Sister Carrie
ile her feelings were different, increased her knowledge of its character. Minnie, after the good spir
his working clothes, and looked at Carrie thro
"it's pretty hard
howed plainer than any words that
, lingering a moment as he turned u
achine," ans
ide of the flat's success. He was irritated a shade because it could
ave been a jolly home, a sympathetic reception, a bright supper table, and some one to say: "Oh, well, stand it a little while. You will get something better," but now this was ashes. She began to see that they looked upon her com
aid of physical expression. He was as still as a deserted chamber. Carrie, on the other hand, had the blood of youth and some imagination. Her day of love and the mysteries of courtship were still ahead. She could think of things she would like
he came. After supper she changed her clothes. When she was trimly dressed she was rather a sweet little being, with large eyes and a sad mouth. Her face expressed the mingled expectancy, dissatisfaction, and depression she felt. She wandered about after th
id Minnie to her husband when the latter came out, pa
time, anyhow," said Hanson
said
ere you. She might be here week
would, and Hanso
er, "I wouldn't let her stand in the
l her," s
Her imagination trod a very narrow round, always winding up at points which concerned money, looks, clothes, or enjoyment. She would have a far-off thought of Columbia Ci
ed by a bakery, and to this, while she was standing there, Hanson came down to bu
," was all he sa
rrie was doing. No sooner did he draw near her with that in mind than she felt it. Of course, she had no understanding of what put it into her
he quarter hours that Drouet was not coming, and somehow she felt a little resentful, a little as if she had been forsaken-was not good enough. She went upstairs, where everything was si
rned Minnie. "You've got
rest which they could mutually discuss. As on the previous morning, Carrie walked down town, for she began to realise now that her four-fifty would not even allow her car
wearisome as the preceding, but considerably less novel
u come from?"
hired me,"
d then, "See that yo
e "common." Carrie had more imagination than they. She was not used to slang. Her instinct in the matter of dr
k to her neighbour. "What with the stipend an
exchanged banter in rude phrases, which at first shocked her. She saw
y." He really expected to hear the common "Aw! go chase yourself!" in return, and was
any. Standing at the street door looking out, she ventured to walk out a little way. Her easy gait and idle manner attracted attention of an offensive but co
e stroll, are yo
summoned sufficient thought to reply: "Why,
matter," said th
, reaching her own door quite out of breath. There w
found herself too tired to walk home, and expended car fare. She was not very stro
e to continue even a natural growth. It would have been better if her acclimatization had been more gradual-less rigid. She would hav
s worn and faded. There was the kind of vanity in Carrie that troubled at this. She went to one of the gre
for, Carrie?" asked Mi
d one," sa
oolish
y. She was not going to be a common shop-girl
less. That worthy gave up just four dollars less toward the household expenses with a smile of satisfaction. He contemplated increasing his Building and Loan payments.
reet for a walk," sh
are you?"
returne
n't," sa
he tone she put into the last word they realised
sked Hanson, when she went into
know," sa
know better than to
rd the highly coloured reports which girls give of their trivial amusements. They had been happy. On several days it rained and she used up car fare. One night she got thoroughly soaked, going to catch the
d to her the fact that they had more of their earnings to use for themselves than she did. They had young men of the kind whom she, since her experience with Drouet, felt abo
amers of smoke from the tall stacks, and raced about the streets and corners in sharp and sudden puffs. Carrie now felt the problem of winter clothes
out clothes," she said one evening wh
looked
elf one?" she suggested, worried over the situation
k or so, if you don't
two dollars?"
e was elated and began figuring at once. She needed a hat first of all. How Minnie explained to Hanson she
out of the warm shop at six and shivered as the wind struck her. In the morning she was sneezing, and going down town made it worse. That day her bones ached and
said Carrie. "
ttering chill, and went to bed sick. The
better go back home for a while. When she got up after three days, it was taken for granted that h
"I'll go down Monday and se
she had spent for a hat. For three days she wandered about, utterly dispirited. The attitude of the flat was fast becoming unbearable. She hated to
es without success. She even answered for a waitress in a small restaurant where she saw a card in the window, but they wanted an experien
only rosy-cheeked, but radiant. He was the essence of sunshine and good-humo
r his irresistible
out home,
t there. I thought it was you. I was just co
ht," said Ca
over and saw som
lk to you. You're not going an
now," sa
omething to eat. George! but
ch looked after and cared for, that she assented gl
was an exuberance of good-fellowship in the wo
th an excellent cuisine and substantial service. Drouet selected a table close by the window, where the busy
ie and himself comfortably s
ings she saw there awakened her desires, but the high prices held her attention. "Half broiled spring chicken-seventy-five. Sirloin
exclaimed Droue
ll-chested, round-faced negro,
ooms," said Drouet.
ted the negro,
brown po
ssa
arag
ssa
pot of
ng since breakfast. Just got in from Rock Isl
miled an
e went on. "Tell me all about
rned Carrie, answe
ed at h
"you haven't bee
ie n
? You don't look very well. I thought you loo
g," sai
t say so!
told
use. Over here on Fifth Avenue, isn't it? They're
nything else," sa
ughtn't to be working for those people. Have t
said
Drouet. "You don't want to wor
matter of serving. He appeared to great advantage behind the white napery and silver platters of the table and displaying his arms with a knife and fork. As he cut the meat his rings almost spoke. His new suit creaked as he stretched to reach the plates, br
g outside seemed a splendid thing. Ah, what was it not to have money! What a thing it was to be able to come in here and dine! Drouet must be fortunate. He rode on tra
e you got sick, eh?" he said.
that hung outside this fine restaurant like a
"that won't do. How lon
ys," she
t to be doing anything like that. These girls," and he waved an inclusion of all
nd her eyes were large and gentle. Drouet looked at her and his thoughts reached home. She felt his admiration. It was powerfully backed by his liberality and good-humour. She felt that she liked him-that she could continue to li
e theatre with me?" he said, hitching his
an't," s
u going to d
answered, a l
out there where
don't
ing to do if you
home, I
uence he was exerting was powerful. They came to an understanding of each o
sympathy filling his mind for the time. "L
he said, le
u going to d
ting, merely s
bills in his vest pocket-greenbacks. They were soft and noiseless,
see you through all right.
and now she realised how bad off she was. In his crude w
er. They were quite alone in their corner,
said, "what can you do
eld it fast, and she no longer protested. Then he slipped the greenba
-that's all right. I
nge tie of affection now. They went out, and he walk
he said in one place, abstractedly. Carrie h
rrow," he said, "and we'll g
ted a while,
g. Get yourself a nice pa
ch would trouble her when he was gone. In his prese
e people out there," he said
ed out before her to draw off trouble. The money she had