Carrielookedandbeheldanewcontractmadeoutliketheother，one，withtheexceptionofthenewfiguresofsalaryandtime。
Withahandtremblingfromexcitementsheaffixedhername。
“Onehundredandfiftyaweek！”shemurmured，whenshewasagain，alone。Shefound，afterall——aswhatmillionairehasnot？——that，therewasnorealising，inconsciousness，themeaningoflarge，sums。Itwasonlyashimmering，glitteringphraseinwhichlaya，worldofpossibilities。
Downinathird-rateBleeckerStreethotel，thebrooding，HurstwoodreadthedramaticitemcoveringCarrie’ssuccess，withoutatfirstrealisingwhowasmeant。Thensuddenlyitcame，tohimandhereadthewholethingoveragain。
“That’sher，allright，Iguess，“hesaid。
Thenhelookedaboutuponadingy，moth-eatenhotellobby。
“Iguessshe’sstruckit，“hethought，apictureoftheold，shiny，plush-coveredworldcomingback，withitslights，its，ornaments，itscarriages，andflowers。Ah，shewasinthewalled，citynow！Itssplendidgateshadopened，admittingherfroma，cold，drearyoutside。Sheseemedacreatureafaroff——likeevery，othercelebrityhehadknown。
“Well，letherhaveit，“hesaid。”Iwon’tbotherher。”
Itwasthegrimresolutionofabent，bedraggled，butunbroken，pride。
ChapterXLIV
ANDTHISISNOTELFLAND——WHATGOLDWILLNOTBUY
WhenCarriegotbackonthestage，shefoundthatovernighther，dressing-roomhadbeenchanged。
“Youaretousethisroom，MissMadenda，“saidoneofthestage，lackeys。
Nolongeranyneedofclimbingseveralflightsofstepstoa，smallcoopsharedwithanother。Instead，acomparativelylarge，andcommodiouschamberwithconveniencesnotenjoyedbythesmall，fryoverhead。Shebreatheddeeplyandwithdelight。Her，sensationsweremorephysicalthanmental。Infact，shewas，scarcelythinkingatall。Heartandbodywerehavingtheirsay。
Graduallythedeferenceandcongratulationgaveheramental，appreciationofherstate。Shewasnolongerordered，but，requested，andthatpolitely。Theothermembersofthecast，lookedatherenviouslyasshecameoutarrayedinhersimple，habit，whichsheworeallthroughtheplay。Allthosewhohad，supposedlybeenherequalsandsuperiorsnowsmiledthesmileof，sociability，asmuchastosay：“Howfriendlywehavealways，been。”Onlythestarcomedianwhoseparthadbeensodeeply，injuredstalkedbyhimself。Figuratively，hecouldnotkissthe，handthatsmotehim。
Doinghersimplepart，Carriegraduallyrealisedthemeaningof，theapplausewhichwasforher，anditwassweet。Shefelt，mildlyguiltyofsomething——perhapsunworthiness。Whenher，associatesaddressedherinthewingssheonlysmiledweakly。
Theprideanddaringofplacewerenotforher。Itneveronce，crossedhermindtobereservedorhaughty——tobeotherthanshe，hadbeen。AftertheperformancessherodetoherroomwithLola，inacarriageprovided。
Thencameaweekinwhichthefirstfruitsofsuccesswere，offeredtoherlips——bowlafterbowl。Itdidnotmatterthather，splendidsalaryhadnotbegun。Theworldseemedsatisfiedwith，thepromise。Shebegantogetlettersandcards。AMr。Withers——
whomshedidnotknowfromAdam——havinglearnedbysomehookor，crookwheresheresided，bowedhimselfpolitelyin。
“Youwillexcusemeforintruding，“hesaid;“buthaveyoubeen，thinkingofchangingyourapartments？”
“Ihadn’tthoughtofit，“returnedCarrie。
“Well，IamconnectedwiththeWellington——thenewhotelon，Broadway。Youhaveprobablyseennoticesofitinthepapers。”
Carrierecognisedthenameasstandingforoneofthenewestand，mostimposinghostelries。Shehadhearditspokenofashavinga，splendidrestaurant。
“Justso，“wentonMr。Withers，acceptingheracknowledgmentof，familiarity。”Wehavesomeveryelegantroomsatpresentwhich，wewouldliketohaveyoulookat，ifyouhavenotmadeupyour，mindwhereyouintendtoresideforthesummer。Ourapartments，areperfectineverydetail——hotandcoldwater，privatebaths，specialhallserviceforeveryfloor，elevators，andallthat。
Youknowwhatourrestaurantis。”
Carrielookedathimquietly。Shewaswonderingwhetherhetook，hertobeamillionaire。
“Whatareyourrates？”sheinquired。
“Well，now，thatiswhatIcametotalkwithyouprivatelyabout。
Ourregularratesareanywherefromthreetofiftydollarsa，day。”
“Mercy！”interruptedCarrie。”Icouldn’tpayanysuchrateas，that。”
“Iknowhowyoufeelaboutit，“exclaimedMr。Withers，halting。
“Butjustletmeexplain。Isaidthoseareourregularrates。
Likeeveryotherhotelwemakespecialoneshowever。Possibly，youhavenotthoughtaboutit，butyournameisworthsomething，tous。”
“Oh！”ejaculatedCarrie，seeingataglance。
“Ofcourse。Everyhoteldependsuponthereputeofitspatrons。
Awell-knownactresslikeyourself，“andhebowedpolitely，while，Carrieflushed，“drawsattentiontothehotel，and——althoughyou，maynotbelieveit——patrons。”
“Oh，yes，“returnedCarrie，vacantly，tryingtoarrangethis，curiouspropositioninhermind。
“Now，“continuedMr。Withers，swayinghisderbyhatsoftlyand，beatingoneofhispolishedshoesuponthefloor，“Iwantto，arrange，ifpossible，tohaveyoucomeandstopatthe，Wellington。Youneednottroubleaboutterms。Infact，weneed，hardlydiscussthem。Anythingwilldoforthesummer——amere，figure——anythingthatyouthinkyoucouldaffordtopay。”
Carriewasabouttointerrupt，buthegavehernochance。
“Youcancometo-dayorto-morrow——theearlierthebetter——andwe，willgiveyouyourchoiceofnice，light，outsiderooms——thevery，bestwehave。”
“You’reverykind，“saidCarrie，touchedbytheagent’sextreme，affability。”Ishouldliketocomeverymuch。Iwouldwantto，paywhatisright，however。Ishouldn’twantto——“
“Youneednottroubleaboutthatatall，“interruptedMr。
Withers。”Wecanarrangethattoyourentiresatisfactionatany，time。Ifthreedollarsadayissatisfactorytoyou，itwillbe，sotous。Allyouhavetodoistopaythatsumtotheclerkat，theendoftheweekormonth，justasyouwish，andhewillgive，youareceiptforwhattheroomswouldcostifchargedforatour，regularrates。”
Thespeakerpaused。
“Supposeyoucomeandlookattherooms，“headded。
“I’dbegladto，“saidCarrie，“butIhavearehearsalthis，morning。”
“Ididnotmeanatonce，“hereturned。”Anytimewilldo。Would，thisafternoonbeinconvenient？”
“Notatall，“saidCarrie。
SuddenlysherememberedLola，whowasoutatthetime。
“Ihavearoom-mate，“sheadded，“whowillhavetogowhereverI
do。Iforgotaboutthat。”
“Oh，verywell，“saidMr。Withers，blandly。”Itisforyouto，saywhomyouwantwithyou。AsIsay，allthatcanbearranged，tosuityourself。”
Hebowedandbackedtowardthedoor。
“Atfour，then，wemayexpectyou？”
“Yes，“saidCarrie。
“Iwillbetheretoshowyou，“andsoMr。Witherswithdrew。
AfterrehearsalCarrieinformedLola。
“Didtheyreally？”exclaimedthelatter，thinkingofthe，Wellingtonasagroupofmanagers。”Isn’tthatfine？Oh，jolly！
It’ssoswell。That’swherewedinedthatnightwewentwith，thosetwoCushingboys。Don’tyouknow？”
“Iremember，“saidCarrie。
“Oh，it’sasfineasitcanbe。”
“We’dbetterbegoingupthere，“observedCarrielaterinthe，afternoon。
TheroomswhichMr。WithersdisplayedtoCarrieandLolawere，threeandbath——asuiteontheparlourfloor。Theyweredonein，chocolateanddarkred，withrugsandhangingstomatch。Three，windowslookeddownintobusyBroadwayontheeast，threeintoa，sidestreetwhichcrossedthere。Thereweretwolovelybedrooms，setwithbrassandwhiteenamelbeds，whiteribbon-trimmedchairs，andchiffonierstomatch。Inthethirdroom，orparlour，wasa，piano，aheavypianolamp，withashadeofgorgeouspattern，a，librarytable，severalhugeeasyrockers，somedadobookshelves，andagiltcuriocase，filledwithoddities。Pictureswereupon，thewalls，softTurkishpillowsuponthedivanfootstoolsof，brownplushuponthefloor。Suchaccommodationswouldordinarily，costahundreddollarsaweek。
“Oh，lovely！”exclaimedLola，walkingabout。
“Itiscomfortable，“saidCarrie，whowasliftingalacecurtain，andlookingdownintocrowdedBroadway。
Thebathwasahandsomeaffair，doneinwhiteenamel，witha，large，blue-borderedstonetubandnickeltrimmings。Itwas，brightandcommodious，withabevelledmirrorsetinthewallat，oneendandincandescentlightsarrangedinthreeplaces。
“Doyoufindthesesatisfactory？”observedMr。Withers。
“Oh，very，“answeredCarrie。
“Well，then，anytimeyoufinditconvenienttomovein，theyare，ready。Theboywillbringyouthekeysatthedoor。”
Carrienotedtheelegantlycarpetedanddecoratedhall，the，marbledlobby，andshowywaiting-room。Itwassuchaplaceas，shehadoftendreamedofoccupying。
“Iguesswe’dbettermoverightaway，don’tyouthinkso？”she，observedtoLola，thinkingofthecommonplacechamberin，SeventeenthStreet。
“Oh，byallmeans，“saidthelatter。
Thenextdayhertrunksleftforthenewabode。
Dressing，afterthematineeonWednesday，aknockcameather，dressing-roomdoor。
Carrielookedatthecardhandedbytheboyandsufferedashock，ofsurprise。
“TellherI’llberightout，“shesaidsoftly。Then，lookingat，thecard，added：“Mrs。Vance。”
“Why，youlittlesinner，“thelatterexclaimed，asshesawCarrie，comingtowardheracrossthenowvacantstage。”Howintheworld，didthishappen？”
Carrielaughedmerrily。Therewasnotraceofembarrassmentin，herfriend’smanner。Youwouldhavethoughtthatthelong，separationhadcomeaboutaccidentally。
“Idon’tknow，“returnedCarrie，warming，inspiteofherfirst，troubledfeelings，towardthishandsome，good-naturedyoung，matron。
“Well，youknow，IsawyourpictureintheSundaypaper，butyour，namethrewmeoff。Ithoughtitmustbeyouorsomebodythat，lookedjustlikeyou，andIsaid：’Well，now，Iwillgoright，downthereandsee。’Iwasnevermoresurprisedinmylife。How，areyou，anyway？”
“Oh，verywell，“returnedCarrie。”Howhaveyoubeen？”
“Fine。Butaren’tyouasuccess！Dear，oh！Allthepapers，talkingaboutyou。Ishouldthinkyouwouldbejusttooproudto，breathe。Iwasalmostafraidtocomebackherethisafternoon。”
“Oh，nonsense，“saidCarrie，blushing。”YouknowI’dbegladto，seeyou。”
“Well，anyhow，hereyouare。Can’tyoucomeupandtakedinner，withmenow？Whereareyoustopping？”
“AttheWellington，“saidCarrie，whopermittedherselfatouch，ofprideintheacknowledgment。
“Oh，areyou？”exclaimedtheother，uponwhomthenamewasnot，withoutitspropereffect。
Tactfully，Mrs。VanceavoidedthesubjectofHurstwood，ofwhom，shecouldnothelpthinking。NodoubtCarriehadlefthim。That，muchshesurmised。
“Oh，Idon’tthinkIcan，“saidCarrie，“to-night。Ihaveso，littletime。Imustbebackhereby7。30。Won’tyoucomeand，dinewithme？”
“I’dbedelighted，butIcan’tto-night，“saidMrs。Vance，studyingCarrie’sfineappearance。Thelatter’sgoodfortune，madeherseemmorethaneverworthyanddelightfulintheothers，eyes。”Ipromisedfaithfullytobehomeatsix。”Glancingatthe，smallgoldwatchpinnedtoherbosom，sheadded：“Imustbe，going，too。Tellmewhenyou’recomingup，ifatall。”
“Why，anytimeyoulike，“saidCarrie。
“Well，to-morrowthen。I’mlivingattheChelseanow。”
“Movedagain？”exclaimedCarrie，laughing。
“Yes。YouknowIcan’tstaysixmonthsinoneplace。Ijust，havetomove。Remembernow——half-pastfive。”
“Iwon’tforget，“saidCarrie，castingaglanceatherasshe，wentaway。Thenitcametoherthatshewasasgoodasthis，womannow——perhapsbetter。Somethingintheother’ssolicitude，andinterestmadeherfeelasifsheweretheonetocondescend。
Now，asoneachprecedingday，letterswerehandedherbythe，doormanattheCasino。Thiswasafeaturewhichhadrapidly，developedsinceMonday。Whattheycontainedshewellknew。MASH
NOTESwereoldaffairsintheirmildestform。Sheremembered，havingreceivedherfirstonefarbackinColumbiaCity。Since，then，asachorusgirl，shehadreceivedothers——gentlemenwho，prayedforanengagement。Theywerecommonsportbetweenherand，Lola，whoreceivedsomealso。Theybothfrequentlymadelightof，them。
Now，however，theycamethickandfast。Gentlemenwithfortunes，didnothesitatetonote，asanadditiontotheirownamiable，collectionofvirtues，thattheyhadtheirhorsesandcarriages。
Thusone：
“Ihaveamillioninmyownright。Icouldgiveyouevery，luxury。Thereisn’tanythingyoucouldaskforthatyoucouldn’t，have。Isaythis，notbecauseIwanttospeakofmymoney，but，becauseIloveyouandwishtogratifyyoureverydesire。Itis，lovethatpromptsmetowrite。Willyounotgivemeonehalf-
hourinwhichtopleadmycause？”
SuchoftheselettersascamewhileCarriewasstillinthe，SeventeenthStreetplacewerereadwithmoreinterest——though，neverdelight——thanthosewhicharrivedaftershewasinstalled，inherluxuriousquartersattheWellington。Eventhereher，vanity——orthatself-appreciationwhich，initsmorerabidform，iscalledvanity——wasnotsufficientlycloyedtomakethese，thingswearisome。Adulation，beingnewinanyform，pleasedher。
Onlyshewassufficientlywisetodistinguishbetweenherold，conditionandhernewone。Shehadnothadfameormoneybefore。
Nowtheyhadcome。Shehadnothadadulationandaffectionate，propositionsbefore。Nowtheyhadcome。Wherefore？Shesmiled，tothinkthatmenshouldsuddenlyfindhersomuchmore，attractive。Intheleastwayitincitedhertocoolnessand，indifference。
“Dolookhere，“sheremarkedtoLola。”Seewhatthismansays：
’Ifyouwillonlydeigntograntmeonehalf-hour，’“she，repeated，withanimitationoflanguor。”Theidea。Aren’tmen，silly？”
“Hemusthavelotsofmoney，thewayhetalks，“observedLola。
“That’swhattheyallsay，“saidCarrie，innocently。
“Whydon’tyouseehim，“suggestedLola，“andhearwhathehasto，say？”
“IndeedIwon’t，“saidCarrie。”Iknowwhathe’dsay。Idon’t，wanttomeetanybodythatway。”
Lolalookedatherwithbig，merryeyes。
“Hecouldn’thurtyou，“shereturned。”Youmighthavesomefun，withhim。”
Carrieshookherhead。
“You’reawfullyqueer，“returnedthelittle，blue-eyedsoldier。
Thuscrowdedfortune。Forthiswholeweek，thoughherlarge，salaryhadnotyetarrived，itwasasiftheworldunderstoodand，trustedher。Withoutmoney——ortherequisitesum，atleast——she，enjoyedtheluxurieswhichmoneycouldbuy。Forherthedoorsof，fineplacesseemedtoopenquitewithouttheasking。These，palatialchambers，howmarvellouslytheycametoher。The，elegantapartmentsofMrs。VanceintheChelsea——thesewerehers。
Mensentflowers，lovenotes，offersoffortune。Andstillher，dreamsranriot。Theonehundredandfifty！theonehundredand，fifty！WhatadoortoanAladdin’scaveitseemedtobe。Each，day，herheadalmostturnedbydevelopments，herfanciesofwhat，herfortunemustbe，withamplemoney，grewandmultiplied。She，conceivedofdelightswhichwerenot——sawlightsofjoythat，neverwereonlandorsea。Then，atlast，afteraworldof，anticipation，cameherfirstinstallmentofonehundredandfifty，dollars。
Itwaspaidtoheringreenbacks——threetwenties，sixtens，and，sixfives。Thuscollecteditmadeaveryconvenientroll。It，wasaccompaniedbyasmileandasalutationfromthecashierwho，paidit。
“Ah，yes，“saidthelatter，whensheapplied;“MissMadenda——one，hundredandfiftydollars。Quiteasuccesstheshowseemsto，havemade。”
“Yes，indeed，“returnedCarrie。
Rightaftercameoneoftheinsignificantmembersofthecompany，andsheheardthechangedtoneofaddress。
“Howmuch？”saidthesamecashier，sharply。One，suchasshehad，onlyrecentlybeen，waswaitingforhermodestsalary。Ittook，herbacktothefewweeksinwhichshehadcollected——orrather，hadreceived——almostwiththeairofadomestic，four-fiftyper，weekfromalordlyforemaninashoefactory——amanwho，in，distributingtheenvelopes，hadthemannerofaprincedolingout，favourstoaservilegroupofpetitioners。Sheknewthatoutin，Chicagothisverydaythesamefactorychamberwasfullofpoor，homely-cladgirlsworkinginlonglinesatclatteringmachines;
thatatnoontheywouldeatamiserablelunchinahalf-hour;
thatSaturdaytheywouldgather，astheyhadwhenshewasoneof，them，andacceptthesmallpayforworkahundredtimesharder，thanshewasnowdoing。Oh，itwassoeasynow！Theworldwasso，rosyandbright。Shefeltsothrilledthatshemustneedswalk，backtothehoteltothink，wonderingwhatsheshoulddo。
Itdoesnottakemoneylongtomakeplainitsimpotence，providingthedesiresareintherealmofaffection。Withher，onehundredandfiftyinhand，Carriecouldthinkofnothing，particularlytodo。Initself，asatangible，apparentthing，whichshecouldtouchandlookupon，itwasadivertingthingfor，afewdays，butthissoonpassed。Herhotelbilldidnotrequire，itsuse。Herclotheshadforsometimebeenwhollysatisfactory。
Anotherdayortwoandshewouldreceiveanotherhundredand，fifty。Itbegantoappearasifthiswerenotsostartlingly，necessarytomaintainherpresentstate。Ifshewantedtodo，anythingbetterormovehighershemusthavemore——agreatdeal，more。
Nowacriticcalledtogetuponeofthosetinselinterviews，whichshinewithcleverobservations，showupthewitofcritics，displaythefollyofcelebrities，anddivertthepublic。He，likedCarrie，andsaidso，publicly——adding，however，thatshe，wasmerelypretty，good-natured，andlucky。Thiscutlikea，knife。The“Herald，“gettingupanentertainmentforthebenefit，ofitsfreeicefund，didherthehonourtobeghertoappear，alongwithcelebritiesfornothing。Shewasvisitedbyayoung，author，whohadaplaywhichhethoughtshecouldproduce。Alas，shecouldnotjudge。Ithurthertothinkit。Thenshefound，shemustputhermoneyinthebankforsafety，andsomoving，finallyreachedtheplacewhereitstruckherthatthedoorto，life’sperfectenjoymentwasnotopen。
Graduallyshebegantothinkitwasbecauseitwassummer。
Nothingwasgoingonmuchsavesuchentertainmentsastheonein，whichshewasthestar。FifthAvenuewasboardedupwherethe，richhaddesertedtheirmansions。MadisonAvenuewaslittle，better。Broadwaywasfullofloafingthespiansinsearchofnext，season’sengagements。Thewholecitywasquietandhernights，weretakenupwithherwork。Hencethefeelingthattherewas，littletodo。
“Idon’tknow，“shesaidtoLolaoneday，sittingatoneofthe，windowswhichlookeddownintoBroadway，“Igetlonely;don’t，you？”
“No，“saidLola，“notveryoften。Youwon’tgoanywhere。That’s，what’sthematterwithyou。”
“WherecanIgo？”
“Why，there’relotsofplaces，“returnedLola，whowasthinking，ofherownlightsometourneyswiththegayyouths。”Youwon’tgo，withanybody。”
“Idon’twanttogowiththesepeoplewhowritetome。Iknow，whatkindtheyare。”
“Yououghtn’ttobelonely，“saidLola，thinkingofCarrie’s，success。”There’relotswouldgivetheirearstobeinyour，shoes。”
Carrielookedoutagainatthepassingcrowd。
“Idon’tknow，“shesaid。
Unconsciouslyheridlehandswerebeginningtoweary。
ChapterXLV
CURIOUSSHIFTSOFTHEPOOR
ThegloomyHurstwood，sittinginhischeaphotel，wherehehad，takenrefugewithseventydollars——thepriceofhisfurniture——
betweenhimandnothing，sawahotsummeroutandacoolfallin，reading。Hewasnotwhollyindifferenttothefactthathis，moneywasslippingaway。Asfiftycentsafterfiftycentswere，paidoutforaday’slodginghebecameuneasy，andfinallytooka，cheaperroom——thirty-fivecentsaday——tomakehismoneylast，longer。FrequentlyhesawnoticesofCarrie。Herpicturewasin，the“World“onceortwice，andanold“Herald“hefoundina，chairinformedhimthatshehadrecentlyappearedwithsome，othersatabenefitforsomethingorother。Hereadthesethings，withmingledfeelings。Eachoneseemedtoputherfartherand，fartherawayintoarealmwhichbecamemoreimposingasit，recededfromhim。Onthebillboards，too，hesawapretty，poster，showingherastheQuakerMaid，demureanddainty。More，thanoncehestoppedandlookedatthese，gazingatthepretty，faceinasullensortofway。Hisclotheswereshabby，andhe，presentedamarkedcontrasttoallthatshenowseemedtobe。
Somehow，solongasheknewshewasattheCasino，thoughhehad，neveranyintentionofgoingnearher，therewasasubconscious，comfortforhim——hewasnotquitealone。Theshowseemedsucha，fixturethat，afteramonthortwo，hebegantotakeitfor，grantedthatitwasstillrunning。InSeptemberitwentonthe，roadandhedidnotnoticeit。Whenallbuttwentydollarsof，hismoneywasgone，hemovedtoafifteen-centlodging-housein，theBowery，wheretherewasabarelounging-roomfilledwith，tablesandbenchesaswellassomechairs。Herehispreference，wastoclosehiseyesanddreamofotherdays，ahabitwhichgrew，uponhim。Itwasnotsleepatfirst，butamentalhearkening，backtoscenesandincidentsinhisChicagolife。Asthepresent，becamedarker，thepastgrewbrighter，andallthatconcernedit，stoodinrelief。
Hewasunconsciousofjusthowmuchthishabithadholdofhim，untilonedayhefoundhislipsrepeatinganoldanswerhehad，madetooneofhisfriends。TheywereinFitzgeraldandMoy’s。
Itwasasifhestoodinthedoorofhiselegantlittleoffice，comfortablydressed，talkingtoSagarMorrisonaboutthevalueof，SouthChicagorealestateinwhichthelatterwasaboutto，invest。
“Howwouldyouliketocomeinonthatwithme？”heheard，Morrisonsay。
“Notme，“heanswered，justashehadyearsbefore。”Ihavemy，handsfullnow。”
Themovementofhislipsarousedhim。Hewonderedwhetherhehad，reallyspoken。Thenexttimehenoticedanythingofthesorthe，reallydidtalk。
“Whydon’tyoujump，youbloodyfool？”hewassaying。”Jump！”
ItwasafunnyEnglishstoryhewastellingtoacompanyof，actors。Evenashisvoicerecalledhim，hewassmiling。A
crustyoldcodger，sittingnearby，seemeddisturbed;atleast，hestaredinamostpointedway。Hurstwoodstraightenedup。The，humourofthememoryfledinaninstantandhefeltashamed。For，relief，helefthischairandstrolledoutintothestreets。
Oneday，lookingdownthead。columnsofthe“EveningWorld，“he，sawwhereanewplaywasattheCasino。Instantly，hecametoa，mentalhalt。Carriehadgone！Herememberedseeingaposterof，heronlyyesterday，butnodoubtitwasoneleftuncoveredbythe，newsigns。Curiously，thisfactshookhimup。Hehadalmostto，admitthatsomehowhewasdependinguponherbeinginthecity。
Nowshewasgone。Hewonderedhowthisimportantfacthad，skippedhim。Goodnessknowswhenshewouldbebacknow。
Impelledbyanervousfear，heroseandwentintothedingyhall，wherehecountedhisremainingmoney，unseen。Therewerebutten，dollarsinall。
Hewonderedhowalltheseotherlodging-housepeoplearoundhim，gotalong。Theydidn’tseemtodoanything。Perhapsthey，begged——unquestionablytheydid。Manywasthedimehehadgiven，tosuchastheyinhisday。Hehadseenothermenaskingfor，moneyonthestreets。Maybehecouldgetsomethatway。There，washorrorinthisthought。
Sittinginthelodging-houseroom，hecametohislastfifty，cents。Hehadsavedandcounteduntilhishealthwasaffected。
Hisstoutnesshadgone。Withit，eventhesemblanceofafitin，hisclothes。Nowhedecidedhemustdosomething，and，walking，about，sawanotherdaygoby，bringinghimdowntohislast，twentycents——notenoughtoeatforthemorrow。
Summoningallhiscourage，hecrossedtoBroadwayanduptothe，BroadwayCentralhotel。Withinablockhehalted，undecided。A
big，heavy-facedporterwasstandingatoneoftheside，entrances，lookingout。Hurstwoodpurposedtoappealtohim。
Walkingstraightup，hewasuponhimbeforehecouldturnaway。
“Myfriend，“hesaid，recognisingeveninhisplighttheman’s，inferiority，“isthereanythingaboutthishotelthatIcouldget，todo？”
Theporterstaredathimthewhilehecontinuedtotalk。
“I’moutofworkandoutofmoneyandI’vegottogetsomething，——
itdoesn’tmatterwhat。Idon’tcaretotalkaboutwhatI’ve，been，butifyou’dtellmehowtogetsomethingtodo，I’dbe，muchobligedtoyou。Itwouldn’tmatterifitonlylastedafew，daysjustnow。I’vegottohavesomething。”
Theporterstillgazed，tryingtolookindifferent。Then，seeing，thatHurstwoodwasabouttogoon，hesaid：
“I’venothingtodowithit。You’llhavetoaskinside。”
Curiously，thisstirredHurstwoodtofurthereffort。
“Ithoughtyoumighttellme。”
Thefellowshookhisheadirritably。
Insidewenttheex-managerandstraighttoanofficeoffthe，clerk’sdesk。Oneofthemanagersofthehotelhappenedtobe，there。Hurstwoodlookedhimstraightintheeye。
“Couldyougivemesomethingtodoforafewdays？”hesaid。
“I’minapositionwhereIhavetogetsomethingatonce。”
Thecomfortablemanagerlookedathim，asmuchastosay：“Well，Ishouldjudgeso。”
“Icamehere，“explainedHurstwood，nervously，“becauseI’vebeen，amanagermyselfinmyday。I’vehadbadluckinawaybutI’m，notheretotellyouthat。Iwantsomethingtodo，ifonlyfora，week。”
Themanimaginedhesawafeverishgleamintheapplicant’seye。
“Whathoteldidyoumanage？”heinquired。
“Itwasn’tahotel，“saidHurstwood。”Iwasmanagerof，FitzgeraldandMoy’splaceinChicagoforfifteenyears。”
“Isthatso？”saidthehotelman。”Howdidyoucometogetout，ofthat？”
ThefigureofHurstwoodwasrathersurprisingincontrasttothe，fact。
“Well，byfoolishnessofmyown。Itisn’tanythingtotalkabout，now。Youcouldfindoutifyouwantedto。I’m’broke’nowand，ifyouwillbelieveme，Ihaven’teatenanythingto-day。”
Thehotelmanwasslightlyinterestedinthisstory。Hecould，hardlytellwhattodowithsuchafigure，andyetHurstwood’s，earnestnessmadehimwishtodosomething。
“CallOlsen，“hesaid，turningtotheclerk。
Inreplytoabellandadisappearinghall-boy，Olsen，thehead，porter，appeared。
“Olsen，“saidthemanager，“isthereanythingdownstairsyou，couldfindforthismantodo？I’dliketogivehimsomething。”
“Idon’tknow，sir，“saidOlsen。”Wehaveaboutallthehelpwe，need。IthinkIcouldfindsomething，sir，though，ifyoulike。”
“Do。TakehimtothekitchenandtellWilsontogivehim，somethingtoeat。”
“Allright，sir，“saidOlsen。
Hurstwoodfollowed。Outofthemanager’ssight，thehead，porter’smannerchanged。
“Idon’tknowwhatthedevilthereistodo，“heobserved。
Hurstwoodsaidnothing。Tohimthebigtrunkhustlerwasa，subjectforprivatecontempt。
“You’retogivethismansomethingtoeat，“heobservedtothe，cook。
ThelatterlookedHurstwoodover，andseeingsomethingkeenand，intellectualinhiseyes，said：
“Well，sitdownoverthere。”
ThuswasHurstwoodinstalledintheBroadwayCentral，butnotfor，long。Hewasinnoshapeormoodtodothescrubworkthat，existsaboutthefoundationofeveryhotel。Nothingbetter，offering，hewassettoaidthefireman，toworkaboutthe，basement，todoanythingandeverythingthatmightoffer。
Porters，cooks，firemen，clerks——allwereoverhim。Moreoverhis，appearancedidnotpleasetheseindividuals——histemperwastoo，lonely——andtheymadeitdisagreeableforhim。
Withthestolidityandindifferenceofdespair，however，he，endureditall，sleepinginanatticattheroofofthehouse，eatingwhatthecookgavehim，acceptingafewdollarsaweek，whichhetriedtosave。Hisconstitutionwasinnoshapeto，endure。
OnedaythefollowingFebruaryhewassentonanerrandtoa，largecoalcompany’soffice。Ithadbeensnowingandthawingand，thestreetsweresloppy。Hesoakedhisshoesinhisprogressand，camebackfeelingdullandweary。Allthenextdayhefelt，unusuallydepressedandsataboutasmuchaspossible，tothe，irritationofthosewhoadmiredenergyinothers。
Intheafternoonsomeboxesweretobemovedtomakeroomfornew，culinarysupplies。Hewasorderedtohandleatruck。
Encounteringabigbox，hecouldnotliftit。
“What’sthematterthere？”saidtheheadporter。”Can’tyou，handleit？”
Hewasstrainingtoliftit，butnowhequit。
“No，“hesaid，weakly。
Themanlookedathimandsawthathewasdeathlypale。
“Notsick，areyou？”heasked。
“IthinkIam，“returnedHurstwood。
“Well，you’dbettergositdown，then。”
Thishedid，butsoongrewrapidlyworse。Itseemedallhecould，dotocrawltohisroom，whereheremainedforaday。
“ThatmanWheeler’ssick，“reportedoneofthelackeystothe，nightclerk。
“What’sthematterwithhim？”
“Idon’tknow。He’sgotahighfever。”
Thehotelphysicianlookedathim。
“BettersendhimtoBellevue，“herecommended。”He’sgot，pneumonia。”
Accordingly，hewascartedaway。
Inthreeweekstheworstwasover，butitwasnearlythefirstof，Maybeforehisstrengthpermittedhimtobeturnedout。Thenhe，wasdischarged。
Nomoreweaklylookingobjecteverstrolledoutintothespring，sunshinethantheoncehale，lustymanager。Allhiscorpulency，hadfled。Hisfacewasthinandpale，hishandswhite，hisbody，flabby。Clothesandall，heweighedbutonehundredandthirty-
fivepounds。Someoldgarmentshadbeengivenhim——acheapbrown，coatandmisfitpairoftrousers。Alsosomechangeandadvice。
Hewastoldtoapplytothecharities。
AgainheresortedtotheBowerylodging-house，broodingover，wheretolook。Fromthisitwasbutasteptobeggary。
“Whatcanamando？”hesaid。”Ican’tstarve。”
HisfirstapplicationwasinsunnySecondAvenue。Awell-dressed，mancameleisurelystrollingtowardhimoutofStuyvesantPark。
Hurstwoodnervedhimselfandsidlednear。
“Wouldyoumindgivingmetencents？”hesaid，directly。”I’min，apositionwhereImustasksomeone。”
Themanscarcelylookedathim，fishedinhisvestpocketand，tookoutadime。
“Thereyouare，“hesaid。
“Muchobliged，“saidHurstwood，softly，buttheotherpaidno，moreattentiontohim。
Satisfiedwithhissuccessandyetashamedofhissituation，he，decidedthathewouldonlyaskfortwenty-fivecentsmore，since，thatwouldbesufficient。Hestrolledaboutsizinguppeople，butitwaslongbeforejusttherightfaceandsituationarrived。
Whenheasked，hewasrefused。Shockedbythisresult，hetook，anhourtorecoverandthenaskedagain。Thistimeanickelwas，givenhim。Bythemostwatchfulefforthedidgettwentycents，more，butitwaspainful。
Thenextdayheresortedtothesameeffort，experiencinga，varietyofrebuffsandoneortwogenerousreceptions。Atlast，itcrossedhismindthattherewasascienceoffaces，andthata，mancouldpicktheliberalcountenanceifhetried。
Itwasnopleasuretohim，however，thisstoppingofpassers-by。
Hesawonemantakenupforitandnowtroubledlestheshouldbe，arrested。Nevertheless，hewenton，vaguelyanticipatingthat，indefinitesomethingwhichisalwaysbetter。
Itwaswithasenseofsatisfaction，then，thathesawannounced，onemorningthereturnoftheCasinoCompany，“withMissCarrie，Madenda。”Hehadthoughtofheroftenenoughindayspast。How，successfulshewas——howmuchmoneyshemusthave！Evennow，however，ittookasevererunofilllucktodecidehimtoappeal，toher。Hewastrulyhungrybeforehesaid：
“I’llaskher。Shewon’trefusemeafewdollars。”
Accordingly，heheadedfortheCasinooneafternoon，passingit，severaltimesinanefforttolocatethestageentrance。Thenhe，satinBryantPark，ablockaway，waiting。”Shecan’trefuseto，helpmealittle，“hekeptsayingtohimself。
Beginningwithhalf-pastsix，hehoveredlikeashadowaboutthe，Thirty-ninthStreetentrance，pretendingalwaystobeahurrying，pedestrianandyetfearfullestheshouldmisshisobject。He，wasslightlynervous，too，nowthattheeventfulhourhad，arrived;butbeingweakandhungry，hisabilitytosufferwas，modified。Atlasthesawthattheactorswerebeginningto，arrive，andhisnervoustensionincreased，untilitseemedasif，hecouldnotstandmuchmore。
OncehethoughthesawCarriecomingandmovedforward，onlyto，seethathewasmistaken。
“Shecan’tbelong，now，“hesaidtohimself，halffearingto，encounterherandequallydepressedatthethoughtthatshemight，havegoneinbyanotherway。Hisstomachwassoemptythatit，ached。
Individualafterindividualpassedhim，nearlyallwelldressed，almostallindifferent。Hesawcoachesrollingby，gentlemen，passingwithladies——theevening’smerrimentwasbeginningin，thisregionoftheatresandhotels。
Suddenlyacoachrolledupandthedriverjumpeddowntoopenthe，door。BeforeHurstwoodcouldact，twoladiesflouncedacrossthe，broadwalkanddisappearedinthestagedoor。Hethoughthesaw，Carrie，butitwassounexpected，soelegantandfaraway，he，couldhardlytell。Hewaitedawhilelonger，growingfeverish，withwant，andthenseeingthatthestagedoornolongeropened，andthatamerryaudiencewasarriving，heconcludeditmusthave，beenCarrieandturnedaway。
“Lord，“hesaid，hasteningoutofthestreetintowhichthemore，fortunatewerepouring，“I’vegottogetsomething。”
Atthathour，whenBroadwayiswonttoassumeitsmost，interestingaspect，apeculiarindividualinvariablytookhis，standatthecornerofTwenty-sixthStreetandBroadway——aspot，whichisalsointersectedbyFifthAvenue。Thiswasthehour，whenthetheatreswerejustbeginningtoreceivetheirpatrons。
Firesignsannouncingthenight’samusementsblazedonevery，hand。Cabsandcarriages，theirlampsgleaminglikeyelloweyes，patteredby。Couplesandpartiesofthreeandfourfreely，mingledinthecommoncrowd，whichpouredbyinathickstream，laughingandjesting。OnFifthAvenuewereloungers——afew，wealthystrollers，agentlemanineveningdresswithhisladyon，hisarm，someclub-menpassingfromonesmoking-roomtoanother。
Acrossthewaythegreathotelsshowedahundredgleaming，windows，theircafesandbilliard-roomsfilledwitha，comfortable，well-dressed，andpleasure-lovingthrong。Allabout，wasthenight，pulsatingwiththethoughtsofpleasureand，exhilaration——thecuriousenthusiasmofagreatcitybentupon，findingjoyinathousanddifferentways。
Thisuniqueindividualwasnolessthananex-soldierturned，religionist，who，havingsufferedthewhipsandprivationsofour，peculiarsocialsystem，hadconcludedthathisdutytotheGod，whichheconceivedlayinaidinghisfellow-man。Theformofaid，whichhechosetoadministerwasentirelyoriginalwithhimself。
Itconsistedofsecuringabedforallsuchhomelesswayfarersas，shouldapplytohimatthisparticularspot，thoughhehad，scarcelythewherewithaltoprovideacomfortablehabitationfor，himself。Takinghisplaceamidthislightsomeatmosphere，he，wouldstand，hisstockyfigurecloakedinagreatcapeovercoat，hisheadprotectedbyabroadslouchhat，awaitingtheapplicants，whohadinvariouswayslearnedthenatureofhischarity。Fora，whilehewouldstandalone，gazinglikeanyidleruponanever-
fascinatingscene。Ontheeveninginquestion，apoliceman，passingsalutedhimas“captain，“inafriendlyway。Anurchin，whohadfrequentlyseenhimbefore，stoppedtogaze。Allothers，tookhimfornothingoutoftheordinary，saveinthematterof，dress，andconceivedofhimasastrangerwhistlingandidling，forhisownamusement。
Asthefirsthalf-hourwaned，certaincharactersappeared。Here，andthereinthepassingcrowdsonemightsee，nowandthen，a，loitereredginginterestedlynear。Aslouchyfigurecrossedthe，oppositecornerandglancedfurtivelyinhisdirection。Another，camedownFifthAvenuetothecornerofTwenty-sixthStreet，took，ageneralsurvey，andhobbledoffagain。Twoorthreenoticeable，BowerytypesedgedalongtheFifthAvenuesideofMadisonSquare，butdidnotventureover。Thesoldier，inhiscapeovercoat，walkedashortlineoftenfeetathiscorner，toandfro，indifferentlywhistling。
Asnineo’clockapproached，someofthehubbuboftheearlier，hourpassed。Theatmosphereofthehotelswasnotsoyouthful。
Theair，too，wascolder。Oneveryhandcuriousfigureswere，moving——watchersandpeepers，withoutanimaginarycircle，which，theyseemedafraidtoenter——adozeninall。Presently，withthe，arrivalofakeenersenseofcold，onefigurecameforward。It，crossedBroadwayfromouttheshadowofTwenty-sixthStreet，and，inahalting，circuitousway，arrivedclosetothewaiting，figure。Therewassomethingshamefacedordiffidentaboutthe，movement，asiftheintentionweretoconcealanyideaof，stoppinguntiltheverylastmoment。Thensuddenly，closetothe，soldier，camethehalt。
Thecaptainlookedinrecognition，buttherewasnoespecial，greeting。Thenewcomernoddedslightlyandmurmuredsomething，likeonewhowaitsforgifts。Theothersimplymotionedto-ward，theedgeofthewalk。
“Standoverthere，“hesaid。
Bythisthespellwasbroken。Evenwhilethesoldierresumedhis，short，solemnwalk，otherfiguresshuffledforward。Theydidnot，somuchasgreettheleader，butjoinedtheone，snifflingand，hitchingandscrapingtheirfeet。
“Gold，ain’tit？”
“I’mgladwinter’sover。”
“Looksasthoughitmightrain。”
Themotleycompanyhadincreasedtoten。Oneortwokneweach，otherandconversed。Othersstoodoffafewfeet，notwishingto，beinthecrowdandyetnotcountedout。Theywerepeevish，crusty，silent，eyingnothinginparticularandmovingtheir，feet。
Therewouldhavebeentalkingsoon，butthesoldiergavethemno，chance。Countingsufficienttobegin，hecameforward。
“Beds，eh，allofyou？”
Therewasageneralshuffleandmurmurofapproval。
“Well，lineuphere。I’llseewhatIcando。Ihaven’tacent，myself。”
Theyfellintoasortofbroken，raggedline。Onemightsee，now，someofthechiefcharacteristicsbycontrast。Therewasa，woodenlegintheline。Hatswerealldrooping，agroupthat，wouldillbecomeasecond-handHesterStreetbasementcollection。
Trouserswereallwarpedandfrayedatthebottomandcoatsworn，andfaded。Intheglareofthestorelights，someofthefaces，lookeddryandchalky;otherswereredwithblotchesandpuffed，inthecheeksandundertheeyes;oneortwowererawbonedand，remindedoneofrailroadhands。Afewspectatorscamenear，drawnbytheseeminglyconferringgroup，thenmoreandmore，and，quicklytherewasapushing，gapingcrowd。Someoneintheline，begantotalk。
“Silence！”exclaimedthecaptain。”Now，then，gentlemen，these，menarewithoutbeds。Theyhavetohavesomeplacetosleepto-
night。Theycan’tlieoutinthestreets。Ineedtwelvecents，toputoneofthemtobed。Whowillgiveittome？”
Noreply。
“Well，we’llhavetowaithere，boys，untilsomeonedoes。
Twelvecentsisn’tsoverymuchforoneman。”
“Here’sfifteen，“exclaimedayoungman，peeringforwardwith，strainedeyes。”It’sallIcanafford。”
“Allright。NowIhavefifteen。Stepoutoftheline，“and，seizingonebytheshoulder，thecaptainmarchedhimoffalittle，wayandstoodhimupalone。
Comingback，heresumedhisplaceandbeganagain。
“Ihavethreecentsleft。Thesemenmustbeputtobedsomehow。
Thereare“——counting——“one，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，ten，eleven，twelvemen。Ninecentsmorewillput，thenextmantobed;givehimagood，comfortablebedforthe，night。Igorightalongandlookafterthatmyself。Whowill，givemeninecents？”
Oneofthewatchers，thistimeamiddle-agedman，handedhima，five-centpiece。
“Now，Ihaveeightcents。Fourmorewillgivethismanabed。
Come，gentlemen。Wearegoingveryslowthisevening。Youall，havegoodbeds。Howaboutthese？”
“Hereyouare，“remarkedabystander，puttingacoinintohis，hand。
“That，“saidthecaptain，lookingatthecoin，“paysfortwobeds，fortwomenandgivesmefiveonthenextone。Whowillgiveme，sevencentsmore？”
“Iwill，“saidavoice。
ComingdownSixthAvenuethisevening，Hurstwoodchancedtocross，eastthroughTwenty-sixthStreettowardThirdAvenue。Hewas，whollydisconsolateinspirit，hungrytowhathedeemedanalmost，mortalextent，weary，anddefeated。HowshouldhegetatCarrie，now？Itwouldbeelevenbeforetheshowwasover。Ifshecamein，acoach，shewouldgoawayinone。Hewouldneedtointerrupt，undermosttryingcircumstances。Worstofall，hewashungryand，weary，andatbestawholedaymustintervene，forhehadnot，hearttotryagainto-night。Hehadnofoodandnobed。
WhenhenearedBroadway，henoticedthecaptain’sgatheringof，wanderers，butthinkingittobetheresultofastreetpreacher，orsomepatentmedicinefakir，wasabouttopasson。However，in，crossingthestreettowardMadisonSquarePark，henoticedthe，lineofmenwhosebedswerealreadysecured，stretchingoutfrom，themainbodyofthecrowd。Intheglareoftheneighbouring，electriclightherecognisedatypeofhisownkind——thefigures，whomhesawaboutthestreetsandinthelodging-houses，drifting，inmindandbodylikehimself。Hewonderedwhatitcouldbeand，turnedback。
Therewasthecaptaincurtlypleadingasbefore。Heheardwith，astonishmentandasenseofrelieftheoft-repeatedwords：“These，menmusthaveabed。”Beforehimwasthelineofunfortunates，whosebedswereyettobehad，andseeinganewcomerquietlyedge，upandtakeapositionattheendoftheline，hedecidedtodo，likewise。Whatusetocontend？Hewaswearyto-night。Itwasa，simplewayoutofonedifficulty，atleast。To-morrow，maybe，he，woulddobetter。
Backofhim，wheresomeofthosewerewhosebedsweresafe，a，relaxedairwasapparent。Thestrainofuncertaintybeing，removed，heheardthemtalkingwithmoderatefreedomandsome，leaningtowardsociability。Politics，religion，thestateofthe，government，somenewspapersensations，andthemorenotorious，factstheworldover，foundmouthpiecesandauditorsthere。
Crackedandhuskyvoicespronouncedforciblyuponoddmatters。
Vagueandramblingobservationsweremadeinreply。
Thereweresquints，andleers，andsomedull，ox-likestaresfrom，thosewhoweretoodullortoowearytoconverse。
Standingtells。Hurstwoodbecamemorewearywaiting。Hethought，heshoulddropsoonandshiftedrestlesslyfromonefoottothe，other。Atlasthisturncame。Themanaheadhadbeenpaidfor，andgonetotheblessedlineofsuccess。Hewasnowfirst，and，alreadythecaptainwastalkingforhim。
“Twelvecents，gentlemen——twelvecentsputsthismantobed。He，wouldn’tstandhereinthecoldifhehadanyplacetogo。”
Hurstwoodswallowedsomethingthatrosetohisthroat。Hunger，andweaknesshadmadeacowardofhim。
“Hereyouare，“saidastranger，handingmoneytothecaptain。
Nowthelatterputakindlyhandontheex-manager’sshoulder。
“Lineupoverthere，“hesaid。
Oncethere，Hurstwoodbreathedeasier。Hefeltasiftheworld，werenotquitesobadwithsuchagoodmaninit。Othersseemed，tofeellikehimselfaboutthis。
“Captain’sagreatfeller，ain’the？”saidthemanahead——a，little，woebegone，helpless-lookingsortofindividual，who，lookedasthoughhehadeverbeenthesportandcareoffortune。
“Yes，“saidHurstwood，indifferently。
“Huh！there’salotbackthereyet，“saidamanfartherup，leaningoutandlookingbackattheapplicantsforwhomthe，captainwaspleading。
“Yes。Mustbeoverahundredto-night，“saidanother。
“Lookattheguyinthecab，“observedathird。
Acabhadstopped。Somegentlemanineveningdressreachedouta，billtothecaptain，whotookitwithsimplethanksandturned，awaytohisline。Therewasageneralcraningofnecksasthe，jewelinthewhiteshirtfrontsparkledandthecabmovedoff。
Eventhecrowdgapedinawe。
“Thatfixesupninemenforthenight，“saidthecaptain，countingoutasmanyofthelinenearhim。”Lineupoverthere。
Now，then，thereareonlyseven。Ineedtwelvecents。”
Moneycameslowly。Inthecourseoftimethecrowdthinnedout，toameagrehandful。FifthAvenue，saveforanoccasionalcabor，footpassenger，wasbare。Broadwaywasthinlypeopledwith，pedestrians。Onlynowandthenastrangerpassingnoticedthe，smallgroup，handedoutacoin，andwentaway，unheeding。
Thecaptainremainedstolidanddetermined。Hetalkedon，very，slowly，utteringthefewestwordsandwithacertainassurance，asthoughhecouldnotfail。
“Come;Ican’tstayouthereallnight。Thesemenaregetting，tiredandcold。Someonegivemefourcents。”
Therecameatimewhenhesaidnothingatall。Moneywashanded，him，andforeachtwelvecentshesingledoutamanandputhim，intheotherline。Thenhewalkedupanddownasbefore，looking，attheground。
Thetheatresletout。Firesignsdisappeared。Aclockstruck，eleven。Anotherhalf-hourandhewasdowntothelasttwomen。
“Come，now，“heexclaimedtoseveralcuriousobservers;“eighteen，centswillfixusallupforthenight。Eighteencents。Ihave，six。Somebodygivemethemoney。Remember，Ihavetogooverto，Brooklynyetto-night。BeforethatIhavetotakethesemendown，andputthemtobed。Eighteencents。”
Nooneresponded。Hewalkedtoandfro，lookingdownforseveral，minutes，occasionallysayingsoftly：“Eighteencents。”Itseemed，asifthispaltrysumwoulddelaythedesiredculminationlonger，thanalltheresthad。Hurstwood，buoyedupslightlybythelong，lineofwhichhewasapart，refrainedwithaneffortfrom，groaning，hewassoweak。
AtlastaladyinoperacapeandrustlingskirtscamedownFifth，Avenue，accompaniedbyherescort。Hurstwoodgazedwearily，remindedbyherbothofCarrieinhernewworldandofthetime，whenhehadescortedhisownwifeinlikemanner。
Whilehewasgazing，sheturnedand，lookingattheremarkable，company，sentherescortover。Hecame，holdingabillinhis，fingers，allelegantandgraceful。
“Hereyouare，“hesaid。
“Thanks，“saidthecaptain，turningtothetworemaining，applicants。”Nowwehavesomeforto-morrownight，“headded。
Therewithhelinedupthelasttwoandproceededtothehead，countingashewent。
“Onehundredandthirty-seven，“heannounced。”Now，boys，line，up。Rightdressthere。Wewon’tbemuchlongeraboutthis。
Steady，now。”
Heplacedhimselfattheheadandcalledout“Forward。”Hurstwood，movedwiththeline。AcrossFifthAvenue，throughMadisonSquare，bythewindingpaths，eastonTwenty-thirdStreet，anddownThird，Avenuewoundthelong，serpentinecompany。Midnightpedestrians，andloiterersstoppedandstaredasthecompanypassed。Chatting，policemen，atvariouscorners，staredindifferentlyornoddedto，theleader，whomtheyhadseenbefore。OnThirdAvenuethey，marched，aseeminglywearyway，toEighthStreet，wheretherewas，alodginghouse，closed，apparently，forthenight。Theywere，expected，however。
Outsideinthegloomtheystood，whiletheleaderparleyed，within。Thendoorsswungopenandtheywereinvitedinwitha，“Steady，now。”
Someonewasattheheadshowingrooms，sothattherewasno，delayforkeys。Toilingupthecreakystairs，Hurstwoodlooked，backandsawthecaptain，watching;thelastoneoftheline，beingincludedinhisbroadsolicitude。Thenhegatheredhis，cloakabouthimandstrolledoutintothenight。
“Ican’tstandmuchofthis，“saidHurstwood，whoselegsached，himpainfully，ashesatdownuponthemiserablebunkinthe，small，lightlesschamberallottedtohim。”I’vegottoeat，or，I’lldie。”
ChapterXLVI
STIRRINGTROUBLEDWATERS
PlayinginNewYorkoneeveningonthisherreturn，Carriewas，puttingthefinishingtouchestohertoiletbeforeleavingfor，thenight，whenacommotionnearthestagedoorcaughtherear。
Itincludedafamiliarvoice。
“Nevermind，now。IwanttoseeMissMadenda。”
“You’llhavetosendinyourcard。”
“Oh，comeoff！Here。”
Ahalf-dollarwaspassedover，andnowaknockcameather，dressing-roomdoor。
Carrieopenedit。
“Well，well！”saidDrouet。”Idoswear！Why，howareyou？Iknew，thatwasyouthemomentIsawyou。”
Carriefellbackapace，expectingamostembarrassing，conversation。
“Aren’tyougoingtoshakehandswithme？Well，you’readandy！
That’sallright，shakehands。”
Carrieputoutherhand，smiling，iffornothingmorethanthe，man’sexuberantgood-nature。Thougholder，hewasbutslightly，changed。Thesamefineclothes，thesamestockybody，thesame，rosycountenance。
“Thatfellowatthedoortheredidn’twanttoletmein，untilI
paidhim。Iknewitwasyou，allright。Say，you’vegotagreat，show。Youdoyourpartfine。Iknewyouwould。Ijusthappened，tobepassingtonightandthoughtI’ddropinforafewminutes。
Isawyournameontheprogramme，butIdidn’trememberituntil，youcameonthestage。Thenitstruckmeallatonce。Say，you，couldhaveknockedmedownwithafeather。That’sthesamename，youusedoutthereinChicago，isn’tit？”
“Yes，“answeredCarrie，mildly，overwhelmedbytheman’s，assurance。
“Iknewitwas，themomentIsawyou。Well，howhaveyoubeen，anyhow？”
“Oh，verywell，“saidCarrie，lingeringinherdressing-room。
Shewasratherdazedbytheassault。”Howhaveyoubeen？”
“Me？Oh，fine。I’mherenow。”
“Isthatso？”saidCarrie。
“Yes。I’vebeenhereforsixmonths。I’vegotchargeofa，branchhere。”
“Hownice！”
“Well，whendidyougoonthestage，anyhow？”inquiredDrouet。
“Aboutthreeyearsago，“saidCarrie。
“Youdon’tsayso！Well，sir，thisisthefirstI’veheardofit。
Iknewyouwould，though。Ialwayssaidyoucouldact——didn’t，I？”
Carriesmiled。
“Yes，youdid，“shesaid。
“Well，youdolookgreat，“hesaid。”Ineversawanybodyimprove，so。You’retaller，aren’tyou？”
“Me？Oh，alittle，maybe。”
Hegazedatherdress，thenatherhair，whereabecominghatwas，setjauntily，thenintohereyes，whichshetookalloccasionto，avert。Evidentlyheexpectedtorestoretheiroldfriendshipat，onceandwithoutmodification。
“Well，“hesaid，seeinghergatherupherpurse，handkerchief，andthelike，preparatorytodeparting，“Iwantyoutocomeout，todinnerwithme;won’tyou？I’vegotafriendouthere。”
“Oh，Ican’t，“saidCarrie。”Notto-night。Ihaveanearly，engagementto-morrow。”
“Aw，lettheengagementgo。Comeon。Icangetridofhim。I
wanttohaveagoodtalkwithyou。”
“No，no，“saidCarrie;“Ican’t。Youmustn’taskmeanymore。I
don’tcareforalatedinner。”
“Well，comeonandhaveatalk，then，anyhow。”
“Notto-night，“shesaid，shakingherhead。”We’llhaveatalk，someothertime。”
Asaresultofthis，shenoticedashadeofthoughtpassoverhis，face，asifhewerebeginningtorealisethatthingswere，changed。Good-naturedictatedsomethingbetterthanthisforone，whohadalwayslikedher。
“Youcomearoundtothehotelto-morrow，“shesaid，assortof，penanceforerror。”Youcantakedinnerwithme。”
“Allright，“saidDrouet，brightening。”Whereareyoustopping？”
“AttheWaldorf，“sheanswered，mentioningthefashionable，hostelrythenbutnewlyerected。
“Whattime？”
“Well，comeatthree，“saidCarrie，pleasantly。
ThenextdayDrouetcalled，butitwaswithnoespecialdelight，thatCarrierememberedherappointment。However，seeinghim，handsomeasever，afterhiskind，andmostgeniallydisposed，her，doubtsastowhetherthedinnerwouldbedisagreeablewereswept，away。Hetalkedasvolublyasever。
“Theyputonalotoflugshere，don’tthey？”washisfirst，remark。
“Yes;theydo，“saidCarrie。
Genialegotistthathewas，hewentatonceintoadetailed，accountofhisowncareer。
“I’mgoingtohaveabusinessofmyownprettysoon，“heobserved，inoneplace。”Icangetbackingfortwohundredthousand，dollars。”
Carrielistenedmostgood-naturedly。
“Say，“hesaid，suddenly;“whereisHurstwoodnow？”
Carrieflushedalittle。
“He’shereinNewYork，Iguess，“shesaid。”Ihaven’tseenhim，forsometime。”
Drouetmusedforamoment。Hehadnotbeensureuntilnowthat，theex-managerwasnotaninfluentialfigureinthebackground。
Heimaginednot;butthisassurancerelievedhim。Itmustbe，thatCarriehadgotridofhim——aswellsheought，hethought。
“Amanalwaysmakesamistakewhenhedoesanythinglikethat，“
heobserved。
“Likewhat？”saidCarrie，unwittingofwhatwascoming。
“Oh，youknow，“andDrouetwavedherintelligence，asitwere，withhishand。
“No，Idon’t，“sheanswered。”Whatdoyoumean？”
“WhythataffairinChicago——thetimeheleft。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，“saidCarrie。Couldit，behewouldrefersorudelytoHurstwood’sflightwithher？
“Oho！”saidDrouet，incredulously。”Youknewhetookten，thousanddollarswithhimwhenheleft，didn’tyou？”
“What！”saidCarrie。”Youdon’tmeantosayhestolemoney，do，you？”
“Why，“saidDrouet，puzzledathertone，“youknewthat，didn’t，you？”
“Why，no，“saidCarrie。”OfcourseIdidn’t。”
“Well，that’sfunny，“saidDrouet。”Hedid，youknow。Itwasin，allthepapers。”
“Howmuchdidyousayhetook？”saidCarrie。
“Tenthousanddollars。Iheardhesentmostofitback，afterwards，though。”
Carrielookedvacantlyattherichlycarpetedfloor。Anewlight，wasshininguponalltheyearssinceherenforcedflight。She，rememberednowahundredthingsthatindicatedasmuch。Shealso，imaginedthathetookitonheraccount。Insteadofhatred，springinguptherewasakindofsorrowgenerated。Poorfellow！
Whatathingtohavehadhangingoverhisheadallthetime。
AtdinnerDrouet，warmedupbyeatinganddrinkingandsoftened，inmood，fanciedhewaswinningCarrietoherold-timegood-
naturedregardforhim。Hebegantoimagineitwouldnotbeso，difficulttoenterintoherlifeagain，highasshewas。Ah，whataprize！hethought。Howbeautiful，howelegant，how，famous！InhertheatricalandWaldorfsetting，Carriewastohim，thealldesirable。
“DoyourememberhownervousyouwerethatnightattheAvery？”
heasked。
Carriesmiledtothinkofit。
“Ineversawanybodydobetterthanyoudidthen，Cad，“headded，ruefully，asheleanedanelbowonthetable;“Ithoughtyouand，Iweregoingtogetalongfinethosedays。”
“Youmustn’ttalkthatway，“saidCarrie，bringingintheleast，touchofcoldness。
“Won’tyouletmetellyou——“
“No，“sheanswered，rising。”Besides，it’stimeIwasgetting，readyforthetheatre。I’llhavetoleaveyou。Come，now。”
“Oh，stayaminute，“pleadedDrouet。”You’vegotplentyof，time。”
“No，“saidCarrie，gently。
ReluctantlyDrouetgaveupthebrighttableandfollowed。Hesaw，hertotheelevatorand，standingthere，said：
“WhendoIseeyouagain？”
“Oh，sometime，possibly，“saidCarrie。”I’llbehereall，summer。Good-night！”
Theelevatordoorwasopen。
“Good-night！”saidDrouet，assherustledin。
Thenhestrolledsadlydownthehall，allhisoldlonging，revived，becauseshewasnowsofaroff。Themerryfrou-frouof，theplacespokeallofher。Hethoughthimselfhardlydealt，with。Carrie，however，hadotherthoughts。
ThatnightitwasthatshepassedHurstwood，waitingatthe，Casino，withoutobservinghim。
Thenextnight，walkingtothetheatre，sheencounteredhimface，toface。Hewaswaiting，moregauntthanever，determinedtosee，her，ifhehadtosendinword。Atfirstshedidnotrecognise，theshabby，baggyfigure。Hefrightenedher，edgingsoclose，a，seeminglyhungrystranger。
“Carrie，“hehalfwhispered，“canIhaveafewwordswithyou？”
Sheturnedandrecognisedhimontheinstant。Ifthereeverhad，lurkedanyfeelinginherheartagainsthim，itdesertedhernow。
Still，sherememberedwhatDrouetsaidabouthishavingstolen，themoney。
“Why，George，“shesaid;“what’sthematterwithyou？”
“I’vebeensick，“heanswered。”I’vejustgotoutofthe，hospital。ForGod’ssake，letmehavealittlemoney，willyou？”
“Ofcourse，“saidCarrie，herliptremblinginastrongeffortto，maintainhercomposure。”Butwhat’sthematterwithyou，anyhow？”
Shewasopeningherpurse，andnowpulledoutallthebillsin，it——afiveandtwotwos。
“I’vebeensick，Itoldyou，“hesaid，peevishly，almost，resentingherexcessivepity。Itcamehardtohimtoreceiveit，fromsuchasource。
“Here，“shesaid。”It’sallIhavewithme。”
“Allright，“heanswered，softly。”I’llgiveitbacktoyousome，day。”
Carrielookedathim，whilepedestriansstaredather。Shefelt，thestrainofpublicity。SodidHurstwood。
“Whydon’tyoutellmewhat’sthematterwithyou？”sheasked，hardlyknowingwhattodo。”Whereareyouliving？”
“Oh，I’vegotaroomdownintheBowery，“heanswered。”There’s，nousetryingtotellyouhere。I’mallrightnow。”
Heseemedinawaytoresentherkindlyinquiries——somuchbetter，hadfatedealtwithher。
“Bettergoonin，“hesaid。”I’mmuchobliged，butIwon’t，botheryouanymore。”
Shetriedtoanswer，butheturnedawayandshuffledofftoward，theeast。
Fordaysthisapparitionwasadragonhersoulbeforeitbegan，towearpartiallyaway。Drouetcalledagain，butnowhewasnot，evenseenbyher。Hisattentionsseemedoutofplace。
“I’mout，“washerreplytotheboy。
Sopeculiar，indeed，washerlonely，self-withdrawingtemper，thatshewasbecominganinterestingfigureinthepubliceye——
shewassoquietandreserved。
Notlongafterthemanagementdecidedtotransfertheshowto，London。Asecondsummerseasondidnotseemtopromisewell，here。
“HowwouldyouliketotrysubduingLondon？”askedhermanager，oneafternoon。
“Itmightbejusttheotherway，“saidCarrie。
“Ithinkwe’llgoinJune，“heanswered。
Inthehurryofdeparture，Hurstwoodwasforgotten。Bothheand，Drouetwerelefttodiscoverthatshewasgone。Thelatter，calledonce，andexclaimedatthenews。Thenhestoodinthe，lobby，chewingtheendsofhismoustache。Atlasthereacheda，conclusion——theolddayshadgoneforgood。
“Sheisn’tsomuch，“hesaid;butinhisheartofheartshedid，notbelievethis。
Hurstwoodshiftedbycuriousmeansthroughalongsummerand，fall。Asmalljobasjanitorofadancehallhelpedhimfora，month。Begging，sometimesgoinghungry，sometimessleepingin，thepark，carriedhimovermoredays。Resortingtothose，peculiarcharities，severalofwhich，inthepressofhungry，search，heaccidentallystumbledupon，didtherest。Towardthe，deadofwinter，Carriecameback，appearingonBroadwayinanew，play;buthewasnotawareofit。Forweekshewanderedabout，thecity，begging，whilethefiresign，announcingher，engagement，blazednightlyuponthecrowdedstreetofamusements。
Drouetsawit，butdidnotventurein。
AboutthistimeAmesreturnedtoNewYork。Hehadmadealittle，successintheWest，andnowopenedalaboratoryinWooster，Street。Ofcourse，heencounteredCarriethroughMrs。Vance;but，therewasnothingresponsivebetweenthem。Hethoughtshewas，stillunitedtoHurstwood，untilotherwiseinformed。Notknowing，thefactsthen，hedidnotprofesstounderstand，andrefrained，fromcomment。
WithMrs。Vance，hesawthenewplay，andexpressedhimself，accordingly。
“Sheoughtnottobeincomedy，“hesaid。”Ithinkshecoulddo，betterthanthat。”
OneafternoontheymetattheVances’accidentally，andbegana，veryfriendlyconversation。Shecouldhardlytellwhytheone-
timekeeninterestinhimwasnolongerwithher。
Unquestionably，itwasbecauseatthattimehehadrepresented，somethingwhichshedidnothave;butthisshedidnot，understand。Successhadgivenherthemomentaryfeelingthatshe，wasnowblessedwithmuchofwhichhewouldapprove。Asamatter，offact，herlittlenewspaperfamewasnothingatalltohim。He，thoughtshecouldhavedonebetter，byfar。
“Youdidn’tgointocomedy-drama，afterall？”hesaid，rememberingherinterestinthatformofart。
“No，“sheanswered;“Ihaven’t，sofar。”
Helookedatherinsuchapeculiarwaythatsherealisedshehad，failed。Itmovedhertoadd：“Iwantto，though。”
“Ishouldthinkyouwould，“hesaid。”Youhavethesortof，dispositionthatwoulddowellincomedy-drama。”
Itsurprisedherthatheshouldspeakofdisposition。Wasshe，then，soclearlyinhismind？
“Why？”sheasked。
“Well，“hesaid，“Ishouldjudgeyouwererathersympatheticin，yournature。”
Carriesmiledandcolouredslightly。Hewassoinnocentlyfrank，withherthatshedrewnearerinfriendship。Theoldcallofthe，idealwassounding。
“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered，pleased，nevertheless，beyondall，concealment。
“Isawyourplay，“heremarked。”It’sverygood。”
“I’mgladyoulikedit。”
“Verygood，indeed，“hesaid，“foracomedy。”
Thisisallthatwassaidatthetime，owingtoaninterruption，butlatertheymetagain。Hewassittinginacornerafter，dinner，staringatthefloor，whenCarriecameupwithanotherof，theguests。Hardworkhadgivenhisfacethelookofonewhois，weary。ItwasnotforCarrietoknowthethinginitwhich，appealedtoher。
“Allalone？”shesaid。
“Iwaslisteningtothemusic。”
“I’llbebackinamoment，“saidhercompanion，whosawnothing，intheinventor。
Nowhelookedupinherface，forshewasstandingamoment，whilehesat。
“Isn’tthatapatheticstrain？”heinquired，listening。
“Oh，very，“shereturned，alsocatchingit，nowthather，attentionwascalled。
“Sitdown，“headded，offeringherthechairbesidehim。
Theylistenedafewmomentsinsilence，touchedbythesame，feeling，onlyhersreachedherthroughtheheart。Musicstill，charmedherasintheolddays。
“Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutmusic，“shestartedtosay，moved，bytheinexplicablelongingswhichsurgedwithinher;“butit，alwaysmakesmefeelasifIwantedsomething——I——“
“Yes，“hereplied;“Iknowhowyoufeel。”
Suddenlyheturnedtoconsideringthepeculiarityofher，disposition，expressingherfeelingssofrankly。
“Yououghtnottobemelancholy，“hesaid。
Hethoughtawhile，andthenwentoffintoaseeminglyalien，observationwhich，however，accordedwiththeirfeelings。
“Theworldisfullofdesirablesituations，but，unfortunately，wecanoccupybutoneatatime。Itdoesn’tdousanygoodto，wringourhandsoverthefar-offthings。”
Themusicceasedandhearose，takingastandingpositionbefore，her，asiftoresthimself。
“Whydon’tyougetintosomegood，strongcomedy-drama？”hesaid。
Hewaslookingdirectlyathernow，studyingherface。Her，large，sympatheticeyesandpain-touchedmouthappealedtohimas，proofsofhisjudgment。
“PerhapsIshall，“shereturned。
“That’syourfield，“headded。
“Doyouthinkso？”
“Yes，“hesaid;“Ido。Idon’tsupposeyou’reawareofit，but，thereissomethingaboutyoureyesandmouthwhichfitsyoufor，thatsortofwork。”
Carriethrilledtobetakensoseriously。Forthemoment，lonelinessdesertedher。Herewaspraisewhichwaskeenand，analytical。
“It’sinyoureyesandmouth，“hewentonabstractedly。”I
rememberthinking，thefirsttimeIsawyou，thattherewas，somethingpeculiaraboutyourmouth。Ithoughtyouwereaboutto，cry。”
“Howodd，“saidCarrie，warmwithdelight。Thiswaswhather，heartcraved。
“ThenInoticedthatthatwasyournaturallook，andto-nightI
sawitagain。There’sashadowaboutyoureyes，too，whichgives，yourfacemuchthissamecharacter。It’sinthedepthofthem，I
think。”
Carrielookedstraightintohisface，whollyaroused。
“Youprobablyarenotawareofit，“headded。
Shelookedaway，pleasedthatheshouldspeakthus，longingtobe，equaltothisfeelingwrittenuponhercountenance。Itunlocked，thedoortoanewdesire。
Shehadcausetoponderoverthisuntiltheymetagain——several，weeksormore。Itshowedhershewasdriftingawayfromtheold，idealwhichhadfilledherinthedressing-roomsoftheAvery，stageandthereafter，foralongtime。Whyhadshelostit？
“Iknowwhyyoushouldbeasuccess，“hesaid，anothertime，“if，youhadamoredramaticpart。I’vestudieditout——“
“Whatisit？”saidCarrie。
“Well，“hesaid，asonepleasedwithapuzzle，“theexpressionin，yourfaceisonethatcomesoutindifferentthings。Yougetthe，samethinginapatheticsong，oranypicturewhichmovesyou，deeply。It’sathingtheworldlikestosee，becauseit’sa，naturalexpressionofitslonging。”
Carriegazedwithoutexactlygettingtheimportofwhathemeant。
“Theworldisalwaysstrugglingtoexpressitself，“hewenton。
“Mostpeoplearenotcapableofvoicingtheirfeelings。They，dependuponothers。Thatiswhatgeniusisfor。Oneman，expressestheirdesiresfortheminmusic;anotheroneinpoetry;
anotheroneinaplay。Sometimesnaturedoesitinaface——it，makesthefacerepresentativeofalldesire。That’swhathas，happenedinyourcase。”
Helookedatherwithsomuchoftheimportofthethinginhis，eyesthatshecaughtit。Atleast，shegottheideathather，lookwassomethingwhichrepresentedtheworld’slonging。She，tookittoheartasacreditablething，untilheadded：
“Thatputsaburdenofdutyonyou。Itsohappensthatyouhave，thisthing。Itisnocredittoyou——thatis，Imean，youmight，nothavehadit。Youpaidnothingtogetit。Butnowthatyou，haveit，youmustdosomethingwithit。”
“What？”askedCarrie。
“Ishouldsay，turntothedramaticfield。Youhavesomuch，sympathyandsuchamelodiousvoice。Makethemvaluableto，others。Itwillmakeyourpowersendure。”
Carriedidnotunderstandthislast。Alltherestshowedher，thathercomedysuccesswaslittleornothing。
“Whatdoyoumean？”sheasked。
“Why，justthis。Youhavethisqualityinyoureyesandmouth，andinyournature。Youcanloseit，youknow。Ifyouturnaway，fromitandlivetosatisfyyourselfalone，itwillgofast，enough。Thelookwillleaveyoureyes。Yourmouthwillchange。
Yourpowertoactwilldisappear。Youmaythinktheywon’t，but，theywill。Naturetakescareofthat。”
Hewassointerestedinforwardingallgoodcausesthathe，sometimesbecameenthusiastic，givingventtothesepreachments。
SomethinginCarrieappealedtohim。Hewantedtostirherup。
“Iknow，“shesaid，absently，feelingslightlyguiltyofneglect。
“IfIwereyou，“hesaid，“I’dchange。”
Theeffectofthiswaslikeroilinghelplesswaters。Carrie，troubledoveritinherrocking-chairfordays。
“Idon’tbelieveI’llstayincomedysoverymuchlonger，“she，eventuallyremarkedtoLola。
“Oh，whynot？”saidthelatter。
“Ithink，“shesaid，“Icandobetterinaseriousplay。”
“Whatputthatideainyourhead？”
“Oh，nothing，“sheanswered;“I’vealwaysthoughtso。”
Still，shedidnothing——grieving。Itwasalongwaytothis，betterthing——orseemedso——andcomfortwasabouther;hencethe，inactivityandlonging。
ChapterXLVII
THEWAYOFTHEBEATEN——AHARPINTHEWIND
Inthecity，atthattime，therewereanumberofcharities，similarinnaturetothatofthecaptain’s，whichHurstwoodnow，patronisedinalikeunfortunateway。Onewasaconventmission-
houseoftheSistersofMercyinFifteenthStreet——arowofred，brickfamilydwellings，beforethedoorofwhichhungaplain，woodencontributionbox，onwhichwaspaintedthestatementthat，everynoonamealwasgivenfreetoallthosewhomightapplyand，askforaid。Thissimpleannouncementwasmodestintheextreme，covering，asitdid，acharitysobroad。Institutionsand，charitiesaresolargeandsonumerousinNewYorkthatsuch，thingsasthisarenotoftennoticedbythemorecomfortably，situated。Buttoonewhosemindisuponthematter，theygrow，exceedinglyunderinspection。Unlessonewerelookingupthis，matterinparticular，hecouldhavestoodatSixthAvenueand，FifteenthStreetfordaysaroundthenoonhourandneverhave，noticedthatoutofthevastcrowdthatsurgedalongthatbusy，thoroughfarethereturnedout，everyfewseconds，someweather-
beaten，heavy-footedspecimenofhumanity，gauntincountenance，anddilapidatedinthematterofclothes。Thefactisnonethe，lesstrue，however，andthecolderthedaythemoreapparentit，became。Spaceandalackofculinaryroominthemission-house，compelledanarrangementwhichpermittedofonlytwenty-fiveor，thirtyeatingatonetime，sothatalinehadtobeformed，outsideandanorderlyentranceeffected。Thiscausedadaily，spectaclewhich，however，hadbecomesocommonbyrepetition，duringanumberofyearsthatnownothingwasthoughtofit。The，menwaitedpatiently，likecattle，inthecoldestweather——waited，forseveralhoursbeforetheycouldbeadmitted。Noquestions，wereaskedandnoservicerendered。Theyateandwentaway，again，someofthemreturningregularlydayafterdaythewinter，through。
Abig，motherlylookingwomaninvariablystoodguardatthedoor，duringtheentireoperationandcountedtheadmissiblenumber。
Themenmovedupinsolemnorder。Therewasnohasteandno，eagernessdisplayed。Itwasalmostadumbprocession。Inthe，bitterestweatherthislinewastobefoundhere。Underanicy，windtherewasaprodigiousslappingofhandsandadancingof，feet。Fingersandthefeaturesofthefacelookedasifseverely，nippedbythecold。Astudyofthesemeninbroadlightproved，themtobenearlyallofatype。Theybelongedtotheclassthat，sitontheparkbenchesduringtheendurabledaysandsleepupon，themduringthesummernights。TheyfrequenttheBoweryand，thosedown-at-the-heelsEastSidestreetswherepoorclothesand，shrunkenfeaturesarenotsingledoutascurious。Theyarethe，menwhoareinthelodginghousesitting-roomsduringbleakand，bitterweatherandwhoswarmaboutthecheapershelterswhich，onlyopenatsixinanumberofthelowerEastSidestreets。
Miserablefood，ill-timedandgreedilyeaten，hadplayedhavoc，withboneandmuscle。Theywereallpale，flabby，sunken-eyed，hollow-chested，witheyesthatglintedandshoneandlipsthat，wereasicklyredbycontrast。Theirhairwasbuthalfattended，to，theirearsanaemicinhue，andtheirshoesbrokeninleather，andrundownatheelandtoe。Theywereoftheclasswhich，simplyfloatsanddrifts，everywaveofpeoplewashingupone，as，breakersdodriftwooduponastormyshore。
Fornearlyaquarterofacentury，inanothersectionofthe，city，Fleischmann，thebaker，hadgivenaloafofbreadtoany，onewhowouldcomeforittothesidedoorofhisrestaurantat，thecornerofBroadwayandTenthStreet，atmidnight。Every，nightduringtwentyyearsaboutthreehundredmenhadformedin，lineandattheappointedtimemarchedpastthedoorway，picked，theirloaffromagreatboxplacedjustoutside，andvanished，againintothenight。Fromthebeginningtothepresenttime，therehadbeenlittlechangeinthecharacterornumberofthese，men。Thereweretwoorthreefiguresthathadgrownfamiliarto，thosewhohadseenthislittleprocessionpassyearafteryear。
Twoofthemhadmissedscarcelyanightinfifteenyears。There，wereaboutforty，moreorless，regularcallers。Theremainder，ofthelinewasformedofstrangers。Intimesofpanicand，unusualhardshipstherewereseldommorethanthreehundred。In，timesofprosperity，whenlittleisheardoftheunemployed，therewereseldomless。Thesamenumber，winterandsummer，in，stormorcalm，ingoodtimesandbad，heldthismelancholy，midnightrendezvousatFleischmann’sbreadbox。
Atbothofthesetwocharities，duringtheseverewinterwhich，wasnowon，Hurstwoodwasafrequentvisitor。Ononeoccasionit，waspeculiarlycold，andfindingnocomfortinbeggingaboutthe，streets，hewaiteduntilnoonbeforeseekingthisfreeoffering，tothepoor。Already，ateleveno’clockofthismorning，several，suchashehadshambledforwardoutofSixthAvenue，theirthin，clothesflappingandflutteringinthewind。Theyleanedagainst，theironrailingwhichprotectsthewallsoftheNinthRegiment，Armory，whichfrontsuponthatsectionofFifteenthStreet，havingcomeearlyinordertobefirstin。Havinganhourto，wait，theyatfirstlingeredatarespectfuldistance;butothers，comingup，theymovedcloserinordertoprotecttheirrightof，precedence。TothiscollectionHurstwoodcameupfromthewest，outofSeventhAvenueandstoppedclosetothedoor，nearerthan，alltheothers。Thosewhohadbeenwaitingbeforehim，but，fartheraway，nowdrewnear，andbyacertainstolidityof，demeanour，nowordsbeingspoken，indicatedthattheywerefirst。
Seeingtheoppositiontohisaction，helookedsullenlyalongthe，line，thenmovedout，takinghisplaceatthefoot。Whenorder，hadbeenrestored，theanimalfeelingofoppositionrelaxed。
“Mustbeprettynearnoon，“venturedone。
“Itis，“saidanother。”I’vebeenwaitingnearlyanhour。”
“Gee，butit’scold！”
Theypeeredeagerlyatthedoor，whereallmustenter。Agrocery，mandroveupandcarriedinseveralbasketsofeatables。This，startedsomewordsupongrocerymenandthecostoffoodin，general。
“Iseemeat’sgoneup，“saidone。
“Iftherewuzwar，itwouldhelpthiscountryalot。”
Thelinewasgrowingrapidly。Alreadytherewerefiftyormore，andthoseatthehead，bytheirdemeanour，evidently，congratulatedthemselvesuponnothavingsolongtowaitasthose，atthefoot。Therewasmuchjerkingofheads，andlookingdown，theline。
“Itdon’tmatterhownearyougettothefront，solongasyou’re，inthefirsttwenty-five，“commentedoneofthefirsttwenty-
five。”Youallgointogether。”
“Humph！”ejaculatedHurstwood，whohadbeensosturdily，displaced。
“ThishereSingleTaxisthething，“saidanother。”Thereain’t，goingtobenoordertillitcomes。”
Forthemostparttherewassilence;gauntmenshuffling，glancing，andbeatingtheirarms。
Atlastthedooropenedandthemotherly-lookingsisterappeared。
Sheonlylookedanorder。Slowlythelinemovedupand，oneby，one，passedin，untiltwenty-fivewerecounted。Thenshe，interposedastoutarm，andthelinehalted，withsixmenonthe，steps。Ofthesetheex-managerwasone。Waitingthus，some，talked，someejaculatedconcerningthemiseryofit;some，brooded，asdidHurstwood。Atlasthewasadmitted，and，having，eaten，cameaway，almostangeredbecauseofhispainsingetting，it。
Ateleveno’clockofanotherevening，perhapstwoweekslater，he，wasatthemidnightofferingofaloaf——waitingpatiently。It，hadbeenanunfortunatedaywithhim，butnowhetookhisfate，withatouchofphilosophy。Ifhecouldsecurenosupper，orwas，hungrylateintheevening，herewasaplacehecouldcome。A
fewminutesbeforetwelve，agreatboxofbreadwaspushedout，andexactlyonthehouraportly，round-facedGermantook，positionbyit，calling“Ready。”Thewholelineatoncemoved，forwardeachtakinghisloafinturnandgoinghisseparateway。
Onthisoccasion，theex-manageratehisashewentploddingthe，darkstreetsinsilencetohisbed。
ByJanuaryhehadaboutconcludedthatthegamewasupwithhim。
Lifehadalwaysseemedapreciousthing，butnowconstantwant，andweakenedvitalityhadmadethecharmsofearthratherdull，andinconspicuous。Severaltimes，whenfortunepressedmost，harshly，hethoughthewouldendhistroubles;butwithachange，ofweather，orthearrivalofaquarteroradime，hismoodwould，change，andhewouldwait。Eachdayhewouldfindsomeoldpaper，lyingaboutandlookintoit，toseeiftherewasanytraceof，Carrie，butallsummerandfallhehadlookedinvain。Thenhe，noticedthathiseyeswerebeginningtohurthim，andthis，ailmentrapidlyincreaseduntil，inthedarkchambersofthe，lodgingshefrequented，hedidnotattempttoread。Badand，irregulareatingwasweakeningeveryfunctionofhisbody。The，onerecourselefthimwastodozewhenaplaceofferedandhe，couldgetthemoneytooccupyit。
Hewasbeginningtofind，inhiswretchedclothingandmeagre，stateofbody，thatpeopletookhimforachronictypeofbumand，beggar。Policehustledhimalong，restaurantandlodginghouse，keepersturnedhimoutpromptlythemomenthehadhisdue;
pedestrianswavedhimoff。Hefounditmoreandmoredifficult，togetanythingfromanybody。
Atlastheadmittedtohimselfthatthegamewasup。Itwas，afteralongseriesofappealstopedestrians，inwhichhehad，beenrefusedandrefused——everyonehasteningfromcontact。
“Givemealittlesomething，willyou，mister？”hesaidtothe，lastone。”ForGod’ssake，do;I’mstarving。”
“Aw，getout，“saidtheman，whohappenedtobeacommontype，himself。”You’renogood。I’llgiveyounawthin’。”
Hurstwoodputhishands，redfromcold，downinhispockets。
Tearscameintohiseyes。
“That’sright，“hesaid;“I’mnogoodnow。Iwasallright。I
hadmoney。I’mgoingtoquitthis，“and，withdeathinhis，heart，hestarteddowntowardtheBowery。Peoplehadturnedon，thegasbeforeanddied;whyshouldn’the？Heremembereda，lodginghousewheretherewerelittle，closerooms，withgas-jets，inthem，almostpre-arranged，hethought，forwhathewantedto，do，whichrentedforfifteencents。Thenherememberedthathe，hadnofifteencents。
Onthewayhemetacomfortable-lookinggentleman，coming，clean-
shaven，outofafinebarbershop。
“Wouldyoumindgivingmealittlesomething？”heaskedthisman，boldly。
Thegentlemanlookedhimoverandfishedforadime。Nothingbut，quarterswereinhispocket。
“Here，“hesaid，handinghimone，toberidofhim。”Beoff，now。”
Hurstwoodmovedon，wondering。Thesightofthelarge，bright，coinpleasedhimalittle。Herememberedthathewashungryand，thathecouldgetabedfortencents。Withthis，theideaof，deathpassed，forthetimebeing，outofhismind。Itwasonly，whenhecouldgetnothingbutinsultsthatdeathseemedworth，while。
Oneday，inthemiddleofthewinter，thesharpestspellofthe，seasonsetin。Itbrokegreyandcoldinthefirstday，andon，thesecondsnowed。Poorluckpursuinghim，hehadsecuredbut，tencentsbynightfall，andthishehadspentforfood。At，eveninghefoundhimselfattheBoulevardandSixty-seventh，Street，wherehefinallyturnedhisfaceBowery-ward。Especially，fatiguedbecauseofthewanderingpropensitywhichhadseizedhim，inthemorning，henowhalfdraggedhiswetfeet，shufflingthe，solesuponthesidewalk。Anold，thincoatwasturnedupabout，hisredears——hiscrackedderbyhatwaspulleddownuntilit，turnedthemoutward。Hishandswereinhispockets。
“I’lljustgodownBroadway，“hesaidtohimself。
WhenhereachedForty-secondStreet，thefiresignswerealready，blazingbrightly。Crowdswerehasteningtodine。Throughbright，windows，ateverycorner，mightbeseengaycompaniesin，luxuriantrestaurants。Therewerecoachesandcrowdedcable，cars。
Inhiswearyandhungrystate，heshouldneverhavecomehere。
Thecontrastwastoosharp。Evenhewasrecalledkeenlyto，betterthings。
“What’stheuse？”hethought。”It’sallupwithme。I’llquit，this。”
Peopleturnedtolookafterhim，souncouthwashisshambling，figure。Severalofficersfollowedhimwiththeireyes，tosee，thathedidnotbegofanybody。
Oncehepausedinanaimless，incoherentsortofwayandlooked，throughthewindowsofanimposingrestaurant，beforewhich，blazedafiresign，andthroughthelarge，platewindowsofwhich，couldbeseentheredandgolddecorations，thepalms，thewhite，napery，andshiningglassware，and，aboveall，thecomfortable，crowd。Weakashismindhadbecome，hishungerwassharpenough，toshowtheimportanceofthis。Hestoppedstockstill，his，frayedtrouserssoakingintheslush，andpeeredfoolishlyin。
“Eat，“hemumbled。”That’sright，eat。Nobodyelsewantsany。”
Thenhisvoicedroppedevenlower，andhismindhalflostthe，fancyithad。
“It’smightycold，“hesaid。”Awfulcold。”
AtBroadwayandThirty-ninthStreetwasblazing，inincandescent，fire，Carrie’sname。”CarrieMadenda，“itread，“andtheCasino，Company。”Allthewet，snowysidewalkwasbrightwiththis，radiatedfire。ItwassobrightthatitattractedHurstwood’s，gaze。Helookedup，andthenatalarge，gilt-framed，posterboard，onwhichwasafinelithographofCarrie，lifesize。
Hurstwoodgazedatitamoment，snufflingandhunchingone，shoulder，asifsomethingwerescratchinghim。Hewassorun，down，however，thathismindwasnotexactlyclear。
Heapproachedthatentranceandwentin。
“Well？”saidtheattendant，staringathim。Seeinghimpause，he，wentoverandshovedhim。”Getoutofhere，“hesaid。
“IwanttoseeMissMadenda，“hesaid。
“Youdo，eh？”theothersaid，almosttickledatthespectacle。
“Getoutofhere，“andheshovedhimagain。Hurstwoodhadno，strengthtoresist。
“IwanttoseeMissMadenda，“hetriedtoexplain，evenashewas，beinghustledaway。”I’mallright。I——“
Themangavehimalastpushandclosedthedoor。Ashedidso，Hurstwoodslippedandfellinthesnow。Ithurthim，andsome，vaguesenseofshamereturned。Hebegantocryandswear，foolishly。
“Goddamneddog！”hesaid。”Damnedoldcur，“wipingtheslush，fromhisworthlesscoat。”I——Ihiredsuchpeopleasyouonce。”
NowafiercefeelingagainstCarriewelledup——justonefierce，angrythoughtbeforethewholethingslippedoutofhismind。
“Sheowesmesomethingtoeat，“hesaid。”Sheowesittome。”
HopelesslyheturnedbackintoBroadwayagainandsloppedonward，andaway，begging，crying，losingtrackofhisthoughts，one，afteranother，asaminddecayedanddisjointediswonttodo。
Itwastrulyawintryevening，afewdayslater，whenhisone，distinctmentaldecisionwasreached。Already，atfouro’clock，thesombrehueofnightwasthickeningtheair。Aheavysnowwas，falling——afinepicking，whippingsnow，borneforwardbyaswift，windinlong，thinlines。Thestreetswerebeddedwithit——six，inchesofcold，softcarpet，churnedtoadirtybrownbythe，crushofteamsandthefeetofmen。AlongBroadwaymenpicked，theirwayinulstersandumbrellas。AlongtheBowery，men，slouchedthroughitwithcollarsandhatspulledovertheirears。
Intheformerthoroughfarebusinessmenandtravellersweremaking，forcomfortablehotels。Inthelatter，crowdsoncolderrands，shiftedpastdingystores，inthedeeprecessesofwhichlights，werealreadygleaming。Therewereearlylightsinthecable，cars，whoseusualclatterwasreducedbythemantleaboutthe，wheels。Thewholecitywasmuffledbythisfast-thickening，mantle。
InhercomfortablechambersattheWaldorf，Carriewasreadingat，thistime“PereGoriot，“whichAmeshadrecommendedtoher。It，wassostrong，andAmes’smererecommendationhadsoarousedher，interest，thatshecaughtnearlythefullsympathetic，significanceofit。Forthefirsttime，itwasbeingbornein，uponherhowsillyandworthlesshadbeenherearlierreading，as，awhole。Becomingwearied，however，sheyawnedandcametothe，window，lookingoutupontheoldwindingprocessionofcarriages，rollingupFifthAvenue。
“Isn’titbad？”sheobservedtoLola。
“Terrible！”saidthatlittlelady，joiningher。”Ihopeitsnows，enoughtogosleighriding。”
“Oh，dear，“saidCarrie，withwhomthesufferingsofFather，Goriotwerestillkeen。”That’sallyouthinkof。Aren’tyou，sorryforthepeoplewhohaven’tanythingto-night？”
“OfcourseIam，“saidLola;“butwhatcanIdo？Ihaven’t，anything。”
Carriesmiled。
“Youwouldn’tcare，ifyouhad，“shereturned。
“Iwould，too，“saidLola。”Butpeoplenevergavemeanything，whenIwashardup。”
“Isn’titjustawful？”saidCarrie，studyingthewinter’sstorm。
“Lookatthatmanoverthere，“laughedLola，whohadcaughtsight，ofsomeonefallingdown。”Howsheepishmenlookwhentheyfall，don’tthey？”
“We’llhavetotakeacoachto-night，“answeredCarrieabsently。
InthelobbyoftheImperial，Mr。CharlesDrouetwasjust，arriving，shakingthesnowfromaveryhandsomeulster。Bad，weatherhaddrivenhimhomeearlyandstirredhisdesirefor，thosepleasureswhichshutoutthesnowandgloomoflife。A
gooddinner，thecompanyofayoungwoman，andaneveningatthe，theatrewerethechiefthingsforhim。
“Why，hello，Harry！”hesaid，addressingaloungerinoneofthe，comfortablelobbychairs。”Howareyou？”
“Oh，aboutsixandsix，“saidtheother。
“Rottenweather，isn’tit？”
“Well，Ishouldsay，“saidtheother。”I’vebeenjustsitting，herethinkingwhereI’dgoto-night。”
“Comealongwithme，“saidDrouet。”Icanintroduceyouto，somethingdeadswell。”
“Whoisit？”saidtheother。
“Oh，acoupleofgirlsoverhereinFortiethStreet。Wecould，haveadandytime。Iwasjustlookingforyou。”
“Supposingyouget’emandtake’emouttodinner？”
“Sure，“saidDrouet。”Wait’llIgoupstairsandchangemy，clothes。”
“Well，I’llbeinthebarbershop，“saidtheother。”Iwantto，getashave。”
“Allright，“saidDrouet，creakingoffinhisgoodshoestoward，theelevator。Theoldbutterflywasaslightonthewingas，ever。
OnanincomingvestibuledPullman，speedingatfortymilesan，hourthroughthesnowoftheevening，werethreeothers，all，related。
“Firstcallfordinnerinthedining-car，“aPullmanservitorwas，announcing，ashehastenedthroughtheaisleinsnow-whiteapron，andjacket。
“Idon’tbelieveIwanttoplayanymore，“saidtheyoungest，a，black-hairedbeauty，turnedsuperciliousbyfortune，asshe，pushedaeuchrehandawayfromher。
“Shallwegointodinner？”inquiredherhusband，whowasallthat，fineraimentcanmake。
“Oh，notyet，“sheanswered。”Idon’twanttoplayanymore，though。”
“Jessica，“saidhermother，whowasalsoastudyinwhatgood，clothingcandoforage，“pushthatpindowninyourtie——it’s，comingup。”
Jessicaobeyed，incidentallytouchingatherlovelyhairand，lookingatalittlejewel-facedwatch。Herhusbandstudiedher，forbeauty，evencold，isfascinatingfromonepointofview。
“Well，wewon’thavemuchmoreofthisweather，“hesaid。”It，onlytakestwoweekstogettoRome。”
Mrs。Hurstwoodnestledcomfortablyinhercornerandsmiled。It，wassonicetobethemother-in-lawofarichyoungman——one，whosefinancialstatehadborneherpersonalinspection。
“Doyousupposetheboatwillsailpromptly？”askedJessica，“if，itkeepsuplikethis？”
“Oh，yes，“answeredherhusband。”Thiswon’tmakeany，difference。”
Passingdowntheaislecameaveryfair-hairedbanker’sson，also，ofChicago，whohadlongeyedthissuperciliousbeauty。Evennow，hedidnothesitatetoglanceather，andshewasconsciousof，it。Withaspeciallyconjuredshowofindifference，sheturned，herprettyfacewhollyaway。Itwasnotwifelymodestyatall。
Bysomuchwasherpridesatisfied。
AtthismomentHurstwoodstoodbeforeadirtyfourstorybuilding，inasidestreetquiteneartheBowery，whoseone-timecoatof，buffhadbeenchangedbysootandrain。Hemingledwithacrowd，ofmen——acrowdwhichhadbeen，andwasstill，gatheringby，degrees。
Itbeganwiththeapproachoftwoorthree，whohungaboutthe，closedwoodendoorsandbeattheirfeettokeepthemwarm。They，hadonfadedderbyhatswithdentsinthem。Theirmisfitcoats，wereheavywithmeltedsnowandturnedupatthecollars。Their，trousersweremerebags，frayedatthebottomandwobblingover，big，soppyshoes，tornatthesidesandwornalmosttoshreds。
Theymadenoefforttogoin，butshiftedruefullyabout，digging，theirhandsdeepintheirpocketsandleeringatthecrowdand，theincreasinglamps。Withtheminutes，increasedthenumber。
Therewereoldmenwithgrizzledbeardsandsunkeneyes，menwho，werecomparativelyyoungbutshrunkenbydiseases，menwhowere，middle-aged。Nonewerefat。Therewasafaceinthethickof，thecollectionwhichwasaswhiteasdrainedveal。Therewas，anotherredasbrick。Somecamewiththin，roundedshoulders，otherswithwoodenlegs，stillotherswithframessoleanthat，clothesonlyflappedaboutthem。Thereweregreatears，swollen，noses，thicklips，and，aboveall，red，blood-shoteyes。Nota，normal，healthyfaceinthewholemass;notastraightfigure;
notastraightforward，steadyglance。
Inthedriveofthewindandsleettheypushedinononeanother。
Therewerewrists，unprotectedbycoatorpocket，whichwerered，withcold。Therewereears，halfcoveredbyeveryconceivable，semblanceofahat，whichstilllookedstiffandbitten。Inthe，snowtheyshifted，nowonefoot，nowanother，almostrockingin，unison。
Withthegrowthofthecrowdaboutthedoorcameamurmur。It，wasnotconversation，butarunningcommentdirectedatanyone，ingeneral。Itcontainedoathsandslangphrases。
“Bydamn，Iwishthey’dhurryup。”
“Lookatthecopperwatchin’。”
“Maybeitain’twinter，nuther！”
“IwishtIwasinSingSing。”
Nowasharperlashofwindcutdownandtheyhuddledcloser。It，wasanedging，shifting，pushingthrong。Therewasnoanger，no，pleading，nothreateningwords。Itwasallsullenendurance，unlightenedbyeitherwitorgoodfellowship。
Acarriagewentjinglingbywithsomerecliningfigureinit。
Oneofthemennearestthedoorsawit。
“Lookattheblokeridin’。”
“Heain’tsocold。”
“Eh，eh，eh！”yelledanother，thecarriagehavinglongsince，passedoutofhearing。
Littlebylittlethenightcrepton。Alongthewalkacrowd，turnedoutonitswayhome。Menandshop-girlswentbywith，quicksteps。Thecross-towncarsbegantobecrowded。Thegas，lampswereblazing，andeverywindowbloomedruddywithasteady，flame。Stillthecrowdhungaboutthedoor，unwavering。
“Ain’ttheyevergoin’toopenup？”queriedahoarsevoice，suggestively。
Thisseemedtorenewthegeneralinterestinthecloseddoor，and，manygazedinthatdirection。Theylookedatitasdumbbrutes，look，asdogspawandwhineandstudytheknob。Theyshiftedand，blinkedandmuttered，nowacurse，nowacomment。Stillthey，waitedandstillthesnowwhirledandcutthemwithbiting，flakes。Ontheoldhatsandpeakedshouldersitwaspiling。It，gatheredinlittleheapsandcurvesandnoonebrusheditoff。
Inthecentreofthecrowdthewarmthandsteammeltedit，and，watertrickledoffhatrimsanddownnoses，whichtheowners，couldnotreachtoscratch。Ontheouterrimthepilesremained，unmelted。Hurstwood，whocouldnotgetinthecentre，stoodwith，headloweredtotheweatherandbenthisform。
Alightappearedthroughthetransomoverhead。Itsentathrill，ofpossibilitythroughthewatchers。Therewasamurmurof，recognition。Atlastthebarsgratedinsideandthecrowd，prickedupitsears。Footstepsshuffledwithinanditmurmured，again。Someonecalled：“Slowupthere，now，“andthenthedoor，opened。Itwaspushandjamforaminute，withgrim，beast，silencetoproveitsquality，andthenitmeltedinward，like，logsfloating，anddisappeared。Therewerewethatsandwet，shoulders，acold，shrunken，disgruntledmass，pouringinbetween，bleakwalls。Itwasjustsixo’clockandtherewassupperin，everyhurryingpedestrian’sface。Andyetnosupperwasprovided，here——nothingbutbeds。
Hurstwoodlaiddownhisfifteencentsandcreptoffwithweary，stepstohisallottedroom。Itwasadingyaffair——wooden，dusty，hard。Asmallgas-jetfurnishedsufficientlightforso，ruefulacorner。
“Hm！”hesaid，clearinghisthroatandlockingthedoor。
Nowhebeganleisurelytotakeoffhisclothes，butstoppedfirst，withhiscoat，andtuckeditalongthecrackunderthedoor。His，vesthearrangedinthesameplace。Hisoldwet，crackedhathe，laidsoftlyuponthetable。Thenhepulledoffhisshoesandlay，down。
Itseemedasifhethoughtawhile，fornowhearoseandturned，thegasout，standingcalmlyintheblackness，hiddenfromview。
Afterafewmoments，inwhichhereviewednothing，butmerely，hesitated，heturnedthegasonagain，butappliednomatch。
Eventhenhestoodthere，hiddenwhollyinthatkindnesswhichis，night，whiletheuprisingfumesfilledtheroom。Whentheodour，reachedhisnostrils，hequithisattitudeandfumbledforthe，bed。”What’stheuse？”hesaid，weakly，ashestretchedhimself，torest。
AndnowCarriehadattainedthatwhichinthebeginningseemed，life’sobject，or，atleast，suchfractionofitashumanbeings，everattainoftheiroriginaldesires。Shecouldlookabouton，hergownsandcarriage，herfurnitureandbankaccount。Friends，therewere，astheworldtakesit——thosewhowouldbowandsmile，inacknowledgmentofhersuccess。Fortheseshehadoncecraved。
Applausetherewas，andpublicity——oncefaroff，essential，things，butnowgrowntrivialandindifferent。Beautyalso——her，typeofloveliness——andyetshewaslonely。Inherrocking-chair，shesat，whennototherwiseengaged——singinganddreaming。
Thusinlifethereisevertheintellectualandtheemotional，nature——themindthatreasons，andthemindthatfeels。Ofone，comethemenofaction——generalsandstatesmen;oftheother，the，poetsanddreamers——artistsall。
Asharpsinthewind，thelatterrespondtoeverybreathof，fancy，voicingintheirmoodsalltheebbandflowoftheideal。
Manhasnotyetcomprehendedthedreameranymorethanhehasthe，ideal。Forhimthelawsandmoralsoftheworldareunduly，severe。Everhearkeningtothesoundofbeauty，strainingfor，theflashofitsdistantwings，hewatchestofollow，wearying，hisfeetintravelling。SowatchedCarrie，sofollowed，rocking，andsinging。
Anditmustberememberedthatreasonhadlittlepartinthis。
Chicagodawning，shesawthecityofferingmoreofloveliness，thanshehadeverknown，andinstinctively，byforceofhermoods，alone，clungtoit。Infineraimentandelegantsurroundings，menseemedtobecontented。Hence，shedrewnearthesethings。
Chicago，NewYork;Drouet，Hurstwood;theworldoffashionand，theworldofstage——thesewerebutincidents。Notthem，butthat，whichtheyrepresented，shelongedfor。Timeprovedthe，representationfalse。
Oh，thetangleofhumanlife！，Howdimlyasyetwesee。Herewas，Carrie，inthebeginningpoor，unsophisticated。emotional;
respondingwithdesiretoeverythingmostlovelyinlife，yet，findingherselfturnedasbyawall。Lawstosay：“Beallured，ifyouwill，byeverythinglovely，butdrawnotnighunlessby，righteousness。”Conventiontosay：“Youshallnotbetteryour，situationsavebyhonestlabour。”Ifhonestlabourbe，unremunerativeanddifficulttoendure;ifitbethelong，long，roadwhichneverreachesbeauty，butweariesthefeetandthe，heart;ifthedragtofollowbeautybesuchthatoneabandonsthe，admiredway，takingratherthedespisedpathleadingtoher，dreamsquickly，whoshallcastthefirststone？Notevil，but，longingforthatwhichisbetter，moreoftendirectsthestepsof，theerring。Notevil，butgoodnessmoreoftenalluresthe，feelingmindunusedtoreason。
AmidthetinselandshineofherstatewalkedCarrie，unhappy。
AswhenDrouettookher，shehadthought：“NowIamliftedinto，thatwhichisbest“;aswhenHurstwoodseeminglyofferedherthe，betterway：“NowamIhappy。”Butsincetheworldgoesitsway，pastallwhowillnotpartakeofitsfolly，shenowfoundherself，alone。Herpursewasopentohimwhoseneedwasgreatest。In，herwalksonBroadway，shenolongerthoughtoftheeleganceof，thecreatureswhopassedher。Hadtheymoreofthatpeaceand，beautywhichglimmeredafaroff，thenweretheytobeenvied。
Drouetabandonedhisclaimandwasseennomore。OfHurstwood’s，deathshewasnotevenaware。Aslow，blackboatsettingout，fromthepieratTwenty-seventhStreetuponitsweeklyerrand，bore，withmanyothers，hisnamelessbodytothePotter’sField。
Thuspassedallthatwasofinterestconcerningthesetwainin，theirrelationtoher。Theirinfluenceuponherlifeis，explicablealonebythenatureofherlongings。Timewaswhen，bothrepresentedforherallthatwasmostpotentinearthly，success。Theywerethepersonalrepresentativesofastatemost，blessedtoattain——thetitledambassadorsofcomfortandpeace，aglowwiththeircredentials。Itisbutnaturalthatwhenthe，worldwhichtheyrepresentednolongeralluredher，its，ambassadorsshouldbediscredited。EvenhadHurstwoodreturned，inhisoriginalbeautyandglory，hecouldnotnowhaveallured，her。Shehadlearnedthatinhisworld，asinherownpresent，state，wasnothappiness。
Sittingalone，shewasnowanillustrationofthedeviouswaysby，whichonewhofeels，ratherthanreasons，maybeledinthe，pursuitofbeauty。Thoughoftendisillusioned，shewasstill，waitingforthathalcyondaywhenshewouldbeledforthamong，dreamsbecomereal。Ameshadpointedoutafartherstep，buton，andonbeyondthat，ifaccomplished，wouldlieothersforher。
Itwasforevertobethepursuitofthatradianceofdelight，whichtintsthedistanthilltopsoftheworld。
Oh，Carrie，Carrie！Oh，blindstrivingsofthehumanheart！
Onwardonward，itsaith，andwherebeautyleads，thereit，follows。Whetheritbethetinkleofalonesheepbello’ersome，quietlandscape，ortheglimmerofbeautyinsylvanplaces，or，theshowofsoulinsomepassingeye，theheartknowsandmakes，answer，following。Itiswhenthefeetwearyandhopeseemsvain，thattheheartachesandthelongingsarise。Know，then，thatfor，youisneithersurfeitnorcontent。Inyourrocking-chair，by，yourwindowdreaming，shallyoulong，alone。Inyourrocking-
chair，byyourwindow，shallyoudreamsuchhappinessasyoumay，neverfeel。
TheEnd
