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Sister Carrie

Chapter 6 THE MACHINE AND THE MAIDEN--A KNIGHT OF TO-DAY

Word Count: 4183    |    Released on: 18/11/2017

ile her feelings were different, increased her knowledge of its character. Minnie, after the good spir

his working clothes, and looked at Carrie throug

"it's pretty hard

owed plainer than any words that sh

lingering a moment as he turned upo

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 lik

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 the

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

her," sai

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

e 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 sil

ned Minnie. "You've got to

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

earisome as the preceding, but considerably less novel.

u come from?"

hired me,"

d then, "See that yo

"common." Carrie had more imagination than they. She was not used to slang. Her instinct in the matter of dres

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 com

e stroll, are yo

ummoned sufficient thought to reply: "Why, I

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

uires sometimes a richer soil, a better atmosphere to continue even a natural growth

a position so quickly, and had seen more of the

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?" as

eturned

't," said

e tone she put into the last word they realised f

sked Hanson, when she went into

know," sa

now better than to wa

d 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 c

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

mers 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?"

was elated and began figuring at once. She needed a hat first of all. How Minnie explained to Hanson she n

ut 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 sh

said Carrie. "I

tering chill, and went to bed sick. The n

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-humour

his irresistible f

out home,

t there. I thought it was you. I was just co

t," said Carr

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 wor

h an excellent cuisine and substantial service. Drouet selected a table close by the window, where the busy ro

ie and himself comfortably s

ngs she saw there awakened her desires, but the high prices held her attention. "Half broiled spring chicken--seventy-five. Sirloin s

exclaimed Droue

l-chested, round-faced negro, ap

ooms," said Drouet.

ed the negro, no

brown po

ssa

arag

ssa

pot of

ng since breakfast. Just got in from Rock Isl

miled an

went on. "Tell me all about y

ned Carrie, answeri

ed at h

you haven't been

e nod

? You don't look very well. I thought you loo

," said

t say so!

told

ouse. over here on Fifth Avenue, isn't it? They'r

nything else," sa

ghtn't to be working for those people. Have the

said

Drouet. "You don't want to work

tter 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, brea

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 train

e you got sick, eh?" he said.

that hung outside this fine restaurant like a

that won't do. How long

s," she a

to be doing anything like that. These girls," and he waved an inclusion of all s

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

ence he was exerting was powerful. They came to an understanding of each oth

sympathy filling his mind for the time. "L

he said, le

u going to d

ing, merely sha

bills in his vest pocket--greenbacks. They were soft and noiseless,

ee you through all right. G

nd now she realised how bad off she was. In his crude way

r. They were quite alone in their corner, a

said, "what can you do

eld it fast, and she no longer protested. Then he slipped the greenba

--that's all right.

ge tie of affection now. They went out, and he walked

e said in one place, abstractedly. Carrie hea

rrow," he said, "and we'll g

ed a while, bu

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

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Open
1 Chapter 1 THE MAGNET ATTRACTING--A WAIF AMID FORCES2 Chapter 2 WHAT POVERTY THREATENED--OF GRANITE AND BRASS3 Chapter 3 WEE QUESTION OF FORTUNE--FOUR-FIFTY A WEEK4 Chapter 4 THE SPENDINGS OF FANCY--FACTS ANSWER WITH SNEERS5 Chapter 5 A GLITTERING NIGHT FLOWER--THE USE OF A NAME6 Chapter 6 THE MACHINE AND THE MAIDEN--A KNIGHT OF TO-DAY7 Chapter 7 WHAT POVERTY THREATENED--OF GRANITE AND BRASS8 Chapter 8 INTIMATIONS BY WINTER--AN AMBASSADOR SUMMONED9 Chapter 12 OF THE LAMPS OF THE MANSIONS--THE AMBASSADOR PLEA10 Chapter 13 HIS CREDENTIALS ACCEPTED--A BABEL OF TONGUES11 Chapter 14 WITH EYES AND NOT SEEING--ONE INFLUENCE WANES12 Chapter 15 THE IRK OF THE OLD TIES--THE MAGIC OF YOUTH13 Chapter 16 A WITLESS ALADDIN THE GATE TO THE WORLD14 Chapter 17 A GLIMPSE THROUGH THE GATEWAY HOPE LIGHTENS THE EYE15 Chapter 18 JUST OVER THE BORDER A HAIL AND FAREWELL16 Chapter 19 AN HOUR IN ELFLAND A CLAMOUR HALF HEARD17 Chapter 20 THE LURE OF THE SPIRIT THE FLESH IN PURSUIT18 Chapter 21 THE LURE OF THE SPIRIT THE FLESH IN PURSUIT19 Chapter 22 THE BLAZE OF THE TINDER FLESH WARS WITH THE FLESH20 Chapter 23 A SPIRIT IN TRAVAIL ONE RUNG PUT BEHIND21 Chapter 24 ASHES OF TINDER A FACE AT THE WINDOW22 Chapter 25 ASHES OF TINDER THE LOOSING OF STAYS23 Chapter 26 THE AMBASSADOR FALLEN A SEARCH FOR THE GATE24 Chapter 27 WHEN WATERS ENGULF US WE REACH FOR A STAR25 Chapter 28 A PILGRIM, AN OUTLAW THE SPIRIT DETAINED26 Chapter 29 THE SOLACE OF TRAVEL THE BOATS OF THE SEA27 Chapter 30 THE KINGDOM OF GREATNESS THE PILGRIM ADREAM28 Chapter 31 A PET OF GOOD FORTUNE BROADWAY FLAUNTS ITS JOYS29 Chapter 32 THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR A SEER TO TRANSLATE30 Chapter 33 WITHOUT THE WALLED CITY THE SLOPE OF THE YEARS31 Chapter 34 THE GRIND OF THE MILLSTONES A SAMPLE OF CHAFF32 Chapter 35 THE PASSING OF EFFORT THE VISAGE OF CARE33 Chapter 36 A GRIM RETROGRESSION THE PHANTOM OF CHANCE34 Chapter 37 THE SPIRIT AWAKENS NEW SEARCH FOR THE GATE35 Chapter 38 IN ELF LAND DISPORTING THE GRIM WORLD WITHOUT36 Chapter 39 OF LIGHTS AND OF SHADOWS THE PARTING OF WORLDS37 Chapter 40 A PUBLIC DISSENSION A FINAL APPEAL38 Chapter 41 THE STRIKE39 Chapter 42 A TOUCH OF SPRING THE EMPTY SHELL40 Chapter 43 THE WORLD TURNS FLATTERER AN EYE IN THE DARK41 Chapter 44 AND THIS IS NOT ELF LAND WHAT GOLD WILL NOT BUY42 Chapter 45 CURIOUS SHIFTS OF THE POOR43 Chapter 46 STIRRING TROUBLED WATERS44 Chapter 47 THE WAY OF THE BEATEN A HARP IN THE WIND