“What’stheuse？”hethought，lookingoutupontheslopandsnow。
　　“Icouldn’tbuyintoit。It’sathousandtoonenothingcomesof，it。IguessI’llgetoff，“andoffhegot。Inthelobbyhetook，aseatandwaitedagain，wonderingwhathecoulddo。
　　Whilehewasidlypondering，satisfiedtobeinside，awell-
　　dressedmanpassedupthelobby，stopped，lookedsharply，asif，notsureofhismemory，andthenapproached。Hurstwood，recognisedCargill，theownerofthelargestablesinChicagoof，thesamename，whomhehadlastseenatAveryHall，thenight，Carrieappearedthere。Theremembranceofhowthisindividual，broughtuphiswifetoshakehandsonthatoccasionwasalsoon，theinstantclear。
　　Hurstwoodwasgreatlyabashed。Hiseyesexpressedthedifficulty，hefelt。
　　“Why，it’sHurstwood！”saidCargill，rememberingnow，andsorry，thathehadnotrecognisedhimquicklyenoughinthebeginningto，haveavoidedthismeeting。
　　“Yes，“saidHurstwood。”Howareyou？”
　　“Verywell，“saidCargill，troubledforsomethingtotalkabout。
　　“Stoppinghere？”
　　“No，“saidHurstwood，“justkeepinganappointment。”
　　“IknewyouhadleftChicago。Iwaswonderingwhathadbecomeof，you。”
　　“Oh，I’mherenow，“answeredHurstwood，anxioustogetaway。
　　“Doingwell，Isuppose？”
　　“Excellent。”
　　“Gladtohearit。”
　　Theylookedatoneanother，ratherembarrassed。
　　“Well，Ihaveanengagementwithafriendupstairs。I’llleave，you。Solong。”
　　Hurstwoodnoddedhishead。
　　“Damnitall，“hemurmured，turningtowardthedoor。”Iknew，thatwouldhappen。”
　　Hewalkedseveralblocksupthestreet。Hiswatchonly，registered1。30。Hetriedtothinkofsomeplacetogoor，somethingtodo。Thedaywassobadhewantedonlytobeinside。
　　Finallyhisfeetbegantofeelwetandcold，andheboardeda，car。ThistookhimtoFifty-ninthStreet，whichwasasgoodas，anywhereelse。Landedhere，heturnedtowalkbackalongSeventh，Avenue，buttheslushwastoomuch。Themiseryofloungingabout，withnowheretogobecameintolerable。Hefeltasifhewere，catchingcold。
　　Stoppingatacorner，hewaitedforacarsouthbound。Thiswas，nodaytobeout;hewouldgohome。
　　Carriewassurprisedtoseehimataquarterofthree。
　　“It’samiserabledayout，“wasallhesaid。Thenhetookoff，hiscoatandchangedhisshoes。
　　Thatnighthefeltacoldcomingonandtookquinine。Hewas，feverishuntilmorning，andsataboutthenextdaywhileCarrie，waitedonhim。Hewasahelplesscreatureinsickness，notvery，handsomeinadull-colouredbathgownandhishairuncombed。He，lookedhaggardabouttheeyesandquiteold。Carrienoticed，this，anditdidnotappealtoher。Shewantedtobegood-
　　naturedandsympathetic，butsomethingaboutthemanheldher，aloof。
　　Towardeveninghelookedsobadlyintheweaklightthatshe，suggestedhegotobed。
　　“You’dbettersleepalone，“shesaid，“you’llfeelbetter。I’ll，openyourbedforyounow。”
　　“Allright，“hesaid。
　　Asshedidallthesethings，shewasinamostdespondentstate。
　　“Whatalife！Whatalife！”washeronethought。
　　Onceduringtheday，whenhesatneartheradiator，hunchedup，andreading，shepassedthrough，andseeinghim，wrinkledher，brows。Inthefrontroom，whereitwasnotsowarm，shesatby，thewindowandcried。Thiswasthelifecutoutforher，wasit？
　　Tolivecoopedupinasmallflatwithsomeonewhowasoutof，work，idle，andindifferenttoher。Shewasmerelyaservantto，himnow，nothingmore。
　　Thiscryingmadehereyesred，andwhen，inpreparinghisbed，shelightedthegas，and，havingpreparedit，calledhimin，he，noticedthefact。
　　“What’sthematterwithyou？”heasked，lookingintoherface。
　　Hisvoicewashoarseandhisunkemptheadonlyaddedtoits，grewsomequality。
　　“Nothing，“saidCarrie，weakly。
　　“You’vebeencrying，“hesaid。
　　“Ihaven’t，either，“sheanswered。
　　Itwasnotforloveofhim，thatheknew。
　　“Youneedn’tcry，“hesaid，gettingintobed。”Thingswillcome，outallright。”
　　Inadayortwohewasupagain，butroughweatherholding，he，stayedin。TheItaliannewsdealernowdeliveredthemorning，papers，andthesehereadassiduously。Afewtimesafterthathe，venturedout，butmeetinganotherofhisold-timefriends，he，begantofeeluneasysittingabouthotelcorridors。
　　Everydayhecamehomeearly，andatlastmadenopretenceof，goinganywhere。Winterwasnotimetolookforanything。
　　Naturally，beingaboutthehouse，henoticedthewayCarriedid，things。Shewasfarfromperfectinhouseholdmethodsand，economy，andherlittledeviationsonthisscorefirstcaughthis，eye。Not，however，beforeherregulardemandforherallowance，becameagrievousthing。Sittingaroundashedid，theweeks，seemedtopassveryquickly。EveryTuesdayCarrieaskedforher，money。
　　“Doyouthinkweliveascheaplyaswemight？”heaskedone，Tuesdaymorning。
　　“IdothebestIcan，“saidCarrie。
　　Nothingwasaddedtothisatthemoment，butthenextdayhe，said：
　　“DoyouevergototheGansevoortMarketoverhere？”
　　“Ididn’tknowtherewassuchamarket，“saidCarrie。
　　“Theysayyoucangetthingslotscheaperthere。”
　　Carriewasveryindifferenttothesuggestion。Thesewerethings，whichshedidnotlikeatall。
　　“Howmuchdoyoupayforapoundofmeat？”heaskedoneday。
　　“Oh，therearedifferentprices，“saidCarrie。”Sirloinsteakis，twenty-twocents。”
　　“That’ssteep，isn’tit？”heanswered。
　　Soheaskedaboutotherthings，untilfinally，withthepassing，days，itseemedtobecomeamaniawithhim。Helearnedthe，pricesandrememberedthem。
　　Hiserrand-runningcapacityalsoimproved。Itbeganinasmall，way，ofcourse。Carrie，goingtogetherhatonemorning，was，stoppedbyhim。
　　“Whereareyougoing，Carrie？”heasked。
　　“Overtothebaker’s，“sheanswered。
　　“I’djustasleavegoforyou，“hesaid。
　　Sheacquiesced，andhewent。Eachafternoonhewouldgotothe，cornerforthepapers。
　　“Isthereanythingyouwant？”hewouldsay。
　　Bydegreesshebegantousehim。Doingthis，however，shelost，theweeklypaymentoftwelvedollars。
　　“Youwanttopaymeto-day，“shesaidoneTuesday，aboutthis，time。
　　“Howmuch？”heasked。
　　Sheunderstoodwellenoughwhatitmeant。
　　“Well，aboutfivedollars，“sheanswered。”Iowethecoalman。”
　　Thesamedayhesaid：
　　“IthinkthisItalianuphereonthecornersellscoalattwenty-
　　fivecentsabushel。I’lltradewithhim。”
　　Carrieheardthiswithindifference。
　　“Allright，“shesaid。
　　Thenitcametobe：
　　“George，Imusthavesomecoalto-day，“or，“Youmustgetsome，meatofsomekindfordinner。”
　　Hewouldfindoutwhatsheneededandorder。
　　Accompanyingthisplancameskimpiness。
　　“Ionlygotahalf-poundofsteak，“hesaid，cominginone，afternoonwithhispapers。”Weneverseemtoeatverymuch。”
　　ThesemiserabledetailsatetheheartoutofCarrie。They，blackenedherdaysandgrievedhersoul。Oh，howthismanhad，changed！，Alldayandallday，herehesat，readinghispapers。
　　Theworldseemedtohavenoattraction。Onceinawhilehewould，goout，infineweather，itmightbefourorfivehours，between，elevenandfour。Shecoulddonothingbutviewhimwithgnawing，contempt。
　　ItwasapathywithHurstwood，resultingfromhisinabilitytosee，hiswayout。Eachmonthdrewfromhissmallstore。Now，hehad，onlyfivehundreddollarsleft，andthishehugged，halffeeling，asifhecouldstaveoffabsolutenecessityforanindefinite，period。Sittingaroundthehouse，hedecidedtowearsomeold，clotheshehad。Thiscamefirstwiththebaddays。Onlyoncehe，apologisedintheverybeginning：
　　“It’ssobadto-day，I’lljustwearthesearound。”
　　Eventuallythesebecamethepermanentthing。
　　Also，hehadbeenwonttopayfifteencentsforashave，anda，tipoftencents。Inhisfirstdistress，hecutdownthetipto，five，thentonothing。Later，hetriedaten-centbarbershop，and，findingthattheshavewassatisfactory，patronised，regularly。Laterstill，heputoffshavingtoeveryotherday，thentoeverythird，andsoon，untilonceaweekbecamethe，rule。OnSaturdayhewasasighttosee。
　　Ofcourse，ashisownself-respectvanished，itperishedforhim，inCarrie。Shecouldnotunderstandwhathadgottenintothe，man。Hehadsomemoney，hehadadecentsuitremaining，hewas，notbadlookingwhendressedup。Shedidnotforgetherown，difficultstruggleinChicago，butshedidnotforgeteitherthat，shehadneverceasedtrying。Henevertried。Hedidnoteven，consulttheadsinthepapersanymore。
　　Finally，adistinctimpressionescapedfromher。
　　“Whatmakesyouputsomuchbutteronthesteak？”heaskedher，oneevening，standingaroundinthekitchen。
　　“Tomakeitgood，ofcourse，“sheanswered。
　　“Butterisawfuldearthesedays，“hesuggested。
　　“Youwouldn’tminditifyouwereworking，“sheanswered。
　　Heshutupafterthis，andwentintohispaper，buttheretort，rankledinhismind。Itwasthefirstcuttingremarkthathad，comefromher。
　　Thatsameevening，Carrie，afterreading，wentofftothefront，roomtobed。Thiswasunusual。WhenHurstwooddecidedtogo，he，retired，asusual，withoutalight。Itwasthenthathe，discoveredCarrie’sabsence。
　　“That’sfunny，“hesaid;“maybeshe’ssittingup。”
　　Hegavethematternomorethought，butslept。Inthemorning，shewasnotbesidehim。Strangetosay，thispassedwithout，comment。
　　Nightapproaching，andaslightlymoreconversationalfeeling，prevailing，Carriesaid：
　　“IthinkI’llsleepaloneto-night。Ihaveaheadache。”
　　“Allright，“saidHurstwood。
　　Thethirdnightshewenttoherfrontbedwithoutapologies。
　　ThiswasagrimblowtoHurstwood，buthenevermentionedit。
　　“Allright，“hesaidtohimself，withanirrepressiblefrown，“lethersleepalone。”
　　ChapterXXXVI
　　AGRIMRETROGRESSION——THEPHANTOMOFCHANCE
　　TheVances，whohadbeenbackinthecityeversinceChristmas，hadnotforgottenCarrie;butthey，orratherMrs。Vance，had，nevercalledonher，fortheverysimplereasonthatCarriehad，neversentheraddress。Truetohernature，shecorresponded，withMrs。VanceaslongasshestilllivedinSeventy-eighth，Street，butwhenshewascompelledtomoveintoThirteenth，her，fearthatthelatterwouldtakeitasanindicationofreduced，circumstancescausedhertostudysomewayofavoidingthe，necessityofgivingheraddress。Notfindinganyconvenient，method，shesorrowfullyresignedtheprivilegeofwritingtoher，friendentirely。Thelatterwonderedatthisstrangesilence，thoughtCarriemusthaveleftthecity，andintheendgaveher，upaslost。Soshewasthoroughlysurprisedtoencounterherin，FourteenthStreet，whereshehadgoneshopping。Carriewasthere，forthesamepurpose。
　　“Why，Mrs。Wheeler，“saidMrs。Vance，lookingCarrieoverina，glance，“wherehaveyoubeen？Whyhaven’tyoubeentoseeme？
　　I’vebeenwonderingallthistimewhathadbecomeofyou。
　　Really，I——“
　　“I’msogladtoseeyou，“saidCarrie，pleasedandyet，nonplussed。Ofalltimes，thiswastheworsttoencounterMrs。
　　Vance。”Why，I’mlivingdowntownhere。I’vebeenintendingto，comeandseeyou。Whereareyoulivingnow？”
　　“InFifty-eighthStreet，“saidMrs。Vance，“justoffSeventh，Avenue——218。Whydon’tyoucomeandseeme？”
　　“Iwill，“saidCarrie。”Really，I’vebeenwantingtocome。I
　　knowIoughtto。It’sashame。Butyouknow——“
　　“What’syournumber？”saidMrs。Vance。
　　“ThirteenthStreet，“saidCarrie，reluctantly。”112West。”
　　“Oh，“saidMrs。Vance，“that’srightnearhere，isn’tit？”
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie。”Youmustcomedownandseemesometime。”
　　“Well，you’reafineone，“saidMrs。Vance，laughing，thewhile，notingthatCarrie’sappearancehadmodifiedsomewhat。”The，address，too，“sheaddedtoherself。”Theymustbehardup。”
　　StillshelikedCarriewellenoughtotakeherintow。
　　“Comewithmeinhereaminute，“sheexclaimed，turningintoa，store。
　　WhenCarriereturnedhome，therewasHurstwood，readingasusual。
　　Heseemedtotakehisconditionwiththeutmostnonchalance。His，beardwasatleastfourdaysold。
　　“Oh，“thoughtCarrie，“ifsheweretocomehereandseehim？”
　　Sheshookherheadinabsolutemisery。Itlookedasifher，situationwasbecomingunbearable。
　　Driventodesperation，sheaskedatdinner：
　　“Didyoueverhearanymorefromthatwholesalehouse？”
　　“No，“hesaid。”Theydon’twantaninexperiencedman。”
　　Carriedroppedthesubject，feelingunabletosaymore。
　　“ImetMrs。Vancethisafternoon，“shesaid，afteratime。
　　“Did，eh？”heanswered。
　　“They’rebackinNewYorknow，“Carriewenton。”Shedidlookso，nice。”
　　“Well，shecanafforditaslongasheputsupforit，“returned，Hurstwood。”He’sgotasoftjob。”
　　Hurstwoodwaslookingintothepaper。Hecouldnotseethelook，ofinfinitewearinessanddiscontentCarriegavehim。
　　“Shesaidshethoughtshe’dcallheresomeday。”
　　“She’sbeenlonggettingroundtoit，hasn’tshe？”said，Hurstwood，withakindofsarcasm。
　　Thewomandidn’tappealtohimfromherspendingside。
　　“Oh，Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，angeredbytheman’sattitude。
　　“PerhapsIdidn’twanthertocome。”
　　“She’stoogay，“saidHurstwood，significantly。”Noonecankeep，upwithherpaceunlessthey’vegotalotofmoney。”
　　“Mr。Vancedoesn’tseemtofinditveryhard。”
　　“Hemaynotnow，“answeredHurstwood，doggedly，well，understandingtheinference;“buthislifeisn’tdoneyet。You，can’ttellwhat’llhappen。Hemaygetdownlikeanybodyelse。”
　　Therewassomethingquiteknavishintheman’sattitude。Hiseye，seemedtobecockedwithatwinkleuponthefortunate，expecting，theirdefeat。Hisownstateseemedathingapart——not，considered。
　　Thisthingwastheremainsofhisold-timecocksurenessand，independence。Sittinginhisflat，andreadingofthedoingsof，otherpeople，sometimesthisindependent，undefeatedmoodcame，uponhim。Forgettingthewearinessofthestreetsandthe，degradationofsearch，hewouldsometimesprickuphisears。It，wasasifhesaid：
　　“Icandosomething。I’mnotdownyet。There’salotofthings，comingtomeifIwanttogoafterthem。”
　　Itwasinthismoodthathewouldoccasionallydressup，gofora，shave，and，puttingonhisgloves，sallyforthquiteactively。
　　Notwithanydefiniteaim。Itwasmoreabarometriccondition。
　　Hefeltjustrightforbeingoutsideanddoingsomething。
　　Onsuchoccasions，hismoneywentalso。Heknewofseveralpoker，roomsdowntown。Afewacquaintanceshehadindowntownresorts，andabouttheCityHall。Itwasachangetoseethemand，exchangeafewfriendlycommonplaces。
　　Hehadoncebeenaccustomedtoholdaprettyfairhandatpoker。
　　Manyafriendlygamehadnettedhimahundreddollarsormoreat，thetimewhenthatsumwasmerelysaucetothedishofthegame——
　　nottheallinall。Now，hethoughtofplaying。
　　“Imightwinacoupleofhundred。I’mnotoutofpractice。”
　　Itisbutfairtosaythatthisthoughthadoccurredtohim，severaltimesbeforeheacteduponit。
　　ThepokerroomwhichhefirstinvadedwasoverasalooninWest，Street，nearoneoftheferries。Hehadbeentherebefore。
　　Severalgamesweregoing。Thesehewatchedforatimeand，noticedthatthepotswerequitelargefortheanteinvolved。
　　“Dealmeahand，“hesaidatthebeginningofanewshuffle。He，pulledupachairandstudiedhiscards。Thoseplayingmadethat，quietstudyofhimwhichissounapparent，andyetinvariablyso，searching。
　　Poorfortunewaswithhimatfirst。Hereceivedamixed，collectionwithoutprogressionorpairs。Thepotwasopened。
　　“Ipass，“hesaid。
　　Onthestrengthofthis，hewascontenttolosehisante。The，dealsdidfairlybyhiminthelongrun，causinghimtocomeaway，withafewdollarstothegood。
　　Thenextafternoonhewasbackagain，seekingamusementand，profit。Thistimehefollowedupthreeofakindtohisdoom。
　　Therewasabetterhandacrossthetable，heldbyapugnacious，Irishyouth，whowasapoliticalhanger-onoftheTammany，districtinwhichtheywerelocated。Hurstwoodwassurprisedat，thepersistenceofthisindividual，whosebetscamewithasang-
　　froidwhich，ifabluff，wasexcellentart。Hurstwoodbeganto，doubt，butkept，orthoughttokeep，atleast，thecooldemeanour，withwhich，inoldentimes，hedeceivedthosepsychicstudentsof，thegamingtable，whoseemtoreadthoughtsandmoods，rather，thanexteriorevidences，howeversubtle。Hecouldnotdownthe，cowardlythoughtthatthismanhadsomethingbetterandwould，staytotheend，drawinghislastdollarintothepot，shouldhe，choosetogosofar。Still，hehopedtowinmuch——hishandwas，excellent。Whynotraiseitfivemore？
　　“Iraiseyouthree，“saidtheyouth。
　　“Makeitfive，“saidHurstwood，pushingouthischips。
　　“Comeagain，“saidtheyouth，pushingoutasmallpileofreds。
　　“Letmehavesomemorechips，“saidHurstwoodtothekeeperin，charge，takingoutabill。
　　Acynicalgrinlitupthefaceofhisyouthfulopponent。When，thechipswerelaidout，Hurstwoodmettheraise。
　　“Fiveagain，“saidtheyouth。
　　Hurstwood’sbrowwaswet。Hewasdeepinnow——verydeepforhim。
　　Sixtydollarsofhisgoodmoneywasup。Hewasordinarilyno，coward，butthethoughtoflosingsomuchweakenedhim。Finally，hegaveway。Hewouldnottrusttothisfinehandanylonger。
　　“Icall，“hesaid。
　　“Afullhouse！”saidtheyouth，spreadingouthiscards。
　　Hurstwood’shanddropped。
　　“IthoughtIhadyou，“hesaid，weakly。
　　Theyouthrakedinhischips，andHurstwoodcameaway，not，withoutfirststoppingtocounthisremainingcashonthestair。
　　“Threehundredandfortydollars，“hesaid。
　　Withthislossandordinaryexpenses，somuchhadalreadygone。
　　Backintheflat，hedecidedhewouldplaynomore。
　　RememberingMrs。Vance’spromisetocall，Carriemadeoneother，mildprotest。ItwasconcerningHurstwood’sappearance。This，veryday，cominghome，hechangedhisclothestotheoldtogshe，sataroundin。
　　“Whatmakesyoualwaysputonthoseoldclothes？”askedCarrie。
　　“What’stheusewearingmygoodonesaroundhere？”heasked。
　　“Well，Ishouldthinkyou’dfeelbetter。”Thensheadded：“Some，onemightcall。”
　　“Who？”hesaid。
　　“Well，Mrs。Vance，“saidCarrie。
　　“Sheneedn’tseeme，“heanswered，sullenly。
　　ThislackofprideandinterestmadeCarriealmosthatehim。
　　“Oh，“shethought，“therehesits。’Sheneedn’tseeme。’I
　　shouldthinkhewouldbeashamedofhimself。”
　　TherealbitternessofthisthingwasaddedwhenMrs。Vancedid，call。Itwasononeofhershoppingrounds。Makingherwayup，thecommonplacehall，sheknockedatCarrie’sdoor。Toher，subsequentandagonisingdistress，Carriewasout。Hurstwood，openedthedoor，half-thinkingthattheknockwasCarrie’s。For，once，hewastakenhonestlyaback。Thelostvoiceofyouthand，pridespokeinhim。
　　“Why，“hesaid，actuallystammering，“howdoyoudo？”
　　“Howdoyoudo？”saidMrs。Vance，whocouldscarcelybelieveher，eyes。Hisgreatconfusionsheinstantlyperceived。Hedidnot，knowwhethertoinviteherinornot。
　　“Isyourwifeathome？”sheinquired。
　　“No，“hesaid，“Carrie’sout;butwon’tyoustepin？She’llbe，backshortly。”
　　“No-o，“saidMrs。Vance，realisingthechangeofitall。”I’m，reallyverymuchinahurry。IthoughtI’djustrunupandlook，in，butIcouldn’tstay。Justtellyourwifeshemustcomeand，seeme。”
　　“Iwill，“saidHurstwood，standingback，andfeelingintense，reliefathergoing。Hewassoashamedthathefoldedhishands，weakly，ashesatinthechairafterwards，andthought。
　　Carrie，cominginfromanotherdirection，thoughtshesawMrs。
　　Vancegoingaway。Shestrainedhereyes，butcouldnotmake，sure。
　　“Wasanybodyherejustnow？”sheaskedofHurstwood。
　　“Yes，“hesaidguiltily;“Mrs。Vance。”
　　“Didsheseeyou？”sheasked，expressingherfulldespair。
　　ThiscutHurstwoodlikeawhip，andmadehimsullen。
　　“Ifshehadeyes，shedid。Iopenedthedoor。”
　　“Oh，“saidCarrie，closingonehandtightlyoutofsheer，nervousness。”Whatdidshehavetosay？”
　　“Nothing，“heanswered。”Shecouldn’tstay。”
　　“Andyoulookinglikethat！”saidCarrie，throwingasidealong，reserve。
　　“Whatofit？”hesaid，angering。”Ididn’tknowshewascoming，didI？”
　　“Youknewshemight，“saidCarrie。”Itoldyoushesaidshewas，coming。I’veaskedyouadozentimestowearyourotherclothes。
　　Oh，Ithinkthisisjustterrible。”
　　“Oh，letup，“heanswered。”Whatdifferencedoesitmake？You，couldn’tassociatewithher，anyway。They’vegottoomuchmoney。
　　“WhosaidIwantedto？”saidCarrie，fiercely。
　　“Well，youactlikeit，rowingaroundovermylooks。You’dthink，I’dcommitted——“
　　Carrieinterrupted：
　　“It’strue，“shesaid。”Icouldn’tifIwantedto，butwhose，faultisit？You’reveryfreetositandtalkaboutwhoIcould，associatewith。Whydon’tyougetoutandlookforwork？”
　　Thiswasathunderboltincamp。
　　“What’sittoyou？”hesaid，rising，almostfiercely。”Ipaythe，rent，don’tI？Ifurnishthe——“
　　“Yes，youpaytherent，“saidCarrie。”Youtalkasiftherewas，nothingelseintheworldbutaflattositaroundin。You，haven’tdoneathingforthreemonthsexceptsitaroundand，interferehere。I’dliketoknowwhatyoumarriedmefor？”
　　“Ididn’tmarryyou，“hesaid，inasnarlingtone。
　　“I’dliketoknowwhatyoudid，then，inMontreal？”sheanswered。
　　“Well，Ididn’tmarryyou，“heanswered。”Youcangetthatout，ofyourhead。Youtalkasthoughyoudidn’tknow。”
　　Carrielookedathimamoment，hereyesdistending。Shehad，believeditwasalllegalandbindingenough。
　　“Whatdidyoulietomefor，then？”sheasked，fiercely。”What，didyouforcemetorunawaywithyoufor？”
　　Hervoicebecamealmostasob。
　　“Force！”hesaid，withcurledlip。”AlotofforcingIdid。”
　　“Oh！”saidCarrie，breakingunderthestrain，andturning。”Oh，oh！”andshehurriedintothefrontroom。
　　Hurstwoodwasnowhotandwakedup。Itwasagreatshakingup，forhim，bothmentalandmoral。Hewipedhisbrowashelooked，around，andthenwentforhisclothesanddressed。Notasound，camefromCarrie;sheceasedsobbingwhensheheardhimdressing。
　　Shethought，atfirst，withthefaintestalarm，ofbeingleft，withoutmoney——notoflosinghim，thoughhemightbegoingaway，permanently。Sheheardhimopenthetopofthewardrobeandtake，outhishat。Thenthedining-roomdoorclosed，andsheknewhe，hadgone。
　　Afterafewmomentsofsilence，shestoodup，dry-eyed，and，lookedoutthewindow。Hurstwoodwasjuststrollingupthe，street，fromtheflat，towardSixthAvenue。
　　ThelattermadeprogressalongThirteenthandacrossFourteenth，StreettoUnionSquare。
　　“Lookforwork！”hesaidtohimself。”Lookforwork！Shetells，metogetoutandlookforwork。”
　　Hetriedtoshieldhimselffromhisownmentalaccusation，which，toldhimthatshewasright。
　　“WhatacursedthingthatMrs。Vance’scallwas，anyhow，“he，thought。”Stoodrightthere，andlookedmeover。Iknowwhat，shewasthinking。”
　　HerememberedthefewtimeshehadseenherinSeventy-eight，Street。Shewasalwaysaswell-looker，andhehadtriedtoput，ontheairofbeingworthyofsuchasshe，infrontofher。Now，tothinkshehadcaughthimlookingthisway。Hewrinkledhis，foreheadinhisdistress。
　　“Thedevil！”hesaidadozentimesinanhour。
　　Itwasaquarterafterfourwhenheleftthehouse。Carriewas，intears。Therewouldbenodinnerthatnight。
　　“Whatthedeuce，“hesaid，swaggeringmentallytohidehisown，shamefromhimself。”I’mnotsobad。I’mnotdownyet。”
　　Helookedaroundthesquare，andseeingtheseverallargehotels，decidedtogotoonefordinner。Hewouldgethispapersand，makehimselfcomfortablethere。
　　HeascendedintothefineparlouroftheMortonHouse，thenone，ofthebestNewYorkhotels，and，findingacushionedseat，read。
　　Itdidnottroublehimmuchthathisdecreasingsumofmoneydid，notallowofsuchextravagance。Likethemorphinefiend，hewas，becomingaddictedtohisease。Anythingtorelievehismental，distress，tosatisfyhiscravingforcomfort。Hemustdoit。No，thoughtsforthemorrow——hecouldnotstandtothinkofitany，morethanhecouldofanyothercalamity。Likethecertaintyof，death，hetriedtoshutthecertaintyofsoonbeingwithouta，dollarcompletelyoutofhismind，andhecameveryneardoing，it。
　　Well-dressedguestsmovingtoandfrooverthethickcarpets，carriedhimbacktotheolddays。Ayounglady，aguestofthe，house，playingapianoinanalcovepleasedhim。Hesatthere，reading。
　　Hisdinnercosthim$1。50。Byeighto’clockhewasthrough，and，then，seeingguestsleavingandthecrowdofpleasure-seekers，thickeningoutsidewonderedwhereheshouldgo。Nothome。
　　Carriewouldbeup。No，hewouldnotgobacktherethisevening。
　　Hewouldstayoutandknockaroundasamanwhowasindependent——
　　notbroke——wellmight。Heboughtacigar，andwentoutsideon，thecornerwhereotherindividualswerelounging——brokers，racing，people，thespians——hisownfleshandblood。Ashestoodthere，hethoughtoftheoldeveningsinChicago，andhowheusedto，disposeofthem。Many’sthegamehehadhad。Thistookhimto，poker。
　　“Ididn’tdothatthingrighttheotherday，“hethought，referringtohislossofsixtydollars。”Ishouldn’thave，weakened。Icouldhavebluffedthatfellowdown。Iwasn’tin，form，that’swhatailedme。”
　　Thenhestudiedthepossibilitiesofthegameasithadbeen，played，andbegantofigurehowhemighthavewon，inseveral，instances，bybluffingalittleharder。
　　“I’moldenoughtoplaypokeranddosomethingwithit。I’lltry，myhandto-night。”
　　Visionsofabigstakefloatedbeforehim。Supposinghedidwin，acoupleofhundred，wouldn’thebeinit？Lotsofsportsheknew，madetheirlivingatthisgame，andagoodliving，too。
　　“TheyalwayshadasmuchasIhad，“hethought。
　　Sooffhewenttoapokerroomintheneighbourhood，feelingmuch，ashehadintheolddays。Inthisperiodofself-forgetfulness，arousedfirstbytheshockofargumentandperfectedbyadinner，inthehotel，withcocktailsandcigars，hewasasnearlylike，theoldHurstwoodashewouldeverbeagain。Itwasnottheold，Hurstwood——onlyamanarguingwithadividedconscienceandlured，byaphantom。
　　Thispokerroomwasmuchliketheotherone，onlyitwasaback，roominabetterdrinkingresort。Hurstwoodwatchedawhile，and，then，seeinganinterestinggame，joinedin。Asbefore，itwent，easyforawhile，hewinningafewtimesandcheeringup，losing，afewpotsandgrowingmoreinterestedanddeterminedonthat，account。Atlastthefascinatinggametookastrongholdonhim。
　　Heenjoyeditsrisksandventured，onatriflinghand，tobluff，thecompanyandsecureafairstake。Tohisself-satisfaction，intenseandstrong，hedidit。
　　Intheheightofthisfeelinghebegantothinkhisluckwaswith，him。Nooneelsehaddonesowell。Nowcameanothermoderate，hand，andagainhetriedtoopenthejack-potonit。Therewere，otherstherewhowerealmostreadinghisheart，soclosewas，theirobservation。
　　“Ihavethreeofakind，“saidoneoftheplayerstohimself。
　　“I’lljuststaywiththatfellowtothefinish。”
　　Theresultwasthatbiddingbegan。
　　“Iraiseyouten。”
　　“Good。”
　　“Tenmore。”
　　“Good。”
　　“Tenagain。”
　　“Rightyouare。”
　　ItgottowhereHurstwoodhadseventy-fivedollarsup。Theother，manreallybecameserious。PerhapsthisindividualHurstwood
　　reallydidhaveastiffhand。
　　“Icall，“hesaid。
　　Hurstwoodshowedhishand。Hewasdone。Thebitterfactthathe，hadlostseventy-fivedollarsmadehimdesperate。
　　“Let’shaveanotherpot，“hesaid，grimly。
　　“Allright，“saidtheman。
　　Someoftheotherplayersquit，butobservantloungerstooktheir，places。Timepassed，anditcametotwelveo’clock。Hurstwood，heldon，neitherwinningnorlosingmuch。Thenhegrewweary，andonalasthandlosttwentymore。Hewassickatheart。
　　Ataquarterafteroneinthemorninghecameoutoftheplace。
　　Thechill，barestreetsseemedamockeryofhisstate。Hewalked，slowlywest，littlethinkingofhisrowwithCarrie。Heascended，thestairsandwentintohisroomasiftherehadbeenno，trouble。Itwashislossthatoccupiedhismind。Sittingdown，onthebedsidehecountedhismoney。Therewasnowbutahundred，andninetydollarsandsomechange。Heputitupandbeganto，undress。
　　“Iwonderwhat’sgettingintome，anyhow？”hesaid。
　　InthemorningCarriescarcelyspokeandhefeltasifhemustgo，outagain。Hehadtreatedherbadly，buthecouldnotaffordto，makeup。Nowdesperationseizedhim，andforadayortwo，going，outthus，helivedlikeagentleman——orwhatheconceivedtobea，gentleman——whichtookmoney。Forhisescapadeshewassoon，poorerinmindandbody，tosaynothingofhispurse，whichhad，lostthirtybytheprocess。Thenhecamedowntocold，bitter，senseagain。
　　“Therentmancomesto-day，“saidCarrie，greetinghimthus，indifferentlythreemorningslater。
　　“Hedoes？”
　　“Yes;thisisthesecond，“answeredCarrie。
　　Hurstwoodfrowned。Thenindespairhegotouthispurse。
　　“Itseemsanawfullottopayforrent，“hesaid。
　　Hewasnearinghislasthundreddollars。
　　ChapterXXXVII
　　THESPIRITAWAKENS——NEWSEARCHFORTHEGATE
　　Itwouldbeuselesstoexplainhowinduetimethelastfifty，dollarswasinsight。Thesevenhundred，byhisprocessof，handling，hadonlycarriedthemintoJune。Beforethefinal，hundredmarkwasreachedhebegantoindicatethatacalamitywas，approaching。
　　“Idon’tknow，“hesaidoneday，takingatrivialexpenditurefor，meatasatext，“itseemstotakeanawfullotforustolive。”
　　“Itdoesn’tseemtome，“saidCarrie，“thatwespendverymuch。”
　　“Mymoneyisnearlygone，“hesaid，“andIhardlyknowwhereit’s，goneto。”
　　“Allthatsevenhundreddollars？”askedCarrie。
　　“Allbutahundred。”
　　Helookedsodisconsolatethatitscaredher。Shebegantosee，thatsheherselfhadbeendrifting。Shehadfeltitallthe，time。
　　“Well，George，“sheexclaimed，“whydon’tyougetoutandlook，forsomething？Youcouldfindsomething。”
　　“Ihavelooked，“hesaid。”Youcantmakepeoplegiveyoua，place。”
　　Shegazedweaklyathimandsaid：“Well，whatdoyouthinkyou，willdo？Ahundreddollarswon’tlastlong。”
　　“Idon’tknow，“hesaid。”Ican’tdoanymorethanlook。”
　　Carriebecamefrightenedoverthisannouncement。Shethought，desperatelyuponthesubject。Frequentlyshehadconsideredthe，stageasadoorthroughwhichshemightenterthatgildedstate，whichshehadsomuchcraved。Now，asinChicago，itcameasa，lastresourceindistress。Somethingmustbedoneifhedidnot，getworksoon。Perhapsshewouldhavetogooutandbattleagain，alone。
　　Shebegantowonderhowonewouldgoaboutgettingaplace。Her，experienceinChicagoprovedthatshehadnottriedtheright，way。Theremustbepeoplewhowouldlistentoandtryyou——men，whowouldgiveyouanopportunity。
　　Theyweretalkingatthebreakfasttable，amorningortwolater，whenshebroughtupthedramaticsubjectbysayingthatshesaw，thatSarahBernhardtwascomingtothiscountry。Hurstwoodhad，seenit，too。
　　“Howdopeoplegetonthestage，George？”shefinallyasked，innocently。
　　“Idon’tknow，“hesaid。”Theremustbedramaticagents。”
　　Carriewassippingcoffee，anddidnotlookup。
　　“Regularpeoplewhogetyouaplace？”
　　“Yes，Ithinkso，“heanswered。
　　Suddenlytheairwithwhichsheaskedattractedhisattention。
　　“You’renotstillthinkingaboutbeinganactress，areyou？”he，asked。
　　“No，“sheanswered，“Iwasjustwondering。”
　　Withoutbeingclear，therewassomethinginthethoughtwhichhe，objectedto。Hedidnotbelieveanymore，afterthreeyearsof，observation，thatCarriewouldeverdoanythinggreatinthat，line。Sheseemedtoosimple，tooyielding。Hisideaoftheart，wasthatitinvolvedsomethingmorepompous。Ifshetriedtoget，onthestageshewouldfallintothehandsofsomecheapmanager，andbecomeliketherestofthem。Hehadagoodideaofwhathe，meantbyTHEM。Carriewaspretty。Shewouldgetalongall，right，butwherewouldhebe？
　　“I’dgetthatideaoutofmyhead，ifIwereyou。It’salot，moredifficultthanyouthink。”
　　Carriefeltthistocontain，insomeway，anaspersionuponher，ability。
　　“YousaidIdidrealwellinChicago，“sherejoined。
　　“Youdid，“heanswered，seeingthathewasarousingopposition，“butChicagoisn’tNewYork，byabigjump。”
　　Carriedidnotanswerthisatall。Ithurther。
　　“Thestage，“hewenton，“isallrightifyoucanbeoneofthe，bigguns，butthere’snothingtotherestofit。Ittakesalong，whiletogetup。”
　　“Oh，Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，slightlyaroused。
　　Inaflash，hethoughtheforesawtheresultofthisthing。Now，whentheworstofhissituationwasapproaching，shewouldgeton，thestageinsomecheapwayandforsakehim。Strangely，hehad，notconceivedwellofhermentalability。Thatwasbecausehe，didnotunderstandthenatureofemotionalgreatness。Hehad，neverlearnedthatapersonmightbeemotionally——insteadof，intellectually——great。AveryHallwastoofarawayforhimto，lookbackandsharplyremember。Hehadlivedwiththiswomantoo，long。
　　“Well，Ido，“heanswered。”IfIwereyouIwouldn’tthinkof，it。It’snotmuchofaprofessionforawoman。”
　　“It’sbetterthangoinghungry，“saidCarrie。”Ifyoudon’twant，metodothat，whydon’tyougetworkyourself？”
　　Therewasnoanswerreadyforthis。Hehadgotusedtothe，suggestion。
　　“Oh，letup，“heanswered。
　　Theresultofthiswasthatshesecretlyresolvedtotry。It，didn’tmatterabouthim。Shewasnotgoingtobedraggedinto，povertyandsomethingworsetosuithim。Shecouldact。She，couldgetsomethingandthenworkup。Whatwouldhesaythen？
　　Shepicturedherselfalreadyappearinginsomefineperformance，onBroadway;ofgoingeveryeveningtoherdressing-roomand，makingup。Thenshewouldcomeoutateleveno’clockandseethe，carriagesrangedabout，waitingforthepeople。Itdidnot，matterwhethershewasthestarornot。Ifshewereonlyonce，in，gettingadecentsalary，wearingthekindofclothesshe，liked，havingthemoneytodowith，goinghereandthereasshe，pleased，howdelightfulitwouldallbe。Hermindranoverthis，pictureallthedaylong。Hurstwood’sdrearystatemadeits，beautybecomemoreandmorevivid。
　　CuriouslythisideasoontookholdofHurstwood。Hisvanishing，sumsuggestedthathewouldneedsustenance。Whycouldnot，Carrieassisthimalittleuntilhecouldgetsomething？
　　Hecameinonedaywithsomethingofthisideainhismind。
　　“ImetJohnB。Draketo-day，“hesaid。”He’sgoingtoopena，hotelhereinthefall。Hesaysthathecanmakeaplaceforme，then。”
　　“Whoishe？”askedCarrie。
　　“He’sthemanthatrunstheGrandPacificinChicago。”
　　“Oh，“saidCarrie。
　　“I’dgetaboutfourteenhundredayearoutofthat。”
　　“Thatwouldbegood，wouldn’tit？”shesaid，sympathetically。
　　“IfIcanonlygetoverthissummer，“headded，“IthinkI’llbe，allright。I’mhearingfromsomeofmyfriendsagain。”
　　Carrieswallowedthisstoryinallitspristinebeauty。She，sincerelywishedhecouldgetthroughthesummer。Helookedso，hopeless。
　　“Howmuchmoneyhaveyouleft？”
　　“Onlyfiftydollars。”
　　“Oh，mercy，“sheexclaimed，“whatwillwedo？It’sonlytwenty，daysuntiltherentwillbedueagain。”
　　Hurstwoodrestedhisheadonhishandsandlookedblanklyatthe，floor。
　　“Maybeyoucouldgetsomethinginthestageline？”heblandly，suggested。
　　“MaybeIcould，“saidCarrie，gladthatsomeoneapprovedofthe，idea。
　　“I’lllaymyhandtowhateverIcanget，“hesaid，nowthathe，sawherbrightenup。”Icangetsomething。”
　　Shecleanedupthethingsonemorningafterhehadgone，dressed，asneatlyasherwardrobepermitted，andsetoutforBroadway。
　　Shedidnotknowthatthoroughfareverywell。Toheritwasa，wonderfulconglomerationofeverythinggreatandmighty。The，theatreswerethere——theseagenciesmustbesomewhereabout。
　　ShedecidedtostopinattheMadisonSquareTheatreandaskhow，tofindthetheatricalagents。Thisseemedthesensibleway。
　　Accordingly，whenshereachedthattheatresheappliedtothe，clerkattheboxoffice。
　　“Eh？”hesaid，lookingout。”Dramaticagents？Idon’tknow。
　　You’llfindtheminthe’Clipper，’though。Theyalladvertisein，that。”
　　“Isthatapaper？”saidCarrie。
　　“Yes，“saidtheclerk，marvellingatsuchignoranceofacommon，fact。”Youcangetitatthenews-stands，“headdedpolitely，seeinghowprettytheinquirerwas。
　　Carrieproceededtogetthe“Clipper，“andtriedtofindthe，agentsbylookingoveritasshestoodbesidethestand。This，couldnotbedonesoeasily。ThirteenthStreetwasanumberof，blocksoff，butshewentback，carryingthepreciouspaperand，regrettingthewasteoftime。
　　Hurstwoodwasalreadythere，sittinginhisplace。
　　“Wherewereyou？”heasked。
　　“I’vebeentryingtofindsomedramaticagents。”
　　Hefeltalittlediffidentaboutaskingconcerninghersuccess。
　　Thepapershebegantoscanattractedhisattention。
　　“Whathaveyougotthere？”heasked。
　　“The’Clipper。’ThemansaidI’dfindtheiraddressesinhere。”
　　“HaveyoubeenallthewayovertoBroadwaytofindthatout？I
　　couldhavetoldyou。”
　　“Whydidn’tyou？”sheasked，withoutlookingup。
　　“Youneveraskedme，“hereturned。
　　Shewenthuntingaimlesslythroughthecrowdedcolumns。Hermind，wasdistractedbythisman’sindifference。Thedifficultyofthe，situationshewasfacingwasonlyaddedtobyallhedid。Self-
　　commiserationbrewedinherheart。Tearstrembledalongher，eyelidsbutdidnotfall。Hurstwoodnoticedsomething。
　　“Letmelook。”
　　Torecoverherselfshewentintothefrontroomwhilehe，searched。Presentlyshereturned。Hehadapencil，andwas，writinguponanenvelope。
　　“Here’rethree，“hesaid。
　　CarrietookitandfoundthatonewasMrs。Bermudez，another，MarcusJenks，athirdPercyWeil。Shepausedonlyamoment，and，thenmovedtowardthedoor。
　　“Imightaswellgorightaway，“shesaid，withoutlookingback。
　　Hurstwoodsawherdepartwithsomefaintstirringsofshame，whichweretheexpressionofamanhoodrapidlybecoming，stultified。Hesatawhile，andthenitbecametoomuch。Hegot，upandputonhishat。
　　“IguessI’llgoout，“hesaidtohimself，andwent，strolling，nowhereinparticular，butfeelingsomehowthathemustgo。
　　Carrie’sfirstcallwasuponMrs。Bermudez，whoseaddresswas，quitethenearest。Itwasanold-fashionedresidenceturnedinto，offices。Mrs。Bermudez’sofficesconsistedofwhatformerlyhad，beenabackchamberandahallbedroom，marked“Private。”
　　AsCarrieenteredshenoticedseveralpersonsloungingabout——
　　men，whosaidnothinganddidnothing。
　　Whileshewaswaitingtobenoticed，thedoorofthehallbedroom，openedandfromitissuedtwoverymannish-lookingwomen，very，tightlydressed，andwearingwhitecollarsandcuffs。Afterthem，cameaportlyladyofaboutforty-five，light-haired，sharp-eyed，andevidentlygood-natured。Atleastshewassmiling。
　　“Now，don’tforgetaboutthat，“saidoneofthemannishwomen。
　　“Iwon’t，“saidtheportlywoman。”Let’ssee，“sheadded，“where，areyouthefirstweekinFebruary？”
　　“Pittsburg，“saidthewoman。
　　“I’llwriteyouthere。”
　　“Allright，“saidtheother，andthetwopassedout。
　　Instantlytheportlylady’sfacebecameexceedinglysoberand，shrewd。SheturnedaboutandfixedonCarrieaverysearching，eye。
　　“Well，“shesaid，“youngwoman，whatcanIdoforyou？”
　　“AreyouMrs。Bermudez？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Well，“saidCarrie，hesitatinghowtobegin，“doyougetplaces，forpersonsuponthestage？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Couldyougetmeone？”
　　“Haveyoueverhadanyexperience？”
　　“Averylittle，“saidCarrie。
　　“Whomdidyouplaywith？”
　　“Oh，withnoone，“saidCarrie。”Itwasjustashowgotten——“
　　“Oh，Isee，“saidthewoman，interruptingher。”No，Idon’tknow，ofanythingnow。”
　　Carrie’scountenancefell。
　　“YouwanttogetsomeNewYorkexperience，“concludedtheaffable，Mrs。Bermudez。”We’lltakeyourname，though。”
　　Carriestoodlookingwhiletheladyretiredtoheroffice。
　　“Whatisyouraddress？”inquiredayoungladybehindthecounter，takingupthecurtailedconversation。
　　“Mrs。GeorgeWheeler，“saidCarrie，movingovertowhereshewas，writing。Thewomanwroteheraddressinfullandthenallowed，hertodepartatherleisure。
　　SheencounteredaverysimilarexperienceintheofficeofMr。
　　Jenks，onlyhevarieditbysayingattheclose：“Ifyoucould，playatsomelocalhouse，orhadaprogrammewithyournameon，it，Imightdosomething。”
　　Inthethirdplacetheindividualasked：
　　“Whatsortofworkdoyouwanttodo？”
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”saidCarrie。
　　“Well，doyouwanttogetinacomedyoronthevaudevilleorin，thechorus？”
　　“Oh，I’dliketogetapartinaplay，“saidCarrie。
　　“Well，“saidtheman，“it’llcostyousomethingtodothat。”
　　“Howmuch？”saidCarrie，who，ridiculousasitmayseem，hadnot，thoughtofthisbefore。
　　“Well，that’sforyoutosay，“heansweredshrewdly。
　　Carrielookedathimcuriously。Shehardlyknewhowtocontinue，theinquiry。
　　“CouldyougetmeapartifIpaid？”
　　“Ifwedidn’tyou’dgetyourmoneyback。”
　　“Oh，“shesaid。
　　Theagentsawhewasdealingwithaninexperiencedsoul，and，continuedaccordingly。
　　“You’dwanttodepositfiftydollars，anyway。Noagentwould，troubleaboutyouforlessthanthat。”
　　Carriesawalight。
　　“Thankyou，“shesaid。”I’llthinkaboutit。”
　　Shestartedtogo，andthenbethoughtherself。
　　“HowsoonwouldIgetaplace？”sheasked。
　　“Well，that’shardtosay，“saidtheman。”Youmightgetonein，aweek，oritmightbeamonth。You’dgetthefirstthingthat，wethoughtyoucoulddo。”
　　“Isee，“saidCarrie，andthen，half-smilingtobeagreeable，she，walkedout。
　　Theagentstudiedamoment，andthensaidtohimself：
　　“It’sfunnyhowanxiousthesewomenaretogetonthestage。”
　　Carriefoundamplefoodforreflectioninthefifty-dollar，proposition。”Maybethey’dtakemymoneyandnotgiveme，anything，“shethought。Shehadsomejewelry——adiamondringand，pinandseveralotherpieces。Shecouldgetfiftydollarsfor，thoseifshewenttoapawnbroker。
　　Hurstwoodwashomebeforeher。Hehadnotthoughtshewouldbe，solongseeking。
　　“Well？”hesaid，notventuringtoaskwhatnews。
　　“Ididn’tfindoutanythingto-day，“saidCarrie，takingoffher，gloves。”Theyallwantmoneytogetyouaplace。”
　　“Howmuch？”askedHurstwood。
　　“Fiftydollars。”
　　“Theydon’twantanything，dothey？”
　　“Oh，they’relikeeverybodyelse。Youcan’ttellwhetherthey’d，evergetyouanythingafteryoudidpaythem。”
　　“Well，Iwouldn’tputupfiftyonthatbasis，“saidHurstwood，as，ifheweredeciding，moneyinhand。
　　“Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie。”IthinkI’lltrysomeofthe，managers。”
　　Hurstwoodheardthis，deadtothehorrorofit。Herockeda，littletoandfro，andchewedathisfinger。Itseemedallvery，naturalinsuchextremestates。Hewoulddobetterlateron。
　　ChapterXXXVIII
　　INELFLANDDISPORTING——THEGRIMWORLDWITHOUT
　　WhenCarrierenewedhersearch，asshedidthenextday，goingto，theCasino，shefoundthatintheoperachorus，asinother，fields，employmentisdifficulttosecure。Girlswhocanstand，inalineandlookprettyareasnumerousaslabourerswhocan，swingapick。Shefoundtherewasnodiscriminationbetweenone，andtheotherofapplicants，saveasregardsaconventional，standardofprettinessandform。Theirownopinionorknowledge，oftheirabilitywentfornothing。
　　“WhereshallIfindMr。Gray？”sheaskedofasulkydoormanat，thestageentranceoftheCasino。
　　“Youcan’tseehimnow;he’sbusy。”
　　“DoyouknowwhenIcanseehim？”
　　“Gotanappointmentwithhim？”
　　“No。”
　　“Well，you’llhavetocallathisoffice。”
　　“Oh，dear！”exclaimedCarrie。”Whereishisoffice？”
　　Hegaveherthenumber。
　　Sheknewtherewasnoneedofcallingtherenow。Hewouldnotbe，in。Nothingremainedbuttoemploytheintermediatehoursin，search。
　　Thedismalstoryofventuresinotherplacesisquicklytold。
　　Mr。Dalysawnoonesavebyappointment。Carriewaitedanhour，inadingyoffice，quiteinspiteofobstacles，tolearnthis，factoftheplacid，indifferentMr。Dorney。
　　“Youwillhavetowriteandaskhimtoseeyou。”
　　Soshewentaway。
　　AttheEmpireTheatreshefoundahiveofpeculiarlylistlessand，indifferentindividuals。Everythingornatelyupholstered，everythingcarefullyfinished，everythingremarkablyreserved。
　　AttheLyceumsheenteredoneofthosesecluded，under-stairway，closets，beruggedandbepaneled，whichcausesonetofeelthe，greatnessofallpositionsofauthority。Herewasreserveitself，doneintoabox-officeclerk，adoorman，andanassistant，gloryingintheirfinepositions。
　　“Ah，beveryhumblenow——veryhumbleindeed。Telluswhatitis，yourequire。Tellitquickly，nervously，andwithoutavestige，ofself-respect。Ifnotroubletousinanyway，wemayseewhat，wecando。”
　　ThiswastheatmosphereoftheLyceum——theattitude，forthat，matter，ofeverymanagerialofficeinthecity。Theselittle，proprietorsofbusinessesarelordsindeedontheirownground。
　　Carriecameawaywearily，somewhatmoreabashedforherpains。
　　Hurstwoodheardthedetailsofthewearyandunavailingsearch，thatevening。
　　“Ididn’tgettoseeanyone，“saidCarrie。”Ijustwalked，and，walked，andwaitedaround。”
　　Hurstwoodonlylookedather。
　　“Isupposeyouhavetohavesomefriendsbeforeyoucangetin，“
　　sheadded，disconsolately。
　　Hurstwoodsawthedifficultyofthisthing，andyetitdidnot，seemsoterrible。Carriewastiredanddispirited，butnowshe，couldrest。Viewingtheworldfromhisrocking-chair，its，bitternessdidnotseemtoapproachsorapidly。To-morrowwas，anotherday。
　　To-morrowcame，andthenext，andthenext。
　　CarriesawthemanagerattheCasinoonce。
　　“Comearound，“hesaid，“thefirstofnextweek。Imaymakesome，changesthen。”
　　Hewasalargeandcorpulentindividual，surfeitedwithgood，clothesandgoodeating，whojudgedwomenasanotherwould，horseflesh。Carriewasprettyandgraceful。Shemightbeputin，evenifshedidnothaveanyexperience。Oneoftheproprietors，hadsuggestedthatthechoruswasalittleweakonlooks。
　　Thefirstofnextweekwassomedaysoffyet。Thefirstofthe，monthwasdrawingnear。Carriebegantoworryasshehadnever，worriedbefore。
　　“Doyoureallylookforanythingwhenyougoout？”sheasked，Hurstwoodonemorningasaclimaxtosomepainfulthoughtsofher，own。
　　“OfcourseIdo，“hesaidpettishly，troublingonlyalittleover，thedisgraceoftheinsinuation。
　　“I’dtakeanything，“shesaid，“forthepresent。Itwillsoonbe，thefirstofthemonthagain。”
　　Shelookedthepictureofdespair。
　　Hurstwoodquitreadinghispaperandchangedhisclothes。
　　“Hewouldlookforsomething，“hethought。”Hewouldgoandsee，ifsomebrewerycouldn’tgethiminsomewhere。Yes，hewould，takeapositionasbartender，ifhecouldgetit。”
　　Itwasthesamesortofpilgrimagehehadmadebefore。Oneor，twoslightrebuffs，andthebravadodisappeared。
　　“Nouse，“hethought。”Imightaswellgoonbackhome。”
　　Nowthathismoneywassolow，hebegantoobservehisclothes，andfeelthatevenhisbestoneswerebeginningtolook，commonplace。Thiswasabitterthought。
　　Carriecameinafterhedid。
　　“Iwenttoseesomeofthevarietymanagers，“shesaid，aimlessly。”Youhavetohaveanact。Theydon’twantanybody，thathasn’t。”
　　“Isawsomeofthebrewerypeopleto-day，“saidHurstwood。”One，mantoldmehe’dtrytomakeaplaceformeintwoorthree，weeks。”
　　InthefaceofsomuchdistressonCarrie’spart，hehadtomake，someshowing，anditwasthushedidso。Itwaslassitude’s，apologytoenergy。
　　MondayCarriewentagaintotheCasino。
　　“DidItellyoutocomearoundtoday？”saidthemanager，looking，heroverasshestoodbeforehim。
　　“Yousaidthefirstoftheweek，“saidCarrie，greatlyabashed。
　　“Everhadanyexperience？”heaskedagain，almostseverely。
　　Carrieownedtoignorance。
　　Helookedheroveragainashestirredamongsomepapers。Hewas，secretlypleasedwiththispretty，disturbed-lookingyoungwoman。
　　“Comearoundtothetheatreto-morrowmorning。”
　　Carrie’sheartboundedtoherthroat。
　　“Iwill，“shesaidwithdifficulty。Shecouldseehewantedher，andturnedtogo。
　　“Wouldhereallyputhertowork？Oh，blessedfortune，couldit，be？”
　　Alreadythehardrumbleofthecitythroughtheopenwindows，becamepleasant。
　　Asharpvoiceansweredhermentalinterrogation，drivingawayall，immediatefearsonthatscore。
　　“Besureyou’retherepromptly，“themanagersaidroughly。
　　“You’llbedroppedifyou’renot。”
　　Carriehastenedaway。ShedidnotquarrelnowwithHurstwood’s，idleness。Shehadaplace——shehadaplace！Thissanginher，ears。
　　InherdelightshewasalmostanxioustotellHurstwood。But，as，shewalkedhomeward，andhersurveyofthefactsofthecase，becamelarger，shebegantothinkoftheanomalyofherfinding，workinseveralweeksandhislounginginidlenessforanumber，ofmonths。
　　“Whydon’thegetsomething？”sheopenlysaidtoherself。”IfI
　　canhesurelyoughtto。Itwasn’tveryhardforme。”
　　Sheforgotheryouthandherbeauty。Thehandicapofageshedid，not，inherenthusiasm，perceive。
　　Thus，ever，thevoiceofsuccess。
　　Still，shecouldnotkeephersecret。Shetriedtobecalmand，indifferent，butitwasapalpablesham。
　　“Well？”hesaid，seeingherrelievedface。
　　“Ihaveaplace。”
　　“Youhave？”hesaid，breathingabetterbreath。
　　“Yes。”
　　“Whatsortofaplaceisit？”heasked，feelinginhisveinsas，ifnowhemightgetsomethinggoodalso。
　　“Inthechorus，“sheanswered。
　　“IsittheCasinoshowyoutoldmeabout？”
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。”Ibeginrehearsingto-morrow。”
　　TherewasmoreexplanationvolunteeredbyCarrie，becauseshewas，happy。AtlastHurstwoodsaid：
　　“Doyouknowhowmuchyou’llget？”
　　“No，Ididn’twanttoask，“saidCarrie。”Iguesstheypay，twelveorfourteendollarsaweek。”
　　“Aboutthat，Iguess，“saidHurstwood。