Sister Carrie
onsideration. Actions such as hers are measured by an arbitrary scale. Society possesses a conventional standard
evolution. It is yet deeper than conformity to things of earth alone. It is more involved than we, as yet, perceive. Answer, first, why the heart thrills; explain wherefore some plaintive n
uet, "how delicio
th mournful misgivings,
interested, confused; endeavouring to evolve the tr
n Place, facing Union Park, on the West Side. That was a little, green-carpeted breathing spot, than which, to-day, there is nothing more beautiful in Chicago. It afforded a vista pleasant to contemplate. The best room looked out upon the l
ières filled with gorgeous, impossible flowers. There was a large pier-glass mirror between the two windows. A large, soft, green, plush-covered couch occup
n, where Drouet had Carrie establish a little portable gas stove for the preparation of small lunches, oysters, Welsh rarebits, and the like, of which he was exceedingly fond; and, lastly, a bath. The whole place was cosey, in that it was lighted by gas and heate
altogether so turned about in all of her earthly relationships that she might well have been a new and different individual. She looked into her glass and saw a prettier Carrie than
le beauty," Drouet was
at him with lar
don't you?" he
t that one should think so, hesitating to believe, though she r
xcused. It was no just and sapient counsellor, in its last analysis. It was only an average little conscience, a thing which represen
ailure!" sa
she que
d they scorn to do what you have done. Look at the good girls; how will they draw away
when the pleasant side was not too apparent, when Drouet was not there. It was somewhat clear in utterance at first, but never wholly convincing. There was alwa
superior order of mind which arrogates to itself all refinement, feel this, but dogs and all men. These feel as much as the poet, though they have not the same power of expression. The sparrow upon the wire, the cat in the doorway, the dray horse tugging his weary load, feel the long, keen breaths of winter. It strikes to the heart of all life, animate and inanimate. If it were not for the artificial fires of merriment, the rush of profit-seeking trade, and pleasure-selling amusements; if the
the secret voice would reassert
he had not the mind to get firm hold upon a definite truth. When she could not find her way out o
spent money upon her, and when he travelled took her with him. There were times when she would be alone for two
d so established themselves, "I've invited my friend Hurs
asked Carri
. He's manager of Fi
hat?" sai
in town. It's a w
wondering what Drouet had told
eling her thought. "He doesn't know
rie as slightly inconsiderate. She could see th
he inquired, thinking of the
ust as soon as I get this li
h required so much attention, adjustment, and what not, that som
ack from my Denver trip
e to her conscience, a pleasant way out. Under the circumsta
y, she would have been worse off than she was. She would have adored him. She would have been utterly wretched in her fear of not gaining his affection, of losing his interest, of being swept away and left witho
attentiveness. Schooled in winning those birds of fine feather among his own sex, the merchants and professionals who visited his resort, he could use even greater tact when endeavouring to prove agreeable to some one who charmed him.
with many who were not quite schooled in the art of love. He failed dismally where the woman was slightly experienced and possessed innate refinement. In the case of Carrie he found a woman who was all of the latter, but no
d Hurstwood, smiling at Carrie, on the evenin
not thoug
t," he obse
play," vent
turned Hurstwood. "You could
His cravat was a shiny combination of silken threads, not loud, not inconspicuous. What he wore did not strike the eye so forcibly as that which Drouet had on, but Carrie could see the elegance of the material. Hurstwood's shoes were of soft, black calf, polished only to a dull shine. Drou
uggest that he knew anything of Carrie's past. He kept away from personalities altogether, and confined himself to those things which did not concern individual
how to play,
ty," he observed to Drouet most affably. "Betw
he was pleased to be there. Drouet felt really closer to him than ever before. It gave him more respect for C
ie's shoulder very deferentially. "What have you?" H
ow you how to trounce your
g to scheme together, I won't stand a gho
She brings me luck. W
ormer took the air of a mere friend. He was simply there to enjoy
d cards, and giving Carrie a chance to take a tri
he hand coming her way. It was as if she
geniality and kindness. He took back the shifty, clever gleam, and replaced it with one of innocence. Carrie could not
thing," he said after a time, slipping his finger into t
aid Drouet, fi
of new ten-cent pieces. "Here we are," he s
bling," smiled C
If you never play for more tha
wood to Carrie gently, "until yo
et s
ts them, he'll tell
laugh
rstwood's voice, the insinuation was so perc
ave?" said Hurs
sday," he
nd running about like that, isn't it
g with me this ti
with me to the the
said Drouet.
ever so much,
counting her winnings, and finally gathered and put them in her extended hand. They spre
and then Drouet with his eyes, "you must
here was his cab waiting, its red la
ship, "when you leave your wife alone, you must let me s
, quite pleased at
kind," obse
od, "I would want your hus
ghly impressed. She had never come in contact with
arrie, as they returned to their cosey
to be," sa