“Itain’tnofun，isit？”heinquired，wishingvainlyfora，cheeryreply。

“Notmuch，“answeredHurstwood。

“I’dtacklehimnow，“volunteeredtheyouth。”Hemaygo’way。”

Hurstwooddidso。

“Isn’ttheresomeplaceIcanstayaroundhereto-night？”he，inquired。”IfIhavetogobacktoNewYork，I’mafraidIwon’t“

“There’resomecotsupstairs，“interruptedtheman，“ifyouwant，oneofthem。”

“That’lldo，“heassented。

Hemeanttoaskforamealticket，buttheseeminglyproper，momentnevercame，andhedecidedtopayhimselfthatnight。

“I’llaskhiminthemorning。”

Heateinacheaprestaurantinthevicinity，and，beingcoldand，lonely，wentstraightofftoseektheloftinquestion。The，companywasnotattemptingtoruncarsafternightfall。Itwas，soadvisedbythepolice。

Theroomseemedtohavebeenaloungingplacefornightworkers。

Thereweresomeninecotsintheplace，twoorthreewooden，chairs，asoapbox，andasmall，round-belliedstove，inwhicha，firewasblazing。Earlyashewas，anothermanwastherebefore，him。Thelatterwassittingbesidethestovewarminghishands。

Hurstwoodapproachedandheldouthisowntowardthefire。He，wassickofthebarenessandprivationofallthingsconnected，withhisventure，butwassteelinghimselftoholdout。He，fanciedhecouldforawhile。

“Cold，isn’tit？”saidtheearlyguest。

“Rather。”

Alongsilence。

“Notmuchofaplacetosleepin，isit？”saidtheman。

“Betterthannothing，“repliedHurstwood。

Anothersilence。

“IbelieveI’llturnin，“saidtheman。

Rising，hewenttooneofthecotsandstretchedhimself，removingonlyhisshoes，andpullingtheoneblanketanddirty，oldcomforteroverhiminasortofbundle。Thesightdisgusted，Hurstwood，buthedidnotdwellonit，choosingtogazeintothe，stoveandthinkofsomethingelse。Presentlyhedecidedto，retire，andpickedacot，alsoremovinghisshoes。

Whilehewasdoingso，theyouthwhohadadvisedhimtocomehere，entered，and，seeingHurstwood，triedtobegenial。

“Better’nnothin’，“heobserved，lookingaround。

Hurstwooddidnottakethistohimself。Hethoughtittobean，expressionofindividualsatisfaction，andsodidnotanswer。

Theyouthimaginedhewasoutofsorts，andsettowhistling，softly。Seeinganothermanasleep，hequitthatandlapsedinto，silence。

Hurstwoodmadethebestofabadlotbykeepingonhisclothes，andpushingawaythedirtycoveringfromhishead，butatlasthe，dozedinsheerweariness。Thecoveringbecamemoreandmore，comfortable，itscharacterwasforgotten，andhepulleditabout，hisneckandslept。

Inthemorninghewasarousedoutofapleasantdreambyseveral，menstirringaboutinthecold，cheerlessroom。Hehadbeenback，inChicagoinfancy，inhisowncomfortablehome。Jessicahad，beenarrangingtogosomewhere，andhehadbeentalkingwithher，aboutit。Thiswassoclearinhismind，thathewasstartled，nowbythecontrastofthisroom。Heraisedhishead，andthe，cold，bitterrealityjarredhimintowakefulness。

“GuessI’dbettergetup，“hesaid。

Therewasnowateronthisfloor。Heputonhisshoesinthe，coldandstoodup，shakinghimselfinhisstiffness。Hisclothes，feltdisagreeable，hishairbad。

“Hell！”hemuttered，asheputonhishat。

Downstairsthingswerestirringagain。

Hefoundahydrant，withatroughwhichhadoncebeenusedfor，horses，buttherewasnotowelhere，andhishandkerchiefwas，soiledfromyesterday。Hecontentedhimselfwithwettinghis，eyeswiththeice-coldwater。Thenhesoughttheforeman，who，wasalreadyontheground。

“Hadyourbreakfastyet？”inquiredthatworthy。

“No，“saidHurstwood。

“Bettergetit，then;yourcarwon’tbereadyforalittle，while。”

Hurstwoodhesitated。

“Couldyouletmehaveamealticket？”heaskedwithaneffort。

“Hereyouare，“saidtheman，handinghimone。

Hebreakfastedaspoorlyasthenightbeforeonsomefriedsteak，andbadcoffee。Thenhewentback。

“Here，“saidtheforeman，motioninghim，whenhecamein。”You，takethiscaroutinafewminutes。”

Hurstwoodclimbedupontheplatforminthegloomybarnand，waitedforasignal。Hewasnervous，andyetthethingwasa，relief。Anythingwasbetterthanthebarn。

Onthisthefourthdayofthestrike，thesituationhadtakena，turnfortheworse。Thestrikers，followingthecounseloftheir，leadersandthenewspapers，hadstruggledpeaceablyenough。

Therehadbeennogreatviolencedone。Carshadbeenstopped，it，istrue，andthemenarguedwith。Somecrewshadbeenwonover，andledaway，somewindowsbroken，somejeeringandyellingdone;

butinnomorethanfiveorsixinstanceshadmenbeenseriously，injured。Thesebycrowdswhoseactstheleadersdisclaimed。

Idleness，however，andthesightofthecompany，backedbythe，police，triumphing，angeredthemen。Theysawthateachdaymore，carsweregoingon，eachdaymoredeclarationswerebeingmadeby，thecompanyofficialsthattheeffectiveoppositionofthe，strikerswasbroken。Thisputdesperatethoughtsinthemindsof，themen。Peacefulmethodsmeant，theysaw，thatthecompanies，wouldsoonrunalltheircarsandthosewhohadcomplainedwould，beforgotten。Therewasnothingsohelpfultothecompaniesas，peacefulmethods。

Allatoncetheyblazedforth，andforaweektherewasstormand，stress。Carswereassailed，menattacked，policemenstruggled，with，trackstornup，andshotsfired，untilatlaststreet，fightsandmobmovementsbecamefrequent，andthecitywas，investedwithmilitia。

Hurstwoodknewnothingofthechangeoftemper。

“Runyourcarout，“calledtheforeman，wavingavigoroushandat，him。Agreenconductorjumpedupbehindandrangthebelltwice，asasignaltostart。Hurstwoodturnedtheleverandranthecar，outthroughthedoorintothestreetinfrontofthebarn。Here，twobrawnypolicemengotupbesidehimontheplatform——oneon，eitherhand。

Atthesoundofagongnearthebarndoor，twobellsweregiven，bytheconductorandHurstwoodopenedhislever。

Thetwopolicemenlookedaboutthemcalmly。

“’Tiscold，allright，thismorning，“saidtheoneontheleft，whopossessedarichbrogue。

“Ihadenoughofityesterday，“saidtheother。”Iwouldn’twant，asteadyjobofthis。”

“NorI。”

NeitherpaidtheslightestattentiontoHurstwood，whostood，facingthecoldwind，whichwaschillinghimcompletely，and，thinkingofhisorders。

“Keepasteadygait，“theforemanhadsaid。”Don’tstopforany，onewhodoesn’tlooklikearealpassenger。Whateveryoudo，don’tstopforacrowd。”

Thetwoofficerskeptsilentforafewmoments。

“Thelastmanmusthavegonethroughallright，“saidtheofficer，ontheleft。”Idon’tseehiscaranywhere。”

“Who’sonthere？”askedthesecondofficer，referring，ofcourse，toitscomplementofpolicemen。

“SchaefferandRyan。”

Therewasanothersilence，inwhichthecarransmoothlyalong。

Therewerenotsomanyhousesalongthispartoftheway。

Hurstwooddidnotseemanypeopleeither。Thesituationwasnot，whollydisagreeabletohim。Ifhewerenotsocold，hethought，hewoulddowellenough。

Hewasbroughtoutofthisfeelingbythesuddenappearanceofa，curveahead，whichhehadnotexpected。Heshutoffthecurrent，anddidanenergeticturnatthebrake，butnotintimetoavoid，anunnaturallyquickturn。Itshookhimupandmadehimfeel，likemakingsomeapologeticremarks，butherefrained。

“Youwanttolookoutforthemthings，“saidtheofficeronthe，left，condescendingly。

“That’sright，“agreedHurstwood，shamefacedly。

“There’slotsofthemonthisline，“saidtheofficeronthe，right。

Aroundthecorneramorepopulatedwayappeared。Oneortwo，pedestrianswereinviewahead。Aboycomingoutofagatewith，atinmilkbucketgaveHurstwoodhisfirstobjectionable，greeting。

“Scab！”heyelled。”Scab！”

Hurstwoodheardit，buttriedtomakenocomment，evento，himself。Heknewhewouldgetthat，andmuchmoreofthesame，sort，probably。

Atacornerfartherupamanstoodbythetrackandsignalledthe，cartostop。

“Nevermindhim，“saidoneoftheofficers。”He’suptosome，game。”

Hurstwoodobeyed。Atthecornerhesawthewisdomofit。No，soonerdidthemanperceivetheintentiontoignorehim，thanhe，shookhisfist。

“Ah，youbloodycoward！”heyelled。

Somehalfdozenmen，standingonthecorner，flungtauntsand，jeersafterthespeedingcar。

Hurstwoodwincedtheleastbit。Therealthingwasslightly，worsethanthethoughtsofithadbeen。

Nowcameinsight，threeorfourblocksfartheron，aheapof，somethingonthetrack。

“They’vebeenatwork，here，allright，“saidoneofthe，policemen。

“We’llhaveanargument，maybe，“saidtheother。

Hurstwoodranthecarcloseandstopped。Hehadnotdoneso，wholly，however，beforeacrowdgatheredabout。Itwascomposed，ofex-motormenandconductorsinpart，withasprinklingof，friendsandsympathisers。

“Comeoffthecar，pardner，“saidoneofthemeninavoicemeant，tobeconciliatory。”Youdon’twanttotakethebreadoutof，anotherman’smouth，doyou？”

Hurstwoodheldtohisbrakeandlever，paleandveryuncertain，whattodo。

“Standback，“yelledoneoftheofficers，leaningoverthe，platformrailing。”Clearoutofthis，now。Givethemana，chancetodohiswork。”

“Listen，pardner，“saidtheleader，ignoringthepolicemanand，addressingHurstwood。”We’reallworkingmen，likeyourself。If，youwerearegularmotorman，andhadbeentreatedaswe’vebeen，youwouldn’twantanyonetocomeinandtakeyourplace，would，you？Youwouldn’twantanyonetodoyououtofyourchanceto，getyourrights，wouldyou？”

“Shutheroff！shutheroff！”urgedtheotherofthepolicemen，roughly。”Getoutofthis，now，“andhejumpedtherailingand，landedbeforethecrowdandbeganshoving。Instantlytheother，officerwasdownbesidehim。

“Standback，now，“theyyelled。”Getoutofthis。Whatthehell，doyoumean？Out，now。”

Itwaslikeasmallswarmofbees。

“Don’tshoveme，“saidoneofthestrikers，determinedly。”I’m，notdoinganything。”

“Getoutofthis！”criedtheofficer，swinginghisclub。”I’ll，giveyeabatonthesconce。Back，now。”

“Whatthehell！”criedanotherofthestrikers，pushingtheother，way，addingatthesametimesomelustyoaths。

Crackcameanofficer’sclubonhisforehead。Heblinkedhis，eyesblindlyafewtimes，wabbledonhislegs，threwuphis，hands，andstaggeredback。Inreturn，aswiftfistlandedonthe，officer’sneck。

Infuriatedbythis，thelatterplungedleftandright，laying，aboutmadlywithhisclub。Hewasablyassistedbyhisbrother，oftheblue，whopouredponderousoathsuponthetroubledwaters。

Noseveredamagewasdone，owingtotheagilityofthestrikers，inkeepingoutofreach。Theystoodaboutthesidewalknowand，jeered。

“Whereistheconductor？”yelledoneoftheofficers，gettinghis，eyeonthatindividual，whohadcomenervouslyforwardtostand，byHurstwood。Thelatterhadstoodgazinguponthescenewith，moreastonishmentthanfear。

“Whydon’tyoucomedownhereandgetthesestonesoffthe，track？”inquiredtheofficer。”Whatyoustandingtherefor？Do，youwanttostayhereallday？Getdown。”

Hurstwoodbreathedheavilyinexcitementandjumpeddownwiththe，nervousconductorasifhehadbeencalled。

“Hurryup，now，“saidtheotherpoliceman。

Coldasitwas，theseofficerswerehotandmad。Hurstwood，workedwiththeconductor，liftingstoneafterstoneandwarming，himselfbythework。

“Ah，youscab，you！”yelledthecrowd。”Youcoward！Steala，man’sjob，willyou？Robthepoor，willyou，youthief？We’llget，youyet，now。Wait。”

Notallofthiswasdeliveredbyoneman。Itcamefromhereand，there，incorporatedwithmuchmoreofthesamesortandcurses。

“Work，youblackguards，“yelledavoice。”Dothedirtywork。

You’rethesuckersthatkeepthepoorpeopledown！”

“MayGodstarveyeyet，“yelledanoldIrishwoman，whonowthrew，openanearbywindowandstuckoutherhead。

“Yes，andyou，“sheadded，catchingtheeyeofoneofthe，policemen。”Youbloody，murtherin’thafe！Crackmysonoverthe，head，willyou，youhardhearted，murtherin’divil？Ah，ye——“

Buttheofficerturnedadeafear。

“Gotothedevil，youoldhag，“hehalfmutteredashestared，rounduponthescatteredcompany。

Nowthestoneswereoff，andHurstwoodtookhisplaceagainamid，acontinuedchorusofepithets。Bothofficersgotupbesidehim，andtheconductorrangthebell，when，bang！bang！throughwindow，anddoorcamerocksandstones。OnenarrowlygrazedHurstwood’s，head。Anothershatteredthewindowbehind。

“Throwopenyourlever，“yelledoneoftheofficers，grabbingat，thehandlehimself。

Hurstwoodcompliedandthecarshotaway，followedbyarattleof，stonesandarainofcurses。

“That——hitmeintheneck，“saidoneofthe，officers。”Igavehimagoodcrackforit，though。”

“IthinkImusthaveleftspotsonsomeofthem，“saidtheother。

“Iknowthatbigguythatcalledusa——“saidthe，first。”I’llgethimyetforthat。”

“Ithoughtwewereinforitsure，oncethere，“saidthesecond。

Hurstwood，warmedandexcited，gazedsteadilyahead。Itwasan，astonishingexperienceforhim。Hehadreadofthesethings，but，therealityseemedsomethingaltogethernew。Hewasnocowardin，spirit。Thefactthathehadsufferedthismuchnowrather，operatedtoarouseastoliddeterminationtostickitout。He，didnotrecurinthoughttoNewYorkortheflat。Thisonetrip，seemedaconsumingthing。

TheynowranintothebusinessheartofBrooklynuninterrupted。

PeoplegazedatthebrokenwindowsofthecarandatHurstwoodin，hisplainclothes。Voicescalled“scab“nowandthen，aswellas，otherepithets，butnocrowdattackedthecar。Atthedowntown，endoftheline，oneoftheofficerswenttocalluphisstation，andreportthetrouble。

“There’sagangoutthere，“hesaid，“layingforusyet。Better，sendsomeoneoverthereandcleanthemout。”

Thecarranbackmorequietly——hooted，watched，flungat，butnot，attacked。Hurstwoodbreathedfreelywhenhesawthebarns。

“Well，“heobservedtohimself，“Icameoutofthatallright。”

Thecarwasturnedinandhewasallowedtoloafawhile，but，laterhewasagaincalled。Thistimeanewteamofofficerswas，aboard。Slightlymoreconfident，hespedthecaralongthe，commonplacestreetsandfeltsomewhatlessfearful。Ononeside，however，hesufferedintensely。Thedaywasraw，witha，sprinklingofsnowandagustywind，madeallthemore，intolerablebythespeedofthecar。Hisclothingwasnot，intendedforthissortofwork。Heshivered，stampedhisfeet，andbeathisarmsashehadseenothermotormendointhepast，butsaidnothing。Thenoveltyanddangerofthesituation，modifiedinawayhisdisgustanddistressatbeingcompelledto，behere，butnotenoughtopreventhimfromfeelinggrimand，sour。Thiswasadog’slife，hethought。Itwasatoughthing，tohavetocometo。

Theonethoughtthatstrengthenedhimwastheinsultofferedby，Carrie。Hewasnotdownsolowastotakeallthat，hethought。

Hecoulddosomething——this，even——forawhile。Itwouldget，better。Hewouldsavealittle。

Aboythrewaclodofmudwhilehewasthusreflectingandhit，himuponthearm。Ithurtsharplyandangeredhimmorethanhe，hadbeenanytimesincemorning。

“Thelittlecur！”hemuttered。

“Hurtyou？”askedoneofthepolicemen。

“No，“heanswered。

Atoneofthecorners，wherethecarslowedupbecauseofaturn，anex-motorman，standingonthesidewalk，calledtohim：

“Won’tyoucomeout，pardner，andbeaman？Rememberwe’re，fightingfordecentday’swages，that’sall。We’vegotfamilies，tosupport。”Themanseemedmostpeaceablyinclined。

Hurstwoodpretendednottoseehim。Hekepthiseyesstraighton，beforeandopenedtheleverwide。Thevoicehadsomething，appealinginit。

Allmorningthiswentonandlongintotheafternoon。Hemade，threesuchtrips。Thedinnerhehadwasnostayforsuchwork，andthecoldwastellingonhim。Ateachendofthelinehe，stoppedtothawout，buthecouldhavegroanedattheanguishof，it。Oneofthebarnmen，outofpity，loanedhimaheavycapand，apairofsheepskingloves，andforoncehewasextremely，thankful。

Onthesecondtripoftheafternoonheranintoacrowdabout，halfwayalongtheline，thathadblockedthecar’sprogresswith，anoldtelegraphpole。

“Getthatthingoffthetrack，“shoutedthetwopolicemen。

“Yah，yah，yah！”yelledthecrowd。”Getitoffyourself。”

ThetwopolicemengotdownandHurstwoodstartedtofollow。

“Youstaythere，“onecalled。”Someonewillrunawaywithyour，car。”

Amidthebabelofvoices，Hurstwoodheardoneclosebesidehim。

“Comedown，pardner，andbeaman。Don’tfightthepoor。Leave，thattothecorporations。”

Hesawthesamefellowwhohadcalledtohimfromthecorner。

Now，asbefore，hepretendednottohearhim。

“Comedown，“themanrepeatedgently。”Youdon’twanttofight，poormen。Don’tfightatall。”Itwasamostphilosophicand，jesuiticalmotorman。

Athirdpolicemanjoinedtheothertwofromsomewhereandsome，onerantotelephoneformoreofficers。Hurstwoodgazedabout，determinedbutfearful。

Amangrabbedhimbythecoat。

“Comeoffofthat，“heexclaimed，jerkingathimandtryingto，pullhimovertherailing。

“Letgo，“saidHurstwood，savagely。

“I’llshowyou——youscab！”criedayoungIrishman，jumpingupon，thecarandaimingablowatHurstwood。Thelatterduckedand，caughtitontheshoulderinsteadofthejaw。

“Awayfromhere，“shoutedanofficer，hasteningtotherescue，andadding，ofcourse，theusualoaths。

Hurstwoodrecoveredhimself，paleandtrembling。Itwasbecoming，seriouswithhimnow。Peoplewerelookingupandjeeringathim。

Onegirlwasmakingfaces。

Hebegantowaverinhisresolution，whenapatrolwagonrolled，upandmoreofficersdismounted。Nowthetrackwasquickly，clearedandthereleaseeffected。

“Lethergonow，quick，“saidtheofficer，andagainhewasoff。

Theendcamewitharealmob，whichmetthecaronitsreturn，tripamileortwofromthebarns。Itwasanexceedinglypoor-

lookingneighbourhood。Hewantedtorunfastthroughit，but，againthetrackwasblocked。Hesawmencarryingsomethingout，toitwhenhewasyetahalf-dozenblocksaway。

“Theretheyareagain！”exclaimedonepoliceman。

“I’llgivethemsomethingthistime，“saidthesecondofficer，whosepatiencewasbecomingworn。Hurstwoodsufferedaqualmof，bodyasthecarrolledup。Asbefore，thecrowdbeganhooting，butnow，ratherthancomenear，theythrewthings。Oneortwo，windowsweresmashedandHurstwooddodgedastone。

Bothpolicemenranouttowardthecrowd，butthelatterreplied，byrunningtowardthecar。Awoman——ameregirlinappearance——

wasamongthese，bearingaroughstick。Shewasexceedingly，wrathfulandstruckatHurstwood，whododged。Thereupon，her，companions，dulyencouraged，jumpedonthecarandpulled，Hurstwoodover。Hehadhardlytimetospeakorshoutbeforehe，fell。

“Letgoofme，“hesaid，fallingonhisside。

“Ah，yousucker，“heheardsomeonesay。Kicksandblowsrained，onhim。Heseemedtobesuffocating。Thentwomenseemedtobe，dragginghimoffandhewrestledforfreedom。

“Letup，“saidavoice，“you’reallright。Standup。”

Hewasletlooseandrecoveredhimself。Nowherecognisedtwo，officers。Hefeltasifhewouldfaintfromexhaustion。

Somethingwaswetonhischin。Heputuphishandandfelt，then，looked。Itwasred。

“Theycutme，“hesaid，foolishly，fishingforhishandkerchief。

“Now，now，“saidoneoftheofficers。”It’sonlyascratch。”

Hissensesbecameclearednowandhelookedaround。Hewas，standinginalittlestore，wheretheylefthimforthemoment。

Outside，hecouldsee，ashestoodwipinghischin，thecarand，theexcitedcrowd。Apatrolwagonwasthere，andanother。

Hewalkedoverandlookedout。Itwasanambulance，backingin。

Hesawsomeenergeticchargingbythepoliceandarrestsbeing，made。

“Comeon，now，ifyouwanttotakeyourcar，“saidanofficer，openingthedoorandlookingin。

Hewalkedout，feelingratheruncertainofhimself。Hewasvery，coldandfrightened。

“Where’stheconductor？”heasked。

“Oh，he’snotherenow，“saidthepoliceman。

Hurstwoodwenttowardthecarandsteppednervouslyon。Ashe，didsotherewasapistolshot。Somethingstunghisshoulder。

“Whofiredthat？”heheardanofficerexclaim。”ByGod！whodid，that？”Bothlefthim，runningtowardacertainbuilding。He，pausedamomentandthengotdown。

“George！”exclaimedHurstwood，weakly，“thisistoomuchforme。”

Hewalkednervouslytothecornerandhurrieddownasidestreet。

“Whew！”hesaid，drawinginhisbreath。

Ahalfblockaway，asmallgirlgazedathim。

“You’dbettersneak，“shecalled。

Hewalkedhomewardinablindingsnowstorm，reachingtheferryby，dusk。Thecabinswerefilledwithcomfortablesouls，whostudied，himcuriously。Hisheadwasstillinsuchawhirlthathefelt，confused。Allthewonderofthetwinklinglightsoftheriverin，awhitestormpassedfornothing。Hetrudgeddoggedlyonuntil，hereachedtheflat。Thereheenteredandfoundtheroomwarm。

Carriewasgone。Acoupleofeveningpaperswerelyingonthe，tablewheresheleftthem。Helitthegasandsatdown。Thenhe，gotupandstrippedtoexaminehisshoulder。Itwasamere，scratch。Hewashedhishandsandface，stillinabrownstudy，apparently，andcombedhishair。Thenhelookedforsomethingto，eat，andfinally，hishungergone，satdowninhiscomfortable，rocking-chair。Itwasawonderfulrelief。

Heputhishandtohischin，forgetting，forthemoment，the，papers。

“Well，“hesaid，afteratime，hisnaturerecoveringitself，“that’saprettytoughgameoverthere。”

Thenheturnedandsawthepapers。Withhalfasighhepickedup，the“World。”

“StrikeSpreadinginBrooklyn，“heread。”RiotingBreaksOutin，allPartsoftheCity。”

Headjustedhispaperverycomfortablyandcontinued。Itwasthe，onethinghereadwithabsorbinginterest。

ChapterXLII

ATOUCHOFSPRING——THEEMPTYSHELL

ThosewholookuponHurstwood’sBrooklynventureasanerrorof，judgmentwillnonethelessrealisethenegativeinfluenceonhim，ofthefactthathehadtriedandfailed。Carriegotawrong，ideaofit。Hesaidsolittlethatsheimaginedhehad，encounterednothingworsethantheordinaryroughness——quitting，sosooninthefaceofthisseemedtrifling。Hedidnotwantto，work。

Shewasnowoneofagroupoforientalbeautieswho，inthe，secondactofthecomicopera，wereparadedbythevizierbefore，thenewpotentateasthetreasuresofhisharem。Therewasno，wordassignedtoanyofthem，butontheeveningwhenHurstwood，washousinghimselfintheloftofthestreet-carbarn，the，leadingcomedianandstar，feelingexceedinglyfacetious，saidin，aprofoundvoice，whichcreatedarippleoflaughter：

“Well，whoareyou？”

ItmerelyhappenedtobeCarriewhowascourtesyingbeforehim。

Itmightaswellhavebeenanyoftheothers，sofarashewas，concerned。Heexpectednoanswerandadullonewouldhavebeen，reproved。ButCarrie，whoseexperienceandbeliefinherself，gaveherdaring，courtesiedsweetlyagainandanswered：

“Iamyourstruly。”

Itwasatrivialthingtosay，andyetsomethinginthewayshe，diditcaughttheaudience，whichlaughedheartilyatthemock-

fiercepotentatetoweringbeforetheyoungwoman。Thecomedian，alsolikedit，hearingthelaughter。

“IthoughtyournamewasSmith，“hereturned，endeavouringtoget，thelastlaugh。

Carriealmosttrembledforherdaringaftershehadsaidthis。

Allmembersofthecompanyhadbeenwarnedthattointerpolate，linesor“business“meantafineorworse。Shedidnotknowwhat，tothink。

Asshewasstandinginherproperpositioninthewings，awaiting，anotherentry，thegreatcomedianmadehisexitpastherand，pausedinrecognition。

“Youcanjustleavethatinhereafter，“heremarked，seeinghow，intelligentsheappeared。”Don’taddanymore，though。”

“Thankyou，“saidCarrie，humbly。Whenhewentonshefound，herselftremblingviolently。

“Well，you’reinluck，“remarkedanothermemberofthechorus。

“Thereisn’tanotheroneofushasgotaline。”

Therewasnogainsayingthevalueofthis。Everybodyinthe，companyrealisedthatshehadgotastart。Carriehuggedherself，whennexteveningthelinesgotthesameapplause。Shewenthome，rejoicing，knowingthatsoonsomethingmustcomeofit。Itwas，Hurstwoodwho，byhispresence，causedhermerrythoughtstoflee，andreplacedthemwithsharplongingsforanendofdistress。

Thenextdaysheaskedhimabouthisventure。

“They’renottryingtorunanycarsexceptwithpolice。They，don’twantanybodyjustnow——notbeforenextweek。”

Nextweekcame，butCarriesawnochange。Hurstwoodseemedmore，apatheticthanever。Hesawheroffmorningstorehearsalsand，thelikewiththeutmostcalm。Hereadandread。Severaltimes，hefoundhimselfstaringatanitem，butthinkingofsomething，else。Thefirstoftheselapsesthathesharplynoticed，concernedahilariouspartyhehadonceattendedatadriving，club，ofwhichhehadbeenamember。Hesat，gazingdownward，andgraduallythoughtheheardtheoldvoicesandtheclinkof，glasses。

“You’readandy，Hurstwood，“hisfriendWalkersaid。Hewas，standingagainwelldressed，smiling，good-natured，therecipient，ofencoresforagoodstory。

Allatoncehelookedup。Theroomwassostillitseemed，ghostlike。Heheardtheclocktickingaudiblyandhalfsuspected，thathehadbeendozing。Thepaperwassostraightinhishands，however，andtheitemshehadbeenreadingsodirectlybefore，him，thatheridhimselfofthedozeidea。Still，itseemed，peculiar。Whenitoccurredasecondtime，however，itdidnot，seemquitesostrange。

Butcherandgroceryman，bakerandcoalman——notthegroupwith，whomhewasthendealing，butthosewhohadtrustedhimtothe，limit——called。Hemetthemallblandly，becomingdeftinexcuse。

Atlasthebecamebold，pretendedtobeout，orwavedthemoff。

“Theycan’tgetbloodoutofaturnip，“hesaid。”ifIhadit，I’dpaythem。”

Carrie’slittlesoldierfriend，MissOsborne，seeingher，succeeding，hadbecomeasortofsatellite。LittleOsbornecould，neverofherselfamounttoanything。Sheseemedtorealiseitin，asortofpussy-likewayandinstinctivelyconcludedtocling，withhersoftlittleclawstoCarrie。

“Oh，you’llgetup，“shekepttellingCarriewithadmiration。

“You’resogood。”

TimidasCarriewas，shewasstrongincapability。Thereliance，ofothersmadeherfeelasifshemust，andwhenshemustshe，dared。Experienceoftheworldandofnecessitywasinher，favour。Nolongerthelightestwordofamanmadeherhead，dizzy。Shehadlearnedthatmencouldchangeandfail。Flattery，initsmostpalpableformhadlostitsforcewithher。It，requiredsuperiority——kindlysuperiority——tomoveher——the，superiorityofageniuslikeAmes。

“Idon’tliketheactorsinourcompany，“shetoldLolaoneday。

“They’reallsostruckonthemselves。”

“Don’tyouthinkMr。Barclay’sprettynice？”inquiredLola，who，hadreceivedacondescendingsmileortwofromthatquarter。

“Oh，he’sniceenough，“answeredCarrie;“butheisn’tsincere。

Heassumessuchanair。”

LolafeltforherfirstholduponCarrieinthefollowingmanner：

“Areyoupayingroom-rentwhereyouare？”

“Certainly，“answeredCarrie。”Why？”

“IknowwhereIcouldgettheloveliestroomandbath，cheap。

It’stoobigforme，butitwouldbejustrightfortwo，andthe，rentisonlysixdollarsaweekforboth。”

“Where？”saidCarrie。

“InSeventeenthStreet。”

“Well，Idon’tknowasI’dcaretochange，“saidCarrie，whowas，alreadyturningoverthethree-dollarrateinhermind。Shewas，thinkingifshehadonlyherselftosupportthiswouldleaveher，seventeenforherself。

NothingcameofthisuntilaftertheBrooklynadventureof，Hurstwood’sandhersuccesswiththespeakingpart。Thenshe，begantofeelasifshemustbefree。Shethoughtofleaving，Hurstwoodandthusmakinghimactforhimself，buthehad，developedsuchpeculiartraitsshefearedhemightresistany，efforttothrowhimoff。Hemighthuntheroutattheshowand，houndherinthatway。Shedidnotwhollybelievethathewould，buthemight。This，sheknew，wouldbeanembarrassingthingif，hemadehimselfconspicuousinanyway。Ittroubledhergreatly。

Thingswereprecipitatedbytheofferofabetterpart。Oneof，theactressesplayingthepartofamodestsweetheartgavenotice，ofleavingandCarriewasselected。

“Howmuchareyougoingtoget？”askedMissOsborne，onhearing，thegoodnews。

“Ididn’taskhim，“saidCarrie。

“Well，findout。Goodness，you’llnevergetanythingifyou，don’task。Tellthemyoumusthavefortydollars，anyhow。”

“Oh，no，“saidCarrie。

“Certainly！”exclaimedLola。”Ask’em，anyway。”

Carriesuccumbedtothisprompting，waiting，however，untilthe，managergavehernoticeofwhatclothingshemusthavetofitthe，part。

“HowmuchdoIget？”sheinquired。

“Thirty-fivedollars，“hereplied。

Carriewastoomuchastonishedanddelightedtothinkof，mentioningforty。Shewasnearlybesideherself，andalmost，huggedLola，whoclungtoheratthenews。

“Itisn’tasmuchasyououghttoget，“saidthelatter，“especiallywhenyou’vegottobuyclothes。”

Carrierememberedthiswithastart。Wheretogetthemoney？She，hadnonelaidupforsuchanemergency。Rentdaywasdrawing，near。

“I’llnotdoit，“shesaid，rememberinghernecessity。”Idon’t，usetheflat。I’mnotgoingtogiveupmymoneythistime。I’ll，move。”

FittingintothiscameanotherappealfromMissOsborne，more，urgentthanever。

“Comelivewithme，won’tyou？”shepleaded。”Wecanhavethe，loveliestroom。Itwon’tcostyouhardlyanythingthatway。”

“I’dliketo，“saidCarrie，frankly。

“Oh，do，“saidLola。”We’llhavesuchagoodtime。”

Carriethoughtawhile。

“IbelieveIwill，“shesaid，andthenadded：“I’llhavetosee，first，though。”

Withtheideathusgrounded，rentdayapproaching，andclothes，callingforinstantpurchase，shesoonfoundexcusein，Hurstwood’slassitude。Hesaidlessanddroopedmorethanever。

Asrentdayapproached，anideagrewinhim。Itwasfosteredby，thedemandsofcreditorsandtheimpossibilityofholdingupmany，more。Twenty-eightdollarswastoomuchforrent。”It’shardon，her，“hethought。”Wecouldgetacheaperplace。”

Stirredwiththisidea，hespokeatthebreakfasttable。

“Don’tyouthinkwepaytoomuchrenthere？”heasked。

“IndeedIdo，“saidCarrie，notcatchinghisdrift。

“Ishouldthinkwecouldgetasmallerplace，“hesuggested。”We，don’tneedfourrooms。”

Hercountenance，hadhebeenscrutinisingher，wouldhave，exhibitedthedisturbanceshefeltatthisevidenceofhis，determinationtostaybyher。Hesawnothingremarkablein，askinghertocomedownlower。

“Oh，Idon’tknow，“sheanswered，growingwary。

“Theremustbeplacesaroundherewherewecouldgetacoupleof，rooms，whichwoulddojustaswell。”

Herheartrevolted。”Never！”shethought。Whowouldfurnishthe，moneytomove？Tothinkofbeingintworoomswithhim！She，resolvedtospendhermoneyforclothesquickly，beforesomething，terriblehappened。Thatverydayshedidit。Havingdoneso，therewasbutoneotherthingtodo。

“Lola，“shesaid，visitingherfriend，“IthinkI’llcome。”

“Oh，jolly！”criedthelatter。

“Canwegetitrightaway？”sheasked，meaningtheroom。

“Certainly，“criedLola。

Theywenttolookatit。Carriehadsavedtendollarsfromher，expenditures——enoughforthisandherboardbeside。Herenlarged，salarywouldnotbeginfortendaysyet——wouldnotreachherfor，seventeen。Shepaidhalfofthesixdollarswithherfriend。

“Now，I’vejustenoughtogetontotheendoftheweek，“she，confided。

“Oh，I’vegotsome，“saidLola。”I’vegottwenty-fivedollars，ifyouneedit。”

“No，“saidCarrie。”IguessI’llgetalong。”

TheydecidedtomoveFriday，whichwastwodaysaway。Nowthat，thethingwassettled，Carrie’sheartmisgaveher。Shefeltvery，muchlikeacriminalinthematter。Eachdaylookingat，Hurstwood，shehadrealisedthat，alongwiththedisagreeableness，ofhisattitude，therewassomethingpathetic。

Shelookedathimthesameeveningshehadmadeuphermindto，go，andnowheseemednotsoshiftlessandworthless，butrun，downandbeatenuponbychance。Hiseyeswerenotkeen，hisface，marked，hishandsflabby。Shethoughthishairhadatouchof，grey。Allunconsciousofhisdoom，herockedandreadhispaper，whilesheglancedathim。

Knowingthattheendwassonear，shebecamerathersolicitous。

“Willyougooverandgetsomecannedpeaches？”sheasked，Hurstwood，layingdownatwo-dollarbill。

“Certainly，“hesaid，lookinginwonderatthemoney。

“Seeifyoucangetsomeniceasparagus，“sheadded。”I’llcook，itfordinner。”

Hurstwoodroseandtookthemoney，slippingonhisovercoatand，gettinghishat。Carrienoticedthatbothofthesearticlesof，apparelwereoldandpoorlookinginappearance。Itwasplain，enoughbefore，butnowitcamehomewithpeculiarforce。Perhaps，hecouldn’thelpit，afterall。HehaddonewellinChicago。

Sherememberedhisfineappearancethedayshehadmetherinthe，park。Thenhewassosprightly，soclean。Haditbeenallhis，fault？

Hecamebackandlaidthechangedownwiththefood。

“You’dbetterkeepit，“sheobserved。”We’llneedotherthings。”

“No，“hesaid，withasortofpride;“youkeepit。”

“Oh，goonandkeepit，“shereplied，ratherunnerved。”There’ll，beotherthings。”

Hewonderedatthis，notknowingthepatheticfigurehehad，becomeinhereyes。Sherestrainedherselfwithdifficultyfrom，showingaquaverinhervoice。

Tosaytruly，thiswouldhavebeenCarrie’sattitudeinanycase。

ShehadlookedbackattimesuponherpartingfromDrouetandhad，regrettedthatshehadservedhimsobadly。Shehopedshewould，nevermeethimagain，butshewasashamedofherconduct。Not，thatshehadanychoiceinthefinalseparation。Shehadgone，willinglytoseekhim，withsympathyinherheart，whenHurstwood，hadreportedhimill。Therewassomethingcruelsomewhere，and，notbeingabletotrackitmentallytoitslogicallair，she，concludedwithfeelingthathewouldneverunderstandwhat，Hurstwoodhaddoneandwouldseehard-hearteddecisioninher，deed;hencehershame。Notthatshecaredforhim。Shedidnot，wanttomakeanyonewhohadbeengoodtoherfeelbadly。

Shedidnotrealisewhatshewasdoingbyallowingthesefeelings，topossessher。Hurstwood，noticingthekindness，conceived，betterofher。”Carrie’sgood-natured，anyhow，“hethought。

GoingtoMissOsborne’sthatafternoon，shefoundthatlittle，ladypackingandsinging。

“Whydon’tyoucomeoverwithmetoday？”sheasked。

“Oh，Ican’t，“saidCarrie。”I’llbethereFriday。Wouldyou，mindlendingmethetwenty-fivedollarsyouspokeof？”

“Why，no，“saidLola，goingforherpurse。

“Iwanttogetsomeotherthings，“saidCarrie。

“Oh，that’sallright，“answeredthelittlegirl，good-naturedly，gladtobeofservice。

IthadbeendayssinceHurstwoodhaddonemorethangotothe，groceryortothenews-stand。Nowthewearinessofindoorswas，uponhim——hadbeenfortwodays——butchill，greyweatherhadheld，himback。Fridaybrokefairandwarm。Itwasoneofthose，lovelyharbingersofspring，givenasasignindrearywinter，thatearthisnotforsakenofwarmthandbeauty。Theblue，heaven，holdingitsonegoldenorb，poureddownacrystalwashof，warmlight。Itwasplain，fromthevoiceofthesparrows，that，allwashalcyonoutside。Carrieraisedthefrontwindows，and，feltthesouthwindblowing。

“It’slovelyoutto-day，“sheremarked。

“Isit？”saidHurstwood。

Afterbreakfast，heimmediatelygothisotherclothes。

“Willyoubebackforlunch？”askedCarrienervously。

“No，“hesaid。

Hewentoutintothestreetsandtrampednorth，alongSeventh，Avenue，idlyfixingupontheHarlemRiverasanobjectivepoint。

Hehadseensomeshipsupthere，thetimehehadcalleduponthe，brewers。Hewonderedhowtheterritorythereaboutswasgrowing。

PassingFifty-ninthStreet，hetookthewestsideofCentral，Park，whichhefollowedtoSeventy-eighthStreet。Thenhe，rememberedtheneighbourhoodandturnedovertolookatthemass，ofbuildingserected。Itwasverymuchimproved。Thegreatopen，spaceswerefillingup。Comingback，hekepttotheParkuntil，110thStreet，andthenturnedintoSeventhAvenueagain，reaching，theprettyriverbyoneo’clock。

Thereitranwindingbeforehisgaze，shiningbrightlyinthe，clearlight，betweentheundulatingbanksontherightandthe，tall，tree-coveredheightsontheleft。Thespring-like，atmospherewokehimtoasenseofitsloveliness，andforafew，momentshestoodlookingatit，foldinghishandsbehindhis，back。Thenheturnedandfollowedittowardtheeastside，idly，seekingtheshipshehadseen。Itwasfouro’clockbeforethe，waningday，withitssuggestionofacoolerevening，causedhim，toreturn。Hewashungryandwouldenjoyeatinginthewarm，room。

Whenhereachedtheflatbyhalf-pastfive，itwasstilldark。

HeknewthatCarriewasnotthere，notonlybecausetherewasno，lightshowingthroughthetransom，butbecausetheeveningpapers，werestuckbetweentheoutsideknobandthedoor。Heopenedwith，hiskeyandwentin。Everythingwasstilldark。Lightingthe，gas，hesatdown，preparingtowaitalittlewhile。Evenif，Carriedidcomenow，dinnerwouldbelate。Hereaduntilsix，thengotuptofixsomethingforhimself。

Ashedidso，henoticedthattheroomseemedalittlequeer。

Whatwasit？Helookedaround，asifhemissedsomething，and，thensawanenvelopenearwherehehadbeensitting。Itspoke，foritself，almostwithoutfurtheractiononhispart。

Reachingover，hetookit，asortofchillsettlinguponhimeven，whilehereached。Thecrackleoftheenvelopeinhishandswas，loud。Greenpapermoneylaysoftwithinthenote。

“DearGeorge，“heread，crunchingthemoneyinonehand，“I’m，goingaway。I’mnotcomingbackanymore。It’snousetryingto，keepuptheflat;Ican’tdoit。Iwouldn’tmindhelpingyou，if，Icould，butIcan’tsupportusboth，andpaytherent。Ineed，whatlittleImaketopayformyclothes。I’mleavingtwenty，dollars。It’sallIhavejustnow。Youcandowhateveryoulike，withthefurniture。Iwon’twantit——CARRIE。

Hedroppedthenoteandlookedquietlyround。Nowheknewwhat，hemissed。Itwasthelittleornamentalclock，whichwashers。

Ithadgonefromthemantelpiece。Hewentintothefrontroom，hisbedroom，theparlour，lightingthegasashewent。Fromthe，chiffonierhadgonetheknick-knacksofsilverandplate。From，thetable-top，thelacecoverings。Heopenedthewardrobe——no，clothesofhers。Heopenedthedrawers——nothingofhers。Her，trunkwasgonefromitsaccustomedplace。Backinhisownroom，hunghisoldclothes，justashehadleftthem。Nothingelsewas，gone。

Hesteppedintotheparlourandstoodforafewmomentslooking，vacantlyatthefloor。Thesilencegrewoppressive。Thelittle，flatseemedwonderfullydeserted。Hewhollyforgotthathewas，hungry，thatitwasonlydinner-time。Itseemedlaterinthe，night。

Suddenly，hefoundthatthemoneywasstillinhishands。There，weretwentydollarsinall，asshehadsaid。Nowhewalkedback，leavingthelightsablaze，andfeelingasiftheflatwereempty。

“I’llgetoutofthis，“hesaidtohimself。

Thenthesheerlonelinessofhissituationrusheduponhimin，full。

“Leftme！”hemuttered，andrepeated，“leftme！”

Theplacethathadbeensocomfortable，wherehehadspentso，manydaysofwarmth，wasnowamemory。Somethingcolderand，chillierconfrontedhim。Hesankdowninhischair，restinghis，chininhishand——meresensation，withoutthought，holdinghim。

Thensomethinglikeabereavedaffectionandself-pitysweptover，him。

“Sheneedn’thavegoneaway，“hesaid。”I’dhavegotsomething。”

Hesatalongwhilewithoutrocking，andaddedquiteclearly，out，loud：

“Itried，didn’tI？”

Atmidnighthewasstillrocking，staringatthefloor。

ChapterXLIII

THEWORLDTURNSFLATTERER——ANEYEINTHEDARK

Installedinhercomfortableroom，CarriewonderedhowHurstwood，hadtakenherdeparture。Shearrangedafewthingshastilyand，thenleftforthetheatre，halfexpectingtoencounterhimatthe，door。Notfindinghim，herdreadlifted，andshefeltmore，kindlytowardhim。Shequiteforgothimuntilabouttocomeout，aftertheshow，whenthechanceofhisbeingtherefrightened，her。Asdayafterdaypassedandsheheardnothingatall，the，thoughtofbeingbotheredbyhimpassed。Inalittlewhileshe，was，exceptforoccasionalthoughts，whollyfreeofthegloom，withwhichherlifehadbeenweighedintheflat。

Itiscurioustonotehowquicklyaprofessionabsorbsone。

Carriebecamewiseintheatricallore，hearingthegossipof，littleLola。Shelearnedwhatthetheatricalpaperswere，which，onespublisheditemsaboutactressesandthelike。Shebeganto，readthenewspapernotices，notonlyoftheoperainwhichshe，hadsosmallapart，butofothers。Graduallythedesirefor，noticetookholdofher。Shelongedtoberenownedlikeothers，andreadwithavidityallthecomplimentaryorcriticalcomments，madeconcerningothershighinherprofession。Theshowyworld，inwhichherinterestlaycompletelyabsorbedher。

Itwasaboutthistimethatthenewspapersandmagazineswere，beginningtopaythatillustrativeattentiontothebeautiesof，thestagewhichhassincebecomefervid。Thenewspapers，and，particularlytheSundaynewspapers，indulgedinlargedecorative，theatricalpages，inwhichthefacesandformsofwell-known，theatricalcelebritiesappeared，enclosedwithartisticscrolls。

Themagazinesalsooratleastoneortwoofthenewerones——

publishedoccasionalportraitsofprettystars，andnowandagain，photosofscenesfromvariousplays。Carriewatchedthesewith，growinginterest。Whenwouldascenefromheroperaappear？When，wouldsomepaperthinkherphotoworthwhile？

TheSundaybeforetakinghernewpartshescannedthetheatrical，pagesforsomelittlenotice。Itwouldhaveaccordedwithher，expectationsifnothinghadbeensaid，butthereinthesquibs，tailingoffseveralmoresubstantialitems，wasaweenotice。

Carriereaditwithatinglingbody：

“ThepartofKatisha，thecountrymaid，in’TheWivesofAbdul’

attheBroadway，heretoforeplayedbyInezCarew，willbe，hereafterfilledbyCarrieMadenda，oneofthecleverestmembers，ofthechorus。”

Carriehuggedherselfwithdelight。Oh，wasn’titjustfine！At，last！Thefirst，thelong-hopedfor，thedelightfulnotice！And，theycalledherclever。Shecouldhardlyrestrainherselffrom，laughingloudly。HadLolaseenit？

“They’vegotanoticehereofthepartI’mgoingtoplayto-

morrownight，“saidCarrietoherfriend。

“Oh，jolly！Havethey？”criedLola，runningtoher。”That’sall，right，“shesaid，looking。”You’llgetmorenow，ifyoudowell。

Ihadmypictureinthe’World’once。”

“Didyou？”askedCarrie。

“DidI？Well，Ishouldsay，“returnedthelittlegirl。”Theyhad，aframearoundit。”

Carrielaughed。

“They’veneverpublishedmypicture。”

“Buttheywill，“saidLola。”You’llsee。Youdobetterthan，mostthatgettheirsinnow。”

Carriefeltdeeplygratefulforthis。ShealmostlovedLolafor，thesympathyandpraisesheextended。Itwassohelpfultoher——

soalmostnecessary。

Fulfillingherpartcapablybroughtanothernoticeinthepapers，thatshewasdoingherworkacceptably。Thispleasedher，immensely。Shebegantothinktheworldwastakingnoteofher。

Thefirstweekshegotherthirty-fivedollars，itseemedan，enormoussum。Payingonlythreedollarsforroomrentseemed，ridiculous。AftergivingLolahertwenty-five，shestillhad，sevendollarsleft。Withfourleftoverfrompreviousearnings，shehadeleven。Fiveofthiswenttopaytheregularinstallment，ontheclothesshehadtobuy。Thenextweekshewasevenin，greaterfeather。Now，onlythreedollarsneedbepaidforroom，rentandfiveonherclothes。Therestshehadforfoodandher，ownwhims。

“You’dbettersavealittleforsummer，“cautionedLola。”We’ll，probablycloseinMay。”

“Iintendto，“saidCarrie。

Theregularentranceofthirty-fivedollarsaweektoonewhohas，enduredscantallowancesforseveralyearsisademoralising，thing。Carriefoundherpurseburstingwithgoodgreenbillsof，comfortabledenominations。Havingnoonedependentuponher，she，begantobuyprettyclothesandpleasingtrinkets，toeatwell，andtoornamentherroom。Friendswerenotlongingathering，about。ShemetafewyoungmenwhobelongedtoLola’sstaff。

Themembersoftheoperacompanymadeheracquaintancewithout，theformalityofintroduction。Oneofthesediscoveredafancy，forher。Onseveraloccasionshestrolledhomewithher。

“Let’sstopinandhaveararebit，“hesuggestedonemidnight。

“Verywell，“saidCarrie。

Intherosyrestaurant，filledwiththemerryloversoflate，hours，shefoundherselfcriticisingthisman。Hewastoo，stilted，tooself-opinionated。Hedidnottalkofanythingthat，liftedherabovethecommonrunofclothesandmaterialsuccess。

Whenitwasallover，hesmiledmostgraciously。

“Gottogostraighthome，haveyou？”hesaid。

“Yes，“sheanswered，withanairofquietunderstanding。

“She’snotsoinexperiencedasshelooks，“hethought，and，thereafterhisrespectandardourwereincreased。

ShecouldnothelpsharinginLola’sloveforagoodtime。There，weredayswhentheywentcarriageriding，nightswhenafterthe，showtheydined，afternoonswhentheystrolledalongBroadway，tastefullydressed。Shewasgettinginthemetropolitanwhirlof，pleasure。

Atlastherpictureappearedinoneoftheweeklies。Shehadnot，knownofit，andittookherbreath。”MissCarrieMadenda，“it，waslabelled。”Oneofthefavouritesof’TheWivesofAbdul’

company。”AtLola’sadviceshehadhadsomepicturestakenby，Sarony。Theyhadgotonethere。Shethoughtofgoingdownand，buyingafewcopiesofthepaper，butrememberedthattherewas，noonesheknewwellenoughtosendthemto。OnlyLola，apparently，inalltheworldwasinterested。

Themetropolisisacoldplacesocially，andCarriesoonfound，thatalittlemoneybroughthernothing。Theworldofwealthand，distinctionwasquiteasfarawayasever。Shecouldfeelthat，therewasnowarm，sympatheticfriendshipbackoftheeasy，merrimentwithwhichmanyapproachedher。Allseemedtobe，seekingtheirownamusement，regardlessofthepossiblesad，consequencetoothers。SomuchforthelessonsofHurstwoodand，Drouet。

InAprilshelearnedthattheoperawouldprobablylastuntilthe，middleortheendofMay，accordingtothesizeoftheaudiences。

Nextseasonitwouldgoontheroad。Shewonderedifshewould，bewithit。Asusual，MissOsborne，owingtohermoderate，salary，wasforsecuringahomeengagement。

“They’reputtingonasummerplayattheCasino，“sheannounced，afterfigurativelyputtinghereartotheground。”Let’stryand，getinthat。”

“I’mwilling，“saidCarrie。

Theytriedintimeandwereapprisedoftheproperdatetoapply，again。ThatwasMay16th。MeanwhiletheirownshowclosedMay，5th。

“Thosethatwanttogowiththeshownextseason，“saidthe，manager，“willhavetosignthisweek。”

“Don’tyousign，“advisedLola。”Iwouldn’tgo。”

“Iknow，“saidCarrie，“butmaybeIcan’tgetanythingelse。”

“Well，Iwon’t，“saidthelittlegirl，whohadaresourceinher，admirers。”IwentonceandIdidn’thaveanythingattheendof，theseason。”

Carriethoughtthisover。Shehadneverbeenontheroad。

“Wecangetalong，“addedLola。”Ialwayshave。”

Carriedidnotsign。

ThemanagerwhowasputtingonthesummerskitattheCasinohad，neverheardofCarrie，buttheseveralnoticesshehadreceived，herpublishedpicture，andtheprogrammebearinghernamehad，somelittleweightwithhim。Hegaveherasilentpartatthirty，dollarsaweek。

“Didn’tItellyou？”saidLola。”Itdoesn’tdoyouanygoodto，goawayfromNewYork。Theyforgetallaboutyouifyoudo。”

Now，becauseCarriewaspretty，thegentlemenwhomadeupthe，advanceillustrationsofshowsabouttoappearfortheSunday，papersselectedCarrie’sphotoalongwithotherstoillustrate，theannouncement。Becauseshewasverypretty，theygaveit，excellentspaceanddrewscrollsaboutit。Carriewasdelighted。

Still，themanagementdidnotseemtohaveseenanythingofit。

Atleast，nomoreattentionwaspaidtoherthanbefore。Atthe，sametimethereseemedverylittleinherpart。Itconsistedof，standingaroundinallsortsofscenes，asilentlittle，Quakeress。Theauthoroftheskithadfanciedthatagreatdeal，couldbemadeofsuchapart，giventotherightactress，but，now，sinceithadbeendoledouttoCarrie，hewouldasleave，havehaditcutout。

“Don’tkick，oldman，“remarkedthemanager。”Ifitdon’tgothe，firstweekwewillcutitout。”

Carriehadnowarningofthishalcyonintention。Shepractised，herpartruefully，feelingthatshewaseffectuallyshelved。At，thedressrehearsalshewasdisconsolate。

“Thatisn’tsobad，“saidtheauthor，themanagernotingthe，curiouseffectwhichCarrie’sblueshaduponthepart。”Tellher，tofrownalittlemorewhenSparksdances。”

Carriedidnotknowit，buttherewastheleastshowofwrinkles，betweenhereyesandhermouthwaspuckeredquaintly。

“Frownalittlemore，MissMadenda，“saidthestagemanager。

Carrieinstantlybrightenedup，thinkinghehadmeantitasa，rebuke。

“No;frown，“hesaid。”Frownasyoudidbefore。”

Carrielookedathiminastonishment。

“Imeanit，“hesaid。”FrownhardwhenMr。Sparksdances。I

wanttoseehowitlooks。”

Itwaseasyenoughtodo。Carriescowled。Theeffectwas，somethingsoquaintanddrollitcaughteventhemanager。

“Thatisgood，“hesaid。”Ifshe’lldothatallthrough，Ithink，itwilltake。”

GoingovertoCarrie，hesaid：

“Supposeyoutryfrowningallthrough。Doithard。Lookmad。

It’llmakethepartreallyfunny。”

OntheopeningnightitlookedtoCarrieasiftherewerenothing，toherpart，afterall。Thehappy，swelteringaudiencedidnot，seemtoseeherinthefirstact。Shefrownedandfrowned，but，tonoeffect。Eyeswereriveteduponthemoreelaborateefforts，ofthestars。

Inthesecondact，thecrowd，weariedbyadullconversation，rovedwithitseyesaboutthestageandsightedher。Thereshe，was，grey-suited，sweet-faced，demure，butscowling。Atfirst，thegeneralideawasthatshewastemporarilyirritated，thatthe，lookwasgenuineandnotfunatall。Asshewentonfrowning，lookingnowatoneprincipalandnowattheother，theaudience，begantosmile。Theportlygentlemeninthefrontrowsbeganto，feelthatshewasadeliciouslittlemorsel。Itwasthekindof，frowntheywouldhavelovedtoforceawaywithkisses。Allthe，gentlemenyearnedtowardher。Shewascapital。

Atlast，thechiefcomedian，singinginthecentreofthestage，noticedagigglewhereitwasnotexpected。Thenanotherand，another。Whentheplacecameforloudapplauseitwasonly，moderate。Whatcouldbethetrouble？Herealisedthatsomething，wasup。

Allatonce，afteranexit，hecaughtsightofCarrie。Shewas，frowningaloneonthestageandtheaudiencewasgigglingand，laughing。

“ByGeorge，Iwon’tstandthat！”thoughtthethespian。”I’mnot，goingtohavemyworkcutupbysomeoneelse。Eithershequits，thatwhenIdomyturnorIquit。”

“Why，that’sallright，“saidthemanager，whenthekickcame。

“That’swhatshe’ssupposedtodo。Youneedn’tpayanyattention，tothat。”

“Butsheruinsmywork。”

“No，shedon’t，“returnedtheformer，soothingly。”It’sonlya，littlefunontheside。”

“Itis，eh？”exclaimedthebigcomedian。”Shekilledmyhandall，right。I’mnotgoingtostandthat。”

“Well，waituntilaftertheshow。Waituntilto-morrow。We’ll，seewhatwecando。”

Thenextact，however，settledwhatwastobedone。Carriewas，thechieffeatureoftheplay。Theaudience，themoreitstudied，her，themoreitindicateditsdelight。Everyotherfeature，paledbesidethequaint，teasing，delightfulatmospherewhich，Carriecontributedwhileonthestage。Managerandcompany，realisedshehadmadeahit。

Thecriticsofthedailypaperscompletedhertriumph。There，werelongnoticesinpraiseofthequalityoftheburlesque，touchedwithrecurrentreferencestoCarrie。Thecontagious，mirthofthethingwasrepeatedlyemphasised。

“MissMadendapresentsoneofthemostdelightfulbitsof，characterworkeverseenontheCasinostage，“observedthestage，criticofthe“Sun。”，“Itisabitofquiet，unassumingdrollery，whichwarmslikegoodwine。Evidentlythepartwasnotintended，totakeprecedence，asMissMadendaisnotoftenonthestage，buttheaudience，withthecharacteristicperversityofsuch，bodies，selectedforitself。ThelittleQuakeresswasmarkedfor，afavouritethemomentsheappeared，andthereaftereasilyheld，attentionandapplause。Thevagariesoffortuneareindeed，curious。”

Thecriticofthe“EveningWorld，“seekingasusualtoestablish，acatchphrasewhichshould“go“withthetown，woundupby，advising：“Ifyouwishtobemerry，seeCarriefrown。”

TheresultwasmiraculoussofarasCarrie’sfortunewas，concerned。Evenduringthemorningshereceivedacongratulatory，messagefromthemanager。

“Youseemtohavetakenthetownbystorm，“hewrote。”Thisis，delightful。Iamasgladforyoursakeasformyown。”

Theauthoralsosentword。

Thateveningwhensheenteredthetheatrethemanagerhadamost，pleasantgreetingforher。

“Mr。Stevens，“hesaid，referringtotheauthor，“ispreparinga，littlesong，whichhewouldlikeyoutosingnextweek。”

“Oh，Ican’tsing，“returnedCarrie。

“Itisn’tanythingdifficult。’It’ssomethingthatisvery，simple，’hesays，’andwouldsuityouexactly。’“

“Ofcourse，Iwouldn’tmindtrying，“saidCarrie，archly。

“Wouldyoumindcomingtothebox-officeafewmomentsbeforeyou，dress？”observedthemanager，inaddition。”There’salittle，matterIwanttospeaktoyouabout。”

“Certainly，“repliedCarrie。

Inthatlatterplacethemanagerproducedapaper。

“Now，ofcourse，“hesaid，“wewanttobefairwithyouinthe，matterofsalary。Yourcontracthereonlycallsforthirty，dollarsaweekforthenextthreemonths。Howwoulditdoto，makeit，say，onehundredandfiftyaweekandextenditfor，twelvemonths？”

“Oh，verywell，“saidCarrie，scarcelybelievingherears。

“Supposing，then，youjustsignthis。”