialofficeinthecity。Theselittle，proprietorsofbusinessesarelordsindeedontheirownground。 Carriecameawaywearily，somewhatmoreabashedforherpains。 Hurstwoodheardthedetailsofthewearyandunavailingsearch，thatevening。 “Ididn’tgettoseeanyone，“saidCarrie。”Ijustwalked，and，walked，andwaitedaround。” Hurstwoodonlylookedather。 “Isupposeyouhavetohavesomefriendsbeforeyoucangetin，“ sheadded，disconsolately。 Hurstwoodsawthedifficultyofthisthing，andyetitdidnot，seemsoterrible。Carriewastiredanddispirited，butnowshe，couldrest。Viewingtheworldfromhisrocking-chair，its，bitternessdidnotseemtoapproachsorapidly。To-morrowwas，anotherday。 To-morrowcame，andthenext，andthenext。 CarriesawthemanagerattheCasinoonce。 “Comearound，“hesaid，“thefirstofnextweek。Imaymakesome，changesthen。” Hewasalargeandcorpulentindividual，surfeitedwithgood，clothesandgoodeating，whojudgedwomenasanotherwould，horseflesh。Carriewasprettyandgraceful。Shemightbeputin，evenifshedidnothaveanyexperience。Oneoftheproprietors，hadsuggestedthatthechoruswasalittleweakonlooks。 Thefirstofnextweekwassomedaysoffyet。Thefirstofthe，monthwasdrawingnear。Carriebegantoworryasshehadnever，worriedbefore。 “Doyoureallylookforanythingwhenyougoout？”sheasked，Hurstwoodonemorningasaclimaxtosomepainfulthoughtsofher，own。 “OfcourseIdo，“hesaidpettishly，troublingonlyalittleover，thedisgraceoftheinsinuation。 “I’dtakeanything，“shesaid，“forthepresent。Itwillsoonbe，thefirstofthemonthagain。” Shelookedthepictureofdespair。 Hurstwoodquitreadinghispaperandchangedhisclothes。 “Hewouldlookforsomething，“hethought。”Hewouldgoandsee，ifsomebrewerycouldn’tgethiminsomewhere。Yes，hewould，takeapositionasbartender，ifhecouldgetit。” Itwasthesamesortofpilgrimagehehadmadebefore。Oneor，twoslightrebuffs，andthebravadodisappeared。 “Nouse，“hethought。”Imightaswellgoonbackhome。” Nowthathismoneywassolow，hebegantoobservehisclothes，andfeelthatevenhisbestoneswerebeginningtolook，commonplace。Thiswasabitterthought。 Carriecameinafterhedid。 “Iwenttoseesomeofthevarietymanagers，“shesaid，aimlessly。”Youhavetohaveanact。Theydon’twantanybody，thathasn’t。” “Isawsomeofthebrewerypeopleto-day，“saidHurstwood。”One，mantoldmehe’dtrytomakeaplaceformeintwoorthree，weeks。” InthefaceofsomuchdistressonCarrie’spart，hehadtomake，someshowing，anditwasthushedidso。Itwaslassitude’s，apologytoenergy。 MondayCarriewentagaintotheCasino。 “DidItellyoutocomearoundtoday？”saidthemanager，looking，heroverasshestoodbeforehim。 “Yousaidthefirstoftheweek，“saidCarrie，greatlyabashed。 “Everhadanyexperience？”heaskedagain，almostseverely。 Carrieownedtoignorance。 Helookedheroveragainashestirredamongsomepapers。Hewas，secretlypleasedwiththispretty，disturbed-lookingyoungwoman。 “Comearoundtothetheatreto-morrowmorning。” Carrie’sheartboundedtoherthroat。 “Iwill，“shesaidwithdifficulty。Shecouldseehewantedher，andturnedtogo。 “Wouldhereallyputhertowork？Oh，blessedfortune，couldit，be？” Alreadythehardrumbleofthecitythroughtheopenwindows，becamepleasant。 Asharpvoiceansweredhermentalinterrogation，drivingawayall，immediatefearsonthatscore。 “Besureyou’retherepromptly，“themanagersaidroughly。 “You’llbedroppedifyou’renot。” Carriehastenedaway。ShedidnotquarrelnowwithHurstwood’s，idleness。Shehadaplace——shehadaplace！Thissanginher，ears。 InherdelightshewasalmostanxioustotellHurstwood。But，as，shewalkedhomeward，andhersurveyofthefactsofthecase，becamelarger，shebegantothinkoftheanomalyofherfinding，workinseveralweeksandhislounginginidlenessforanumber，ofmonths。 “Whydon’thegetsomething？”sheopenlysaidtoherself。”IfI canhesurelyoughtto。Itwasn’tveryhardforme。” Sheforgotheryouthandherbeauty。Thehandicapofageshedid，not，inherenthusiasm，perceive。 Thus，ever，thevoiceofsuccess。 Still，shecouldnotkeephersecret。Shetriedtobecalmand，indifferent，butitwasapalpablesham。 “Well？”hesaid，seeingherrelievedface。 “Ihaveaplace。” “Youhave？”hesaid，breathingabetterbreath。 “Yes。” “Whatsortofaplaceisit？”heasked，feelinginhisveinsas，ifnowhemightgetsomethinggoodalso。 “Inthechorus，“sheanswered。 “IsittheCasinoshowyoutoldmeabout？” “Yes，“sheanswered。”Ibeginrehearsingto-morrow。” TherewasmoreexplanationvolunteeredbyCarrie，becauseshewas，happy。AtlastHurstwoodsaid： “Doyouknowhowmuchyou’llget？” “No，Ididn’twanttoask，“saidCarrie。”Iguesstheypay，twelveorfourteendollarsaweek。” “Aboutthat，Iguess，“saidHurstwood。