第15章

Carrielookedandbeheldanewcontractmadeoutliketheother，one，withtheexceptionofthenewfiguresofsalaryandtime。

Withahandtremblingfromexcitementsheaffixedhername。

“Onehundredandfiftyaweek！”shemurmured，whenshewasagain，alone。Shefound，afterall——aswhatmillionairehasnot？——that，therewasnorealising，inconsciousness，themeaningoflarge，sums。Itwasonlyashimmering，glitteringphraseinwhichlaya，worldofpossibilities。

Downinathird-rateBleeckerStreethotel，thebrooding，HurstwoodreadthedramaticitemcoveringCarrie’ssuccess，withoutatfirstrealisingwhowasmeant。Thensuddenlyitcame，tohimandhereadthewholethingoveragain。

“That’sher，allright，Iguess，“hesaid。

Thenhelookedaboutuponadingy，moth-eatenhotellobby。

“Iguessshe’sstruckit，“hethought，apictureoftheold，shiny，plush-coveredworldcomingback，withitslights，its，ornaments，itscarriages，andflowers。Ah，shewasinthewalled，citynow！Itssplendidgateshadopened，admittingherfroma，cold，drearyoutside。Sheseemedacreatureafaroff——likeevery，othercelebrityhehadknown。

“Well，letherhaveit，“hesaid。”Iwon’tbotherher。”

Itwasthegrimresolutionofabent，bedraggled，butunbroken，pride。

ChapterXLIV

ANDTHISISNOTELFLAND——WHATGOLDWILLNOTBUY

WhenCarriegotbackonthestage，shefoundthatovernighther，dressing-roomhadbeenchanged。

“Youaretousethisroom，MissMadenda，“saidoneofthestage，lackeys。

Nolongeranyneedofclimbingseveralflightsofstepstoa，smallcoopsharedwithanother。Instead，acomparativelylarge，andcommodiouschamberwithconveniencesnotenjoyedbythesmall，fryoverhead。Shebreatheddeeplyandwithdelight。Her，sensationsweremorephysicalthanmental。Infact，shewas，scarcelythinkingatall。Heartandbodywerehavingtheirsay。

Graduallythedeferenceandcongratulationgaveheramental，appreciationofherstate。Shewasnolongerordered，but，requested，andthatpolitely。Theothermembersofthecast，lookedatherenviouslyasshecameoutarrayedinhersimple，habit，whichsheworeallthroughtheplay。Allthosewhohad，supposedlybeenherequalsandsuperiorsnowsmiledthesmileof，sociability，asmuchastosay：“Howfriendlywehavealways，been。”Onlythestarcomedianwhoseparthadbeensodeeply，injuredstalkedbyhimself。Figuratively，hecouldnotkissthe，handthatsmotehim。

Doinghersimplepart，Carriegraduallyrealisedthemeaningof，theapplausewhichwasforher，anditwassweet。Shefelt，mildlyguiltyofsomething——perhapsunworthiness。Whenher，associatesaddressedherinthewingssheonlysmiledweakly。

Theprideanddaringofplacewerenotforher。Itneveronce，crossedhermindtobereservedorhaughty——tobeotherthanshe，hadbeen。AftertheperformancessherodetoherroomwithLola，inacarriageprovided。

Thencameaweekinwhichthefirstfruitsofsuccesswere，offeredtoherlips——bowlafterbowl。Itdidnotmatterthather，splendidsalaryhadnotbegun。Theworldseemedsatisfiedwith，thepromise。Shebegantogetlettersandcards。AMr。Withers——

whomshedidnotknowfromAdam——havinglearnedbysomehookor，crookwheresheresided，bowedhimselfpolitelyin。

“Youwillexcusemeforintruding，“hesaid;“buthaveyoubeen，thinkingofchangingyourapartments？”

“Ihadn’tthoughtofit，“returnedCarrie。

“Well，IamconnectedwiththeWellington——thenewhotelon，Broadway。Youhaveprobablyseennoticesofitinthepapers。”

Carrierecognisedthenameasstandingforoneofthenewestand，mostimposinghostelries。Shehadhearditspokenofashavinga，splendidrestaurant。

“Justso，“wentonMr。Withers，acceptingheracknowledgmentof，familiarity。”Wehavesomeveryelegantroomsatpresentwhich，wewouldliketohaveyoulookat，ifyouhavenotmadeupyour，mindwhereyouintendtoresideforthesummer。Ourapartments，areperfectineverydetail——hotandcoldwater，privatebaths，specialhallserviceforeveryfloor，elevators，andallthat。

Youknowwhatourrestaurantis。”

Carrielookedathimquietly。Shewaswonderingwhetherhetook，hertobeamillionaire。

“Whatareyourrates？”sheinquired。

“Well，now，thatiswhatIcametotalkwithyouprivatelyabout。

Ourregularratesareanywherefromthreetofiftydollarsa，day。”

“Mercy！”interruptedCarrie。”Icouldn’tpayanysuchrateas，that。”

“Iknowhowyoufeelaboutit，“exclaimedMr。Withers，halting。

“Butjustletmeexplain。Isaidthoseareourregularrates。

Likeeveryotherhotelwemakespecialoneshowever。Possibly，youhavenotthoughtaboutit，butyournameisworthsomething，tous。”

“Oh！”ejaculatedCarrie，seeingataglance。

“Ofcourse。Everyhoteldependsuponthereputeofitspatrons。

Awell-knownactresslikeyourself，“andhebowedpolitely，while，Carrieflushed，“drawsattentiontothehotel，and——althoughyou，maynotbelieveit——patrons。”

“Oh，yes，“returnedCarrie，vacantly，tryingtoarrangethis，curiouspropositioninhermind。

“Now，“continuedMr。Withers，swayinghisderbyhatsoftlyand，beatingoneofhispolishedshoesuponthefloor，“Iwantto，arrange，ifpossible，tohaveyoucomeandstopatthe，Wellington。Youneednottroubleaboutterms。Infact，weneed，hardlydiscussthem。Anythingwilldoforthesummer——amere，figure——anythingthatyouthinkyoucouldaffordtopay。”

Carriewasabouttointerrupt，buthegavehernochance。

“Youcancometo-dayorto-morrow——theearlierthebetter——andwe，willgiveyouyourchoiceofnice，light，outsiderooms——thevery，bestwehave。”

“You’reverykind，“saidCarrie，touchedbytheagent’sextreme，affability。”Ishouldliketocomeverymuch。Iwouldwantto，paywhatisright，however。Ishouldn’twantto——“

“Youneednottroubleaboutthatatall，“interruptedMr。

Withers。”Wecanarrangethattoyourentiresatisfactionatany，time。Ifthreedollarsadayissatisfactorytoyou，itwillbe，sotous。Allyouhavetodoistopaythatsumtotheclerkat，theendoftheweekormonth，justasyouwish，andhewillgive，youareceiptforwhattheroomswouldcostifchargedforatour，regularrates。”

Thespeakerpaused。

“Supposeyoucomeandlookattherooms，“headded。

“I’dbegladto，“saidCarrie，“butIhavearehearsalthis，morning。”

“Ididnotmeanatonce，“hereturned。”Anytimewilldo。Would，thisafternoonbeinconvenient？”

“Notatall，“saidCarrie。

SuddenlysherememberedLola，whowasoutatthetime。

“Ihavearoom-mate，“sheadded，“whowillhavetogowhereverI

do。Iforgotaboutthat。”

“Oh，verywell，“saidMr。Withers，blandly。”Itisforyouto，saywhomyouwantwithyou。AsIsay，allthatcanbearranged，tosuityourself。”

Hebowedandbackedtowardthedoor。

“Atfour，then，wemayexpectyou？”

“Yes，“saidCarrie。

“Iwillbetheretoshowyou，“andsoMr。Witherswithdrew。

AfterrehearsalCarrieinformedLola。

“Didtheyreally？”exclaimedthelatter，thinkingofthe，Wellingtonasagroupofmanagers。”Isn’tthatfine？Oh，jolly！

It’ssoswell。That’swherewedinedthatnightwewentwith，thosetwoCushingboys。Don’tyouknow？”

“Iremember，“saidCarrie。

“Oh，it’sasfineasitcanbe。”

“We’dbetterbegoingupthere，“observedCarrielaterinthe，afternoon。

TheroomswhichMr。WithersdisplayedtoCarrieandLolawere，threeandbath——asuiteontheparlourfloor。Theyweredonein，chocolateanddarkred，withrugsandhangingstomatch。Three，windowslookeddownintobusyBroadwayontheeast，threeintoa，sidestreetwhichcrossedthere。Thereweretwolovelybedrooms，setwithbrassandwhiteenamelbeds，whiteribbon-trimmedchairs，andchiffonierstomatch。Inthethirdroom，orparlour，wasa，piano，aheavypianolamp，withashadeofgorgeouspattern，a，librarytable，severalhugeeasyrockers，somedadobookshelves，andagiltcuriocase，filledwithoddities。Pictureswereupon，thewalls，softTurkishpillowsuponthedivanfootstoolsof，brownplushuponthefloor。Suchaccommodationswouldordinarily，costahundreddollarsaweek。

“Oh，lovely！”exclaimedLola，walkingabout。

“Itiscomfortable，“saidCarrie，whowasliftingalacecurtain，andlookingdownintocrowdedBroadway。

Thebathwasahandsomeaffair，doneinwhiteenamel，witha，large，blue-borderedstonetubandnickeltrimmings。Itwas，brightandcommodious，withabevelledmirrorsetinthewallat，oneendandincandescentlightsarrangedinthreeplaces。

“Doyoufindthesesatisfactory？”observedMr。Withers。

“Oh，very，“answeredCarrie。

“Well，then，anytimeyoufinditconvenienttomovein，theyare，ready。Theboywillbringyouthekeysatthedoor。”

Carrienotedtheelegantlycarpetedanddecoratedhall，the，marbledlobby，andshowywaiting-room。Itwassuchaplaceas，shehadoftendreamedofoccupying。

“Iguesswe’dbettermoverightaway，don’tyouthinkso？”she，observedtoLola，thinkingofthecommonplacechamberin，SeventeenthStreet。

“Oh，byallmeans，“saidthelatter。

Thenextdayhertrunksleftforthenewabode。

Dressing，afterthematineeonWednesday，aknockcameather，dressing-roomdoor。

Carrielookedatthecardhandedbytheboyandsufferedashock，ofsurprise。

“TellherI’llberightout，“shesaidsoftly。Then，lookingat，thecard，added：“Mrs。Vance。”

“Why，youlittlesinner，“thelatterexclaimed，asshesawCarrie，comingtowardheracrossthenowvacantstage。”Howintheworld，didthishappen？”

Carrielaughedmerrily。Therewasnotraceofembarrassmentin，herfriend’smanner。Youwouldhavethoughtthatthelong，separationhadcomeaboutaccidentally。

“Idon’tknow，“returnedCarrie，warming，inspiteofherfirst，troubledfeelings，towardthishandsome，good-naturedyoung，matron。

“Well，youknow，IsawyourpictureintheSundaypaper，butyour，namethrewmeoff。Ithoughtitmustbeyouorsomebodythat，lookedjustlikeyou，andIsaid：’Well，now，Iwillgoright，downthereandsee。’Iwasnevermoresurprisedinmylife。How，areyou，anyway？”

“Oh，verywell，“returnedCarrie。”Howhaveyoubeen？”

“Fine。Butaren’tyouasuccess！Dear，oh！Allthepapers，talkingaboutyou。Ishouldthinkyouwouldbejusttooproudto，breathe。Iwasalmostafraidtocomebackherethisafternoon。”

“Oh，nonsense，“saidCarrie，blushing。”YouknowI’dbegladto，seeyou。”

“Well，anyhow，hereyouare。Can’tyoucomeupandtakedinner，withmenow？Whereareyoustopping？”

“AttheWellington，“saidCarrie，whopermittedherselfatouch，ofprideintheacknowledgment。

“Oh，areyou？”exclaimedtheother，uponwhomthenamewasnot，withoutitspropereffect。

Tactfully，Mrs。VanceavoidedthesubjectofHurstwood，ofwhom，shecouldnothelpthinking。NodoubtCarriehadlefthim。That，muchshesurmised。

“Oh，Idon’tthinkIcan，“saidCarrie，“to-night。Ihaveso，littletime。Imustbebackhereby7。30。Won’tyoucomeand，dinewithme？”

“I’dbedelighted，butIcan’tto-night，“saidMrs。Vance，studyingCarrie’sfineappearance。Thelatter’sgoodfortune，madeherseemmorethaneverworthyanddelightfulintheothers，eyes。”Ipromisedfaithfullytobehomeatsix。”Glancingatthe，smallgoldwatchpinnedtoherbosom，sheadded：“Imustbe，going，too。Tellmewhenyou’recomingup，ifatall。”

“Why，anytimeyoulike，“saidCarrie。

“Well，to-morrowthen。I’mlivingattheChelseanow。”

“Movedagain？”exclaimedCarrie，laughing。

“Yes。YouknowIcan’tstaysixmonthsinoneplace。Ijust，havetomove。Remembernow——half-pastfive。”

“Iwon’tforget，“saidCarrie，castingaglanceatherasshe，wentaway。Thenitcametoherthatshewasasgoodasthis，womannow——perhapsbetter。Somethingintheother’ssolicitude，andinterestmadeherfeelasifsheweretheonetocondescend。

Now，asoneachprecedingday，letterswerehandedherbythe，doormanattheCasino。Thiswasafeaturewhichhadrapidly，developedsinceMonday。Whattheycontainedshewellknew。MASH

NOTESwereoldaffairsintheirmildestform。Sheremembered，havingreceivedherfirstonefarbackinColumbiaCity。Since，then，asachorusgirl，shehadreceivedothers——gentlemenwho，prayedforanengagement。Theywerecommonsportbetweenherand，Lola，whoreceivedsomealso。Theybothfrequentlymadelightof，them。

Now，however，theycamethickandfast。Gentlemenwithfortunes，didnothesitatetonote，asanadditiontotheirownamiable，collectionofvirtues，thattheyhadtheirhorsesandcarriages。

Thusone：

“Ihaveamillioninmyownright。Icouldgiveyouevery，luxury。Thereisn’tanythingyoucouldaskforthatyoucouldn’t，have。Isaythis，notbecauseIwanttospeakofmymoney，but，becauseIloveyouandwishtogratifyyoureverydesire。Itis，lovethatpromptsmetowrite。Willyounotgivemeonehalf-

hourinwhichtopleadmycause？”

SuchoftheselettersascamewhileCarriewasstillinthe，SeventeenthStreetplacewerereadwithmoreinterest——though，neverdelight——thanthosewhicharrivedaftershewasinstalled，inherluxuriousquartersattheWellington。Eventhereher，vanity——orthatself-appreciationwhich，initsmorerabidform，iscalledvanity——wasnotsufficientlycloyedtomakethese，thingswearisome。Adulation，beingnewinanyform，pleasedher。

Onlyshewassufficientlywisetodistinguishbetweenherold，conditionandhernewone。Shehadnothadfameormoneybefore。

Nowtheyhadcome。Shehadnothadadulationandaffectionate，propositionsbefore。Nowtheyhadcome。Wherefore？Shesmiled，tothinkthatmenshouldsuddenlyfindhersomuchmore，attractive。Intheleastwayitincitedhertocoolnessand，indifference。

“Dolookhere，“sheremarkedtoLola。”Seewhatthismansays：

’Ifyouwillonlydeigntograntmeonehalf-hour，’“she，repeated，withanimitationoflanguor。”Theidea。Aren’tmen，silly？”

“Hemusthavelotsofmoney，thewayhetalks，“observedLola。

“That’swhattheyallsay，“saidCarrie，innocently。

“Whydon’tyouseehim，“suggestedLola，“andhearwhathehasto，say？”

“IndeedIwon’t，“saidCarrie。”Iknowwhathe’dsay。Idon’t，wanttomeetanybodythatway。”

Lolalookedatherwithbig，merryeyes。

“Hecouldn’thurtyou，“shereturned。”Youmighthavesomefun，withhim。”

Carrieshookherhead。

“You’reawfullyqueer，“returnedthelittle，blue-eyedsoldier。

Thuscrowdedfortune。Forthiswholeweek，thoughherlarge，salaryhadnotyetarrived，itwasasiftheworldunderstoodand，trustedher。Withoutmoney——ortherequisitesum，atleast——she，enjoyedtheluxurieswhichmoneycouldbuy。Forherthedoorsof，fineplacesseemedtoopenquitewithouttheasking。These，palatialchambers，howmarvellouslytheycametoher。The，elegantapartmentsofMrs。VanceintheChelsea——thesewerehers。

Mensentflowers，lovenotes，offersoffortune。Andstillher，dreamsranriot。Theonehundredandfifty！theonehundredand，fifty！WhatadoortoanAladdin’scaveitseemedtobe。Each，day，herheadalmostturnedbydevelopments，herfanciesofwhat，herfortunemustbe，withamplemoney，grewandmultiplied。She，conceivedofdelightswhichwerenot——sawlightsofjoythat，neverwereonlandorsea。Then，atlast，afteraworldof，anticipation，cameherfirstinstallmentofonehundredandfifty，dollars。

Itwaspaidtoheringreenbacks——threetwenties，sixtens，and，sixfives。Thuscollecteditmadeaveryconvenientroll。It，wasaccompaniedbyasmileandasalutationfromthecashierwho，paidit。

“Ah，yes，“saidthelatter，whensheapplied;“MissMadenda——one，hundredandfiftydollars。Quiteasuccesstheshowseemsto，havemade。”

“Yes，indeed，“returnedCarrie。

Rightaftercameoneoftheinsignificantmembersofthecompany，andsheheardthechangedtoneofaddress。

“Howmuch？”saidthesamecashier，sharply。One，suchasshehad，onlyrecentlybeen，waswaitingforhermodestsalary。Ittook，herbacktothefewweeksinwhichshehadcollected——orrather，hadreceived——almostwiththeairofadomestic，four-fiftyper，weekfromalordlyforemaninashoefactory——amanwho，in，distributingtheenvelopes，hadthemannerofaprincedolingout，favourstoaservilegroupofpetitioners。Sheknewthatoutin，Chicagothisverydaythesamefactorychamberwasfullofpoor，homely-cladgirlsworkinginlonglinesatclatteringmachines;

thatatnoontheywouldeatamiserablelunchinahalf-hour;

thatSaturdaytheywouldgather，astheyhadwhenshewasoneof，them，andacceptthesmallpayforworkahundredtimesharder，thanshewasnowdoing。Oh，itwassoeasynow！Theworldwasso，rosyandbright。Shefeltsothrilledthatshemustneedswalk，backtothehoteltothink，wonderingwhatsheshoulddo。

Itdoesnottakemoneylongtomakeplainitsimpotence，providingthedesiresareintherealmofaffection。Withher，onehundredandfiftyinhand，Carriecouldthinkofnothing，particularlytodo。Initself，asatangible，apparentthing，whichshecouldtouchandlookupon，itwasadivertingthingfor，afewdays，butthissoonpassed。Herhotelbilldidnotrequire，itsuse。Herclotheshadforsometimebeenwhollysatisfactory。

Anotherdayortwoandshewouldreceiveanotherhundredand，fifty。Itbegantoappearasifthiswerenotsostartlingly，necessarytomaintainherpresentstate。Ifshewantedtodo，anythingbetterormovehighershemusthavemore——agreatdeal，more。

Nowacriticcalledtogetuponeofthosetinselinterviews，whichshinewithcleverobservations，showupthewitofcritics，displaythefollyofcelebrities，anddivertthepublic。He，likedCarrie，andsaidso，publicly——adding，however，thatshe，wasmerelypretty，good-natured，andlucky。Thiscutlikea，knife。The“Herald，“gettingupanentertainmentforthebenefit，ofitsfreeicefund，didherthehonourtobeghertoappear，alongwithcelebritiesfornothing。Shewasvisitedbyayoung，author，whohadaplaywhichhethoughtshecouldproduce。Alas，shecouldnotjudge。Ithurthertothinkit。Thenshefound，shemustputhermoneyinthebankforsafety，andsomoving，finallyreachedtheplacewhereitstruckherthatthedoorto，life’sperfectenjoymentwasnotopen。

Graduallyshebegantothinkitwasbecauseitwassummer。

Nothingwasgoingonmuchsavesuchentertainmentsastheonein，whichshewasthestar。FifthAvenuewasboardedupwherethe，richhaddesertedtheirmansions。MadisonAvenuewaslittle，better。Broadwaywasfullofloafingthespiansinsearchofnext，season’sengagements。Thewholecitywasquietandhernights，weretakenupwithherwork。Hencethefeelingthattherewas，littletodo。

“Idon’tknow，“shesaidtoLolaoneday，sittingatoneofthe，windowswhichlookeddownintoBroadway，“Igetlonely;don’t，you？”

“No，“saidLola，“notveryoften。Youwon’tgoanywhere。That’s，what’sthematterwithyou。”

“WherecanIgo？”

“Why，there’relotsofplaces，“returnedLola，whowasthinking，ofherownlightsometourneyswiththegayyouths。”Youwon’tgo，withanybody。”

“Idon’twanttogowiththesepeoplewhowritetome。Iknow，whatkindtheyare。”

“Yououghtn’ttobelonely，“saidLola，thinkingofCarrie’s，success。”There’relotswouldgivetheirearstobeinyour，shoes。”

Carrielookedoutagainatthepassingcrowd。

“Idon’tknow，“shesaid。

Unconsciouslyheridlehandswerebeginningtoweary。

ChapterXLV

CURIOUSSHIFTSOFTHEPOOR

ThegloomyHurstwood，sittinginhischeaphotel，wherehehad，takenrefugewithseventydollars——thepriceofhisfurniture——

betweenhimandnothing，sawahotsummeroutandacoolfallin，reading。Hewasnotwhollyindifferenttothefactthathis，moneywasslippingaway。Asfiftycentsafterfiftycentswere，paidoutforaday’slodginghebecameuneasy，andfinallytooka，cheaperroom——thirty-fivecentsaday——tomakehismoneylast，longer。FrequentlyhesawnoticesofCarrie。Herpicturewasin，the“World“onceortwice，andanold“Herald“hefoundina，chairinformedhimthatshehadrecentlyappearedwithsome，othersatabenefitforsomethingorother。Hereadthesethings，withmingledfeelings。Eachoneseemedtoputherfartherand，fartherawayintoarealmwhichbecamemoreimposingasit，recededfromhim。Onthebillboards，too，hesawapretty，poster，showingherastheQuakerMaid，demureanddainty。More，thanoncehestoppedandlookedatthese，gazingatthepretty，faceinasullensortofway。Hisclotheswereshabby，andhe，presentedamarkedcontrasttoallthatshenowseemedtobe。

Somehow，solongasheknewshewasattheCasino，thoughhehad，neveranyintentionofgoingnearher，therewasasubconscious，comfortforhim——hewasnotquitealone。Theshowseemedsucha，fixturethat，afteramonthortwo，hebegantotakeitfor，grantedthatitwasstillrunning。InSeptemberitwentonthe，roadandhedidnotnoticeit。Whenallbuttwentydollarsof，hismoneywasgone，hemovedtoafifteen-centlodging-housein，theBowery，wheretherewasabarelounging-roomfilledwith，tablesandbenchesaswellassomechairs。Herehispreference，wastoclosehiseyesanddreamofotherdays，ahabitwhichgrew，uponhim。Itwasnotsleepatfirst，butamentalhearkening，backtoscenesandincidentsinhisChicagolife。Asthepresent，becamedarker，thepastgrewbrighter，andallthatconcernedit，stoodinrelief。

Hewasunconsciousofjusthowmuchthishabithadholdofhim，untilonedayhefoundhislipsrepeatinganoldanswerhehad，madetooneofhisfriends。TheywereinFitzgeraldandMoy’s。

Itwasasifhestoodinthedoorofhiselegantlittleoffice，comfortablydressed，talkingtoSagarMorrisonaboutthevalueof，SouthChicagorealestateinwhichthelatterwasaboutto，invest。

“Howwouldyouliketocomeinonthatwithme？”heheard，Morrisonsay。

“Notme，“heanswered，justashehadyearsbefore。”Ihavemy，handsfullnow。”

Themovementofhislipsarousedhim。Hewonderedwhetherhehad，reallyspoken。Thenexttimehenoticedanythingofthesorthe，reallydidtalk。

“Whydon’tyoujump，youbloodyfool？”hewassaying。”Jump！”

ItwasafunnyEnglishstoryhewastellingtoacompanyof，actors。Evenashisvoicerecalledhim，hewassmiling。A

crustyoldcodger，sittingnearby，seemeddisturbed;atleast，hestaredinamostpointedway。Hurstwoodstraightenedup。The，humourofthememoryfledinaninstantandhefeltashamed。For，relief，helefthischairandstrolledoutintothestreets。

Oneday，lookingdownthead。columnsofthe“EveningWorld，“he，sawwhereanewplaywasattheCasino。Instantly，hecametoa，mentalhalt。Carriehadgone！Herememberedseeingaposterof，heronlyyesterday，butnodoubtitwasoneleftuncoveredbythe，newsigns。Curiously，thisfactshookhimup。Hehadalmostto，admitthatsomehowhewasdependinguponherbeinginthecity。

Nowshewasgone。Hewonderedhowthisimportantfacthad，skippedhim。Goodnessknowswhenshewouldbebacknow。

Impelledbyanervousfear，heroseandwentintothedingyhall，wherehecountedhisremainingmoney，unseen。Therewerebutten，dollarsinall。

Hewonderedhowalltheseotherlodging-housepeoplearoundhim，gotalong。Theydidn’tseemtodoanything。Perhapsthey，begged——unquestionablytheydid。Manywasthedimehehadgiven，tosuchastheyinhisday。Hehadseenothermenaskingfor，moneyonthestreets。Maybehecouldgetsomethatway。There，washorrorinthisthought。

Sittinginthelodging-houseroom，hecametohislastfifty，cents。Hehadsavedandcounteduntilhishealthwasaffected。

Hisstoutnesshadgone。Withit，eventhesemblanceofafitin，hisclothes。Nowhedecidedhemustdosomething，and，walking，about，sawanotherdaygoby，bringinghimdowntohislast，twentycents——notenoughtoeatforthemorrow。

Summoningallhiscourage，hecrossedtoBroadwayanduptothe，BroadwayCentralhotel。Withinablockhehalted，undecided。A

big，heavy-facedporterwasstandingatoneoftheside，entrances，lookingout。Hurstwoodpurposedtoappealtohim。

Walkingstraightup，hewasuponhimbeforehecouldturnaway。

“Myfriend，“hesaid，recognisingeveninhisplighttheman’s，inferiority，“isthereanythingaboutthishotelthatIcouldget，todo？”

Theporterstaredathimthewhilehecontinuedtotalk。

“I’moutofworkandoutofmoneyandI’vegottogetsomething，——

itdoesn’tmatterwhat。Idon’tcaretotalkaboutwhatI’ve，been，butifyou’dtellmehowtogetsomethingtodo，I’dbe，muchobligedtoyou。Itwouldn’tmatterifitonlylastedafew，daysjustnow。I’vegottohavesomething。”

Theporterstillgazed，tryingtolookindifferent。Then，seeing，thatHurstwoodwasabouttogoon，hesaid：

“I’venothingtodowithit。You’llhavetoaskinside。”

Curiously，thisstirredHurstwoodtofurthereffort。

“Ithoughtyoumighttellme。”

Thefellowshookhisheadirritably。

Insidewenttheex-managerandstraighttoanofficeoffthe，clerk’sdesk。Oneofthemanagersofthehotelhappenedtobe，there。Hurstwoodlookedhimstraightintheeye。

“Couldyougivemesomethingtodoforafewdays？”hesaid。

“I’minapositionwhereIhavetogetsomethingatonce。”

Thecomfortablemanagerlookedathim，asmuchastosay：“Well，Ishouldjudgeso。”

“Icamehere，“explainedHurstwood，nervously，“becauseI’vebeen，amanagermyselfinmyday。I’vehadbadluckinawaybutI’m，notheretotellyouthat。Iwantsomethingtodo，ifonlyfora，week。”

Themanimaginedhesawafeverishgleamintheapplicant’seye。

“Whathoteldidyoumanage？”heinquired。

“Itwasn’tahotel，“saidHurstwood。”Iwasmanagerof，FitzgeraldandMoy’splaceinChicagoforfifteenyears。”

“Isthatso？”saidthehotelman。”Howdidyoucometogetout，ofthat？”

ThefigureofHurstwoodwasrathersurprisingincontrasttothe，fact。

“Well，byfoolishnessofmyown。Itisn’tanythingtotalkabout，now。Youcouldfindoutifyouwantedto。I’m’broke’nowand，ifyouwillbelieveme，Ihaven’teatenanythingto-day。”

Thehotelmanwasslightlyinterestedinthisstory。Hecould，hardlytellwhattodowithsuchafigure，andyetHurstwood’s，earnestnessmadehimwishtodosomething。

“CallOlsen，“hesaid，turningtotheclerk。

Inreplytoabellandadisappearinghall-boy，Olsen，thehead，porter，appeared。

“Olsen，“saidthemanager，“isthereanythingdownstairsyou，couldfindforthismantodo？I’dliketogivehimsomething。”

“Idon’tknow，sir，“saidOlsen。”Wehaveaboutallthehelpwe，need。IthinkIcouldfindsomething，sir，though，ifyoulike。”

“Do。TakehimtothekitchenandtellWilsontogivehim，somethingtoeat。”

“Allright，sir，“saidOlsen。

Hurstwoodfollowed。Outofthemanager’ssight，thehead，porter’smannerchanged。

“Idon’tknowwhatthedevilthereistodo，“heobserved。

Hurstwoodsaidnothing。Tohimthebigtrunkhustlerwasa，subjectforprivatecontempt。

“You’retogivethismansomethingtoeat，“heobservedtothe，cook。

ThelatterlookedHurstwoodover，andseeingsomethingkeenand，intellectualinhiseyes，said：

“Well，sitdownoverthere。”

ThuswasHurstwoodinstalledintheBroadwayCentral，butnotfor，long。Hewasinnoshapeormoodtodothescrubworkthat，existsaboutthefoundationofeveryhotel。Nothingbetter，offering，hewassettoaidthefireman，toworkaboutthe，basement，todoanythingandeverythingthatmightoffer。

Porters，cooks，firemen，clerks——allwereoverhim。Moreoverhis，appearancedidnotpleasetheseindividuals——histemperwastoo，lonely——andtheymadeitdisagreeableforhim。

Withthestolidityandindifferenceofdespair，however，he，endureditall，sleepinginanatticattheroofofthehouse，eatingwhatthecookgavehim，acceptingafewdollarsaweek，whichhetriedtosave。Hisconstitutionwasinnoshapeto，endure。

OnedaythefollowingFebruaryhewassentonanerrandtoa，largecoalcompany’soffice。Ithadbeensnowingandthawingand，thestreetsweresloppy。Hesoakedhisshoesinhisprogressand，camebackfeelingdullandweary。Allthenextdayhefelt，unusuallydepressedandsataboutasmuchaspossible，tothe，irritationofthosewhoadmiredenergyinothers。

Intheafternoonsomeboxesweretobemovedtomakeroomfornew，culinarysupplies。Hewasorderedtohandleatruck。

Encounteringabigbox，hecouldnotliftit。

“What’sthematterthere？”saidtheheadporter。”Can’tyou，handleit？”

Hewasstrainingtoliftit，butnowhequit。

“No，“hesaid，weakly。

Themanlookedathimandsawthathewasdeathlypale。

“Notsick，areyou？”heasked。

“IthinkIam，“returnedHurstwood。

“Well，you’dbettergositdown，then。”

Thishedid，butsoongrewrapidlyworse。Itseemedallhecould，dotocrawltohisroom，whereheremainedforaday。

“ThatmanWheeler’ssick，“reportedoneofthelackeystothe，nightclerk。

“What’sthematterwithhim？”

“Idon’tknow。He’sgotahighfever。”

Thehotelphysicianlookedathim。

“BettersendhimtoBellevue，“herecommended。”He’sgot，pneumonia。”

Accordingly，hewascartedaway。

Inthreeweekstheworstwasover，butitwasnearlythefirstof，Maybeforehisstrengthpermittedhimtobeturnedout。Thenhe，wasdischarged。

Nomoreweaklylookingobjecteverstrolledoutintothespring，sunshinethantheoncehale，lustymanager。Allhiscorpulency，hadfled。Hisfacewasthinandpale，hishandswhite，hisbody，flabby。Clothesandall，heweighedbutonehundredandthirty-

fivepounds。Someoldgarmentshadbeengivenhim——acheapbrown，coatandmisfitpairoftrousers。Alsosomechangeandadvice。

Hewastoldtoapplytothecharities。

AgainheresortedtotheBowerylodging-house，broodingover，wheretolook。Fromthisitwasbutasteptobeggary。

“Whatcanamando？”hesaid。”Ican’tstarve。”

HisfirstapplicationwasinsunnySecondAvenue。Awell-dressed，mancameleisurelystrollingtowardhimoutofStuyvesantPark。

Hurstwoodnervedhimselfandsidlednear。

“Wouldyoumindgivingmetencents？”hesaid，directly。”I’min，apositionwhereImustasksomeone。”

Themanscarcelylookedathim，fishedinhisvestpocketand，tookoutadime。

“Thereyouare，“hesaid。

“Muchobliged，“saidHurstwood，softly，buttheotherpaidno，moreattentiontohim。

Satisfiedwithhissuccessandyetashamedofhissituation，he，decidedthathewouldonlyaskfortwenty-fivecentsmore，since，thatwouldbesufficient。Hestrolledaboutsizinguppeople，butitwaslongbeforejusttherightfaceandsituationarrived。

Whenheasked，hewasrefused。Shockedbythisresult，hetook，anhourtorecoverandthenaskedagain。Thistimeanickelwas，givenhim。Bythemostwatchfulefforthedidgettwentycents，more，butitwaspainful。

Thenextdayheresortedtothesameeffort，experiencinga，varietyofrebuffsandoneortwogenerousreceptions。Atlast，itcrossedhismindthattherewasascienceoffaces，andthata，mancouldpicktheliberalcountenanceifhetried。

Itwasnopleasuretohim，however，thisstoppingofpassers-by。

Hesawonemantakenupforitandnowtroubledlestheshouldbe，arrested。Nevertheless，hewenton，vaguelyanticipatingthat，indefinitesomethingwhichisalwaysbetter。

Itwaswithasenseofsatisfaction，then，thathesawannounced，onemorningthereturnoftheCasinoCompany，“withMissCarrie，Madenda。”Hehadthoughtofheroftenenoughindayspast。How，successfulshewas——howmuchmoneyshemusthave！Evennow，however，ittookasevererunofilllucktodecidehimtoappeal，toher。Hewastrulyhungrybeforehesaid：

“I’llaskher。Shewon’trefusemeafewdollars。”

Accordingly，heheadedfortheCasinooneafternoon，passingit，severaltimesinanefforttolocatethestageentrance。Thenhe，satinBryantPark，ablockaway，waiting。”Shecan’trefuseto，helpmealittle，“hekeptsayingtohimself。

Beginningwithhalf-pastsix，hehoveredlikeashadowaboutthe，Thirty-ninthStreetentrance，pretendingalwaystobeahurrying，pedestrianandyetfearfullestheshouldmisshisobject。He，wasslightlynervous，too，nowthattheeventfulhourhad，arrived;butbeingweakandhungry，hisabilitytosufferwas，modified。Atlasthesawthattheactorswerebeginningto，arrive，andhisnervoustensionincreased，untilitseemedasif，hecouldnotstandmuchmore。

OncehethoughthesawCarriecomingandmovedforward，onlyto，seethathewasmistaken。

“Shecan’tbelong，now，“hesaidtohimself，halffearingto，encounterherandequallydepressedatthethoughtthatshemight，havegoneinbyanotherway。Hisstomachwassoemptythatit，ached。

Individualafterindividualpassedhim，nearlyallwelldressed，almostallindifferent。Hesawcoachesrollingby，gentlemen，passingwithladies——theevening’smerrimentwasbeginningin，thisregionoftheatresandhotels。

Suddenlyacoachrolledupandthedriverjumpeddowntoopenthe，door。BeforeHurstwoodcouldact，twoladiesflouncedacrossthe，broadwalkanddisappearedinthestagedoor。Hethoughthesaw，Carrie，butitwassounexpected，soelegantandfaraway，he，couldhardlytell。Hewaitedawhilelonger，growingfeverish，withwant，andthenseeingthatthestagedoornolongeropened，andthatamerryaudiencewasarriving，heconcludeditmusthave，beenCarrieandturnedaway。

“Lord，“hesaid，hasteningoutofthestreetintowhichthemore，fortunatewerepouring，“I’vegottogetsomething。”

Atthathour，whenBroadwayiswonttoassumeitsmost，interestingaspect，apeculiarindividualinvariablytookhis，standatthecornerofTwenty-sixthStreetandBroadway——aspot，whichisalsointersectedbyFifthAvenue。Thiswasthehour，whenthetheatreswerejustbeginningtoreceivetheirpatrons。

Firesignsannouncingthenight’samusementsblazedonevery，hand。Cabsandcarriages，theirlampsgleaminglikeyelloweyes，patteredby。Couplesandpartiesofthreeandfourfreely，mingledinthecommoncrowd，whichpouredbyinathickstream，laughingandjesting。OnFifthAvenuewereloungers——afew，wealthystrollers，agentlemanineveningdresswithhisladyon，hisarm，someclub-menpassingfromonesmoking-roomtoanother。

Acrossthewaythegreathotelsshowedahundredgleaming，windows，theircafesandbilliard-roomsfilledwitha，comfortable，well-dressed，andpleasure-lovingthrong。Allabout，wasthenight，pulsatingwiththethoughtsofpleasureand，exhilaration——thecuriousenthusiasmofagreatcitybentupon，findingjoyinathousanddifferentways。

Thisuniqueindividualwasnolessthananex-soldierturned，religionist，who，havingsufferedthewhipsandprivationsofour，peculiarsocialsystem，hadconcludedthathisdutytotheGod，whichheconceivedlayinaidinghisfellow-man。Theformofaid，whichhechosetoadministerwasentirelyoriginalwithhimself。

Itconsistedofsecuringabedforallsuchhomelesswayfarersas，shouldapplytohimatthisparticularspot，thoughhehad，scarcelythewherewithaltoprovideacomfortablehabitationfor，himself。Takinghisplaceamidthislightsomeatmosphere，he，wouldstand，hisstockyfigurecloakedinagreatcapeovercoat，hisheadprotectedbyabroadslouchhat，awaitingtheapplicants，whohadinvariouswayslearnedthenatureofhischarity。Fora，whilehewouldstandalone，gazinglikeanyidleruponanever-

fascinatingscene。Ontheeveninginquestion，apoliceman，passingsalutedhimas“captain，“inafriendlyway。Anurchin，whohadfrequentlyseenhimbefore，stoppedtogaze。Allothers，tookhimfornothingoutoftheordinary，saveinthematterof，dress，andconceivedofhimasastrangerwhistlingandidling，forhisownamusement。

Asthefirsthalf-hourwaned，certaincharactersappeared。Here，andthereinthepassingcrowdsonemightsee，nowandthen，a，loitereredginginterestedlynear。Aslouchyfigurecrossedthe，oppositecornerandglancedfurtivelyinhisdirection。Another，camedownFifthAvenuetothecornerofTwenty-sixthStreet，took，ageneralsurvey，andhobbledoffagain。Twoorthreenoticeable，BowerytypesedgedalongtheFifthAvenuesideofMadisonSquare，butdidnotventureover。Thesoldier，inhiscapeovercoat，walkedashortlineoftenfeetathiscorner，toandfro，indifferentlywhistling。

Asnineo’clockapproached，someofthehubbuboftheearlier，hourpassed。Theatmosphereofthehotelswasnotsoyouthful。

Theair，too，wascolder。Oneveryhandcuriousfigureswere，moving——watchersandpeepers，withoutanimaginarycircle，which，theyseemedafraidtoenter——adozeninall。Presently，withthe，arrivalofakeenersenseofcold，onefigurecameforward。It，crossedBroadwayfromouttheshadowofTwenty-sixthStreet，and，inahalting，circuitousway，arrivedclosetothewaiting，figure。Therewassomethingshamefacedordiffidentaboutthe，movement，asiftheintentionweretoconcealanyideaof，stoppinguntiltheverylastmoment。Thensuddenly，closetothe，soldier，camethehalt。

Thecaptainlookedinrecognition，buttherewasnoespecial，greeting。Thenewcomernoddedslightlyandmurmuredsomething，likeonewhowaitsforgifts。Theothersimplymotionedto-ward，theedgeofthewalk。

“Standoverthere，“hesaid。

Bythisthespellwasbroken。Evenwhilethesoldierresumedhis，short，solemnwalk，otherfiguresshuffledforward。Theydidnot，somuchasgreettheleader，butjoinedtheone，snifflingand，hitchingandscrapingtheirfeet。

“Gold，ain’tit？”

“I’mgladwinter’sover。”

“Looksasthoughitmightrain。”

Themotleycompanyhadincreasedtoten。Oneortwokneweach，otherandconversed。Othersstoodoffafewfeet，notwishingto，beinthecrowdandyetnotcountedout。Theywerepeevish，crusty，silent，eyingnothinginparticularandmovingtheir，feet。

Therewouldhavebeentalkingsoon，butthesoldiergavethemno，chance。Countingsufficienttobegin，hecameforward。

“Beds，eh，allofyou？”

Therewasageneralshuffleandmurmurofapproval。

“Well，lineuphere。I’llseewhatIcando。Ihaven’tacent，myself。”

Theyfellintoasortofbroken，raggedline。Onemightsee，now，someofthechiefcharacteristicsbycontrast。Therewasa，woodenlegintheline。Hatswerealldrooping，agroupthat，wouldillbecomeasecond-handHesterStreetbasementcollection。

Trouserswereallwarpedandfrayedatthebottomandcoatsworn，andfaded。Intheglareofthestorelights，someofthefaces，lookeddryandchalky;otherswereredwithblotchesandpuffed，inthecheeksandundertheeyes;oneortwowererawbonedand，remindedoneofrailroadhands。Afewspectatorscamenear，drawnbytheseeminglyconferringgroup，thenmoreandmore，and，quicklytherewasapushing，gapingcrowd。Someoneintheline，begantotalk。

“Silence！”exclaimedthecaptain。”Now，then，gentlemen，these，menarewithoutbeds。Theyhavetohavesomeplacetosleepto-

night。Theycan’tlieoutinthestreets。Ineedtwelvecents，toputoneofthemtobed。Whowillgiveittome？”

Noreply。

“Well，we’llhavetowaithere，boys，untilsomeonedoes。

Twelvecentsisn’tsoverymuchforoneman。”

“Here’sfifteen，“exclaimedayoungman，peeringforwardwith，strainedeyes。”It’sallIcanafford。”

“Allright。NowIhavefifteen。Stepoutoftheline，“and，seizingonebytheshoulder，thecaptainmarchedhimoffalittle，wayandstoodhimupalone。

Comingback，heresumedhisplaceandbeganagain。

“Ihavethreecentsleft。Thesemenmustbeputtobedsomehow。

Thereare“——counting——“one，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，ten，eleven，twelvemen。Ninecentsmorewillput，thenextmantobed;givehimagood，comfortablebedforthe，night。Igorightalongandlookafterthatmyself。Whowill，givemeninecents？”

Oneofthewatchers，thistimeamiddle-agedman，handedhima，five-centpiece。

“Now，Ihaveeightcents。Fourmorewillgivethismanabed。

Come，gentlemen。Wearegoingveryslowthisevening。Youall，havegoodbeds。Howaboutthese？”

“Hereyouare，“remarkedabystander，puttingacoinintohis，hand。

“That，“saidthecaptain，lookingatthecoin，“paysfortwobeds，fortwomenandgivesmefiveonthenextone。Whowillgiveme，sevencentsmore？”

“Iwill，“saidavoice。

ComingdownSixthAvenuethisevening，Hurstwoodchancedtocross，eastthroughTwenty-sixthStreettowardThirdAvenue。Hewas，whollydisconsolateinspirit，hungrytowhathedeemedanalmost，mortalextent，weary，anddefeated。HowshouldhegetatCarrie，now？Itwouldbeelevenbeforetheshowwasover。Ifshecamein，acoach，shewouldgoawayinone。Hewouldneedtointerrupt，undermosttryingcircumstances。Worstofall，hewashungryand，weary，andatbestawholedaymustintervene，forhehadnot，hearttotryagainto-night。Hehadnofoodandnobed。

WhenhenearedBroadway，henoticedthecaptain’sgatheringof，wanderers，butthinkingittobetheresultofastreetpreacher，orsomepatentmedicinefakir，wasabouttopasson。However，in，crossingthestreettowardMadisonSquarePark，henoticedthe，lineofmenwhosebedswerealreadysecured，stretchingoutfrom，themainbodyofthecrowd。Intheglareoftheneighbouring，electriclightherecognisedatypeofhisownkind——thefigures，whomhesawaboutthestreetsandinthelodging-houses，drifting，inmindandbodylikehimself。Hewonderedwhatitcouldbeand，turnedback。

Therewasthecaptaincurtlypleadingasbefore。Heheardwith，astonishmentandasenseofrelieftheoft-repeatedwords：“These，menmusthaveabed。”Beforehimwasthelineofunfortunates，whosebedswereyettobehad，andseeinganewcomerquietlyedge，upandtakeapositionattheendoftheline，hedecidedtodo，likewise。Whatusetocontend？Hewaswearyto-night。Itwasa，simplewayoutofonedifficulty，atleast。To-morrow，maybe，he，woulddobetter。

Backofhim，wheresomeofthosewerewhosebedsweresafe，a，relaxedairwasapparent。Thestrainofuncertaintybeing，removed，heheardthemtalkingwithmoderatefreedomandsome，leaningtowardsociability。Politics，religion，thestateofthe，government，somenewspapersensations，andthemorenotorious，factstheworldover，foundmouthpiecesandauditorsthere。

Crackedandhuskyvoicespronouncedforciblyuponoddmatters。

Vagueandramblingobservationsweremadeinreply。

Thereweresquints，andleers，andsomedull，ox-likestaresfrom，thosewhoweretoodullortoowearytoconverse。

Standingtells。Hurstwoodbecamemorewearywaiting。Hethought，heshoulddropsoonandshiftedrestlesslyfromonefoottothe，other。Atlasthisturncame。Themanaheadhadbeenpaidfor，andgonetotheblessedlineofsuccess。Hewasnowfirst，and，alreadythecaptainwastalkingforhim。

“Twelvecents，gentlemen——twelvecentsputsthismantobed。He，wouldn’tstandhereinthecoldifhehadanyplacetogo。”

Hurstwoodswallowedsomethingthatrosetohisthroat。Hunger，andweaknesshadmadeacowardofhim。

“Hereyouare，“saidastranger，handingmoneytothecaptain。

Nowthelatterputakindlyhandontheex-manager’sshoulder。

“Lineupoverthere，“hesaid。

Oncethere，Hurstwoodbreathedeasier。Hefeltasiftheworld，werenotquitesobadwithsuchagoodmaninit。Othersseemed，tofeellikehimselfaboutthis。

“Captain’sagreatfeller，ain’the？”saidthemanahead——a，little，woebegone，helpless-lookingsortofindividual，who，lookedasthoughhehadeverbeenthesportandcareoffortune。

“Yes，“saidHurstwood，indifferently。

“Huh！there’salotbackthereyet，“saidamanfartherup，leaningoutandlookingbackattheapplicantsforwhomthe，captainwaspleading。

“Yes。Mustbeoverahundredto-night，“saidanother。

“Lookattheguyinthecab，“observedathird。

Acabhadstopped。Somegentlemanineveningdressreachedouta，billtothecaptain，whotookitwithsimplethanksandturned，awaytohisline。Therewasageneralcraningofnecksasthe，jewelinthewhiteshirtfrontsparkledandthecabmovedoff。

Eventhecrowdgapedinawe。

“Thatfixesupninemenforthenight，“saidthecaptain，countingoutasmanyofthelinenearhim。”Lineupoverthere。

Now，then，thereareonlyseven。Ineedtwelvecents。”

Moneycameslowly。Inthecourseoftimethecrowdthinnedout，toameagrehandful。FifthAvenue，saveforanoccasionalcabor，footpassenger，wasbare。Broadwaywasthinlypeopledwith，pedestrians。Onlynowandthenastrangerpassingnoticedthe，smallgroup，handedoutacoin，andwentaway，unheeding。

Thecaptainremainedstolidanddetermined。Hetalkedon，very，slowly，utteringthefewestwordsandwithacertainassurance，asthoughhecouldnotfail。

“Come;Ican’tstayouthereallnight。Thesemenaregetting，tiredandcold。Someonegivemefourcents。”

Therecameatimewhenhesaidnothingatall。Moneywashanded，him，andforeachtwelvecentshesingledoutamanandputhim，intheotherline。Thenhewalkedupanddownasbefore，looking，attheground。

Thetheatresletout。Firesignsdisappeared。Aclockstruck，eleven。Anotherhalf-hourandhewasdowntothelasttwomen。

“Come，now，“heexclaimedtoseveralcuriousobservers;“eighteen，centswillfixusallupforthenight。Eighteencents。Ihave，six。Somebodygivemethemoney。Remember，Ihavetogooverto，Brooklynyetto-night。BeforethatIhavetotakethesemendown，andputthemtobed。Eighteencents。”

Nooneresponded。Hewalkedtoandfro，lookingdownforseveral，minutes，occasionallysayingsoftly：“Eighteencents。”Itseemed，asifthispaltrysumwoulddelaythedesiredculminationlonger，thanalltheresthad。Hurstwood，buoyedupslightlybythelong，lineofwhichhewasapart，refrainedwithaneffortfrom，groaning，hewassoweak。

AtlastaladyinoperacapeandrustlingskirtscamedownFifth，Avenue，accompaniedbyherescort。Hurstwoodgazedwearily，remindedbyherbothofCarrieinhernewworldandofthetime，whenhehadescortedhisownwifeinlikemanner。

Whilehewasgazing，sheturnedand，lookingattheremarkable，company，sentherescortover。Hecame，holdingabillinhis，fingers，allelegantandgraceful。

“Hereyouare，“hesaid。

“Thanks，“saidthecaptain，turningtothetworemaining，applicants。”Nowwehavesomeforto-morrownight，“headded。

Therewithhelinedupthelasttwoandproceededtothehead，countingashewent。

“Onehundredandthirty-seven，“heannounced。”Now，boys，line，up。Rightdressthere。Wewon’tbemuchlongeraboutthis。

Steady，now。”

Heplacedhimselfattheheadandcalledout“Forward。”Hurstwood，movedwiththeline。AcrossFifthAvenue，throughMadisonSquare，bythewindingpaths，eastonTwenty-thirdStreet，anddownThird，Avenuewoundthelong，serpentinecompany。Midnightpedestrians，andloiterersstoppedandstaredasthecompanypassed。Chatting，policemen，atvariouscorners，staredindifferentlyornoddedto，theleader，whomtheyhadseenbefore。OnThirdAvenuethey，marched，aseeminglywearyway，toEighthStreet，wheretherewas，alodginghouse，closed，apparently，forthenight。Theywere，expected，however。

Outsideinthegloomtheystood，whiletheleaderparleyed，within。Thendoorsswungopenandtheywereinvitedinwitha，“Steady，now。”

Someonewasattheheadshowingrooms，sothattherewasno，delayforkeys。Toilingupthecreakystairs，Hurstwoodlooked，backandsawthecaptain，watching;thelastoneoftheline，beingincludedinhisbroadsolicitude。Thenhegatheredhis，cloakabouthimandstrolledoutintothenight。

“Ican’tstandmuchofthis，“saidHurstwood，whoselegsached，himpainfully，ashesatdownuponthemiserablebunkinthe，small，lightlesschamberallottedtohim。”I’vegottoeat，or，I’lldie。”

ChapterXLVI

STIRRINGTROUBLEDWATERS

PlayinginNewYorkoneeveningonthisherreturn，Carriewas，puttingthefinishingtouchestohertoiletbeforeleavingfor，thenight，whenacommotionnearthestagedoorcaughtherear。

Itincludedafamiliarvoice。

“Nevermind，now。IwanttoseeMissMadenda。”

“You’llhavetosendinyourcard。”

“Oh，comeoff！Here。”

Ahalf-dollarwaspassedover，andnowaknockcameather，dressing-roomdoor。

Carrieopenedit。

“Well，well！”saidDrouet。”Idoswear！Why，howareyou？Iknew，thatwasyouthemomentIsawyou。”

Carriefellbackapace，expectingamostembarrassing，conversation。

“Aren’tyougoingtoshakehandswithme？Well，you’readandy！

That’sallright，shakehands。”

Carrieputoutherhand，smiling，iffornothingmorethanthe，man’sexuberantgood-nature。Thougholder，hewasbutslightly，changed。Thesamefineclothes，thesamestockybody，thesame，rosycountenance。

“Thatfellowatthedoortheredidn’twanttoletmein，untilI

paidhim。Iknewitwasyou，allright。Say，you’vegotagreat，show。Youdoyourpartfine。Iknewyouwould。Ijusthappened，tobepassingtonightandthoughtI’ddropinforafewminutes。

Isawyournameontheprogramme，butIdidn’trememberituntil，youcameonthestage。Thenitstruckmeallatonce。Say，you，couldhaveknockedmedownwithafeather。That’sthesamename，youusedoutthereinChicago，isn’tit？”

“Yes，“answeredCarrie，mildly，overwhelmedbytheman’s，assurance。

“Iknewitwas，themomentIsawyou。Well，howhaveyoubeen，anyhow？”

“Oh，verywell，“saidCarrie，lingeringinherdressing-room。

Shewasratherdazedbytheassault。”Howhaveyoubeen？”

“Me？Oh，fine。I’mherenow。”

“Isthatso？”saidCarrie。

“Yes。I’vebeenhereforsixmonths。I’vegotchargeofa，branchhere。”

“Hownice！”

“Well，whendidyougoonthestage，anyhow？”inquiredDrouet。

“Aboutthreeyearsago，“saidCarrie。

“Youdon’tsayso！Well，sir，thisisthefirstI’veheardofit。

Iknewyouwould，though。Ialwayssaidyoucouldact——didn’t，I？”

Carriesmiled。

“Yes，youdid，“shesaid。

“Well，youdolookgreat，“hesaid。”Ineversawanybodyimprove，so。You’retaller，aren’tyou？”

“Me？Oh，alittle，maybe。”

Hegazedatherdress，thenatherhair，whereabecominghatwas，setjauntily，thenintohereyes，whichshetookalloccasionto，avert。Evidentlyheexpectedtorestoretheiroldfriendshipat，onceandwithoutmodification。

“Well，“hesaid，seeinghergatherupherpurse，handkerchief，andthelike，preparatorytodeparting，“Iwantyoutocomeout，todinnerwithme;won’tyou？I’vegotafriendouthere。”

“Oh，Ican’t，“saidCarrie。”Notto-night。Ihaveanearly，engagementto-morrow。”

“Aw，lettheengagementgo。Comeon。Icangetridofhim。I

wanttohaveagoodtalkwithyou。”

“No，no，“saidCarrie;“Ican’t。Youmustn’taskmeanymore。I

don’tcareforalatedinner。”

“Well，comeonandhaveatalk，then，anyhow。”

“Notto-night，“shesaid，shakingherhead。”We’llhaveatalk，someothertime。”

Asaresultofthis，shenoticedashadeofthoughtpassoverhis，face，asifhewerebeginningtorealisethatthingswere，changed。Good-naturedictatedsomethingbetterthanthisforone，whohadalwayslikedher。

“Youcomearoundtothehotelto-morrow，“shesaid，assortof，penanceforerror。”Youcantakedinnerwithme。”

“Allright，“saidDrouet，brightening。”Whereareyoustopping？”

“AttheWaldorf，“sheanswered，mentioningthefashionable，hostelrythenbutnewlyerected。

“Whattime？”

“Well，comeatthree，“saidCarrie，pleasantly。

ThenextdayDrouetcalled，butitwaswithnoespecialdelight，thatCarrierememberedherappointment。However，seeinghim，handsomeasever，afterhiskind，andmostgeniallydisposed，her，doubtsastowhetherthedinnerwouldbedisagreeablewereswept，away。Hetalkedasvolublyasever。

“Theyputonalotoflugshere，don’tthey？”washisfirst，remark。

“Yes;theydo，“saidCarrie。

Genialegotistthathewas，hewentatonceintoadetailed，accountofhisowncareer。

“I’mgoingtohaveabusinessofmyownprettysoon，“heobserved，inoneplace。”Icangetbackingfortwohundredthousand，dollars。”

Carrielistenedmostgood-naturedly。

“Say，“hesaid，suddenly;“whereisHurstwoodnow？”

Carrieflushedalittle。

“He’shereinNewYork，Iguess，“shesaid。”Ihaven’tseenhim，forsometime。”

Drouetmusedforamoment。Hehadnotbeensureuntilnowthat，theex-managerwasnotaninfluentialfigureinthebackground。

Heimaginednot;butthisassurancerelievedhim。Itmustbe，thatCarriehadgotridofhim——aswellsheought，hethought。

“Amanalwaysmakesamistakewhenhedoesanythinglikethat，“

heobserved。

“Likewhat？”saidCarrie，unwittingofwhatwascoming。

“Oh，youknow，“andDrouetwavedherintelligence，asitwere，withhishand。

“No，Idon’t，“sheanswered。”Whatdoyoumean？”

“WhythataffairinChicago——thetimeheleft。”

“Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，“saidCarrie。Couldit，behewouldrefersorudelytoHurstwood’sflightwithher？

“Oho！”saidDrouet，incredulously。”Youknewhetookten，thousanddollarswithhimwhenheleft，didn’tyou？”

“What！”saidCarrie。”Youdon’tmeantosayhestolemoney，do，you？”

“Why，“saidDrouet，puzzledathertone，“youknewthat，didn’t，you？”

“Why，no，“saidCarrie。”OfcourseIdidn’t。”

“Well，that’sfunny，“saidDrouet。”Hedid，youknow。Itwasin，allthepapers。”

“Howmuchdidyousayhetook？”saidCarrie。

“Tenthousanddollars。Iheardhesentmostofitback，afterwards，though。”

Carrielookedvacantlyattherichlycarpetedfloor。Anewlight，wasshininguponalltheyearssinceherenforcedflight。She，rememberednowahundredthingsthatindicatedasmuch。Shealso，imaginedthathetookitonheraccount。Insteadofhatred，springinguptherewasakindofsorrowgenerated。Poorfellow！

Whatathingtohavehadhangingoverhisheadallthetime。

AtdinnerDrouet，warmedupbyeatinganddrinkingandsoftened，inmood，fanciedhewaswinningCarrietoherold-timegood-

naturedregardforhim。Hebegantoimagineitwouldnotbeso，difficulttoenterintoherlifeagain，highasshewas。Ah，whataprize！hethought。Howbeautiful，howelegant，how，famous！InhertheatricalandWaldorfsetting，Carriewastohim，thealldesirable。

“DoyourememberhownervousyouwerethatnightattheAvery？”

heasked。

Carriesmiledtothinkofit。

“Ineversawanybodydobetterthanyoudidthen，Cad，“headded，ruefully，asheleanedanelbowonthetable;“Ithoughtyouand，Iweregoingtogetalongfinethosedays。”

“Youmustn’ttalkthatway，“saidCarrie，bringingintheleast，touchofcoldness。

“Won’tyouletmetellyou——“

“No，“sheanswered，rising。”Besides，it’stimeIwasgetting，readyforthetheatre。I’llhavetoleaveyou。Come，now。”

“Oh，stayaminute，“pleadedDrouet。”You’vegotplentyof，time。”

“No，“saidCarrie，gently。

ReluctantlyDrouetgaveupthebrighttableandfollowed。Hesaw，hertotheelevatorand，standingthere，said：

“WhendoIseeyouagain？”

“Oh，sometime，possibly，“saidCarrie。”I’llbehereall，summer。Good-night！”

Theelevatordoorwasopen。

“Good-night！”saidDrouet，assherustledin。

Thenhestrolledsadlydownthehall，allhisoldlonging，revived，becauseshewasnowsofaroff。Themerryfrou-frouof，theplacespokeallofher。Hethoughthimselfhardlydealt，with。Carrie，however，hadotherthoughts。

ThatnightitwasthatshepassedHurstwood，waitingatthe，Casino，withoutobservinghim。

Thenextnight，walkingtothetheatre，sheencounteredhimface，toface。Hewaswaiting，moregauntthanever，determinedtosee，her，ifhehadtosendinword。Atfirstshedidnotrecognise，theshabby，baggyfigure。Hefrightenedher，edgingsoclose，a，seeminglyhungrystranger。

“Carrie，“hehalfwhispered，“canIhaveafewwordswithyou？”

Sheturnedandrecognisedhimontheinstant。Ifthereeverhad，lurkedanyfeelinginherheartagainsthim，itdesertedhernow。

Still，sherememberedwhatDrouetsaidabouthishavingstolen，themoney。

“Why，George，“shesaid;“what’sthematterwithyou？”

“I’vebeensick，“heanswered。”I’vejustgotoutofthe，hospital。ForGod’ssake，letmehavealittlemoney，willyou？”

“Ofcourse，“saidCarrie，herliptremblinginastrongeffortto，maintainhercomposure。”Butwhat’sthematterwithyou，anyhow？”

Shewasopeningherpurse，andnowpulledoutallthebillsin，it——afiveandtwotwos。

“I’vebeensick，Itoldyou，“hesaid，peevishly，almost，resentingherexcessivepity。Itcamehardtohimtoreceiveit，fromsuchasource。

“Here，“shesaid。”It’sallIhavewithme。”

“Allright，“heanswered，softly。”I’llgiveitbacktoyousome，day。”

Carrielookedathim，whilepedestriansstaredather。Shefelt，thestrainofpublicity。SodidHurstwood。

“Whydon’tyoutellmewhat’sthematterwithyou？”sheasked，hardlyknowingwhattodo。”Whereareyouliving？”

“Oh，I’vegotaroomdownintheBowery，“heanswered。”There’s，nousetryingtotellyouhere。I’mallrightnow。”

Heseemedinawaytoresentherkindlyinquiries——somuchbetter，hadfatedealtwithher。

“Bettergoonin，“hesaid。”I’mmuchobliged，butIwon’t，botheryouanymore。”

Shetriedtoanswer，butheturnedawayandshuffledofftoward，theeast。

Fordaysthisapparitionwasadragonhersoulbeforeitbegan，towearpartiallyaway。Drouetcalledagain，butnowhewasnot，evenseenbyher。Hisattentionsseemedoutofplace。

“I’mout，“washerreplytotheboy。

Sopeculiar，indeed，washerlonely，self-withdrawingtemper，thatshewasbecominganinterestingfigureinthepubliceye——

shewassoquietandreserved。

Notlongafterthemanagementdecidedtotransfertheshowto，London。Asecondsummerseasondidnotseemtopromisewell，here。

“HowwouldyouliketotrysubduingLondon？”askedhermanager，oneafternoon。

“Itmightbejusttheotherway，“saidCarrie。

“Ithinkwe’llgoinJune，“heanswered。

Inthehurryofdeparture，Hurstwoodwasforgotten。Bothheand，Drouetwerelefttodiscoverthatshewasgone。Thelatter，calledonce，andexclaimedatthenews。Thenhestoodinthe，lobby，chewingtheendsofhismoustache。Atlasthereacheda，conclusion——theolddayshadgoneforgood。

“Sheisn’tsomuch，“hesaid;butinhisheartofheartshedid，notbelievethis。

Hurstwoodshiftedbycuriousmeansthroughalongsummerand，fall。Asmalljobasjanitorofadancehallhelpedhimfora，month。Begging，sometimesgoinghungry，sometimessleepingin，thepark，carriedhimovermoredays。Resortingtothose，peculiarcharities，severalofwhich，inthepressofhungry，search，heaccidentallystumbledupon，didtherest。Towardthe，deadofwinter，Carriecameback，appearingonBroadwayinanew，play;buthewasnotawareofit。Forweekshewanderedabout，thecity，begging，whilethefiresign，announcingher，engagement，blazednightlyuponthecrowdedstreetofamusements。

Drouetsawit，butdidnotventurein。

AboutthistimeAmesreturnedtoNewYork。Hehadmadealittle，successintheWest，andnowopenedalaboratoryinWooster，Street。Ofcourse，heencounteredCarriethroughMrs。Vance;but，therewasnothingresponsivebetweenthem。Hethoughtshewas，stillunitedtoHurstwood，untilotherwiseinformed。Notknowing，thefactsthen，hedidnotprofesstounderstand，andrefrained，fromcomment。

WithMrs。Vance，hesawthenewplay，andexpressedhimself，accordingly。

“Sheoughtnottobeincomedy，“hesaid。”Ithinkshecoulddo，betterthanthat。”

OneafternoontheymetattheVances’accidentally，andbegana，veryfriendlyconversation。Shecouldhardlytellwhytheone-

timekeeninterestinhimwasnolongerwithher。

Unquestionably，itwasbecauseatthattimehehadrepresented，somethingwhichshedidnothave;butthisshedidnot，understand。Successhadgivenherthemomentaryfeelingthatshe，wasnowblessedwithmuchofwhichhewouldapprove。Asamatter，offact，herlittlenewspaperfamewasnothingatalltohim。He，thoughtshecouldhavedonebetter，byfar。

“Youdidn’tgointocomedy-drama，afterall？”hesaid，rememberingherinterestinthatformofart。

“No，“sheanswered;“Ihaven’t，sofar。”

Helookedatherinsuchapeculiarwaythatsherealisedshehad，failed。Itmovedhertoadd：“Iwantto，though。”

“Ishouldthinkyouwould，“hesaid。”Youhavethesortof，dispositionthatwoulddowellincomedy-drama。”

Itsurprisedherthatheshouldspeakofdisposition。Wasshe，then，soclearlyinhismind？

“Why？”sheasked。

“Well，“hesaid，“Ishouldjudgeyouwererathersympatheticin，yournature。”

Carriesmiledandcolouredslightly。Hewassoinnocentlyfrank，withherthatshedrewnearerinfriendship。Theoldcallofthe，idealwassounding。

“Idon’tknow，“sheanswered，pleased，nevertheless，beyondall，concealment。

“Isawyourplay，“heremarked。”It’sverygood。”

“I’mgladyoulikedit。”

“Verygood，indeed，“hesaid，“foracomedy。”

Thisisallthatwassaidatthetime，owingtoaninterruption，butlatertheymetagain。Hewassittinginacornerafter，dinner，staringatthefloor，whenCarriecameupwithanotherof，theguests。Hardworkhadgivenhisfacethelookofonewhois，weary。ItwasnotforCarrietoknowthethinginitwhich，appealedtoher。

“Allalone？”shesaid。

“Iwaslisteningtothemusic。”

“I’llbebackinamoment，“saidhercompanion，whosawnothing，intheinventor。

Nowhelookedupinherface，forshewasstandingamoment，whilehesat。

“Isn’tthatapatheticstrain？”heinquired，listening。

“Oh，very，“shereturned，alsocatchingit，nowthather，attentionwascalled。

“Sitdown，“headded，offeringherthechairbesidehim。

Theylistenedafewmomentsinsilence，touchedbythesame，feeling，onlyhersreachedherthroughtheheart。Musicstill，charmedherasintheolddays。

“Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutmusic，“shestartedtosay，moved，bytheinexplicablelongingswhichsurgedwithinher;“butit，alwaysmakesmefeelasifIwantedsomething——I——“

“Yes，“hereplied;“Iknowhowyoufeel。”

Suddenlyheturnedtoconsideringthepeculiarityofher，disposition，expressingherfeelingssofrankly。

“Yououghtnottobemelancholy，“hesaid。

Hethoughtawhile，andthenwentoffintoaseeminglyalien，observationwhich，however，accordedwiththeirfeelings。

“Theworldisfullofdesirablesituations，but，unfortunately，wecanoccupybutoneatatime。Itdoesn’tdousanygoodto，wringourhandsoverthefar-offthings。”

Themusicceasedandhearose，takingastandingpositionbefore，her，asiftoresthimself。

“Whydon’tyougetintosomegood，strongcomedy-drama？”hesaid。

Hewaslookingdirectlyathernow，studyingherface。Her，large，sympatheticeyesandpain-touchedmouthappealedtohimas，proofsofhisjudgment。

“PerhapsIshall，“shereturned。

“That’syourfield，“headded。

“Doyouthinkso？”

“Yes，“hesaid;“Ido。Idon’tsupposeyou’reawareofit，but，thereissomethingaboutyoureyesandmouthwhichfitsyoufor，thatsortofwork。”

Carriethrilledtobetakensoseriously。Forthemoment，lonelinessdesertedher。Herewaspraisewhichwaskeenand，analytical。

“It’sinyoureyesandmouth，“hewentonabstractedly。”I

rememberthinking，thefirsttimeIsawyou，thattherewas，somethingpeculiaraboutyourmouth。Ithoughtyouwereaboutto，cry。”

“Howodd，“saidCarrie，warmwithdelight。Thiswaswhather，heartcraved。

“ThenInoticedthatthatwasyournaturallook，andto-nightI

sawitagain。There’sashadowaboutyoureyes，too，whichgives，yourfacemuchthissamecharacter。It’sinthedepthofthem，I

think。”

Carrielookedstraightintohisface，whollyaroused。

“Youprobablyarenotawareofit，“headded。

Shelookedaway，pleasedthatheshouldspeakthus，longingtobe，equaltothisfeelingwrittenuponhercountenance。Itunlocked，thedoortoanewdesire。

Shehadcausetoponderoverthisuntiltheymetagain——several，weeksormore。Itshowedhershewasdriftingawayfromtheold，idealwhichhadfilledherinthedressing-roomsoftheAvery，stageandthereafter，foralongtime。Whyhadshelostit？

“Iknowwhyyoushouldbeasuccess，“hesaid，anothertime，“if，youhadamoredramaticpart。I’vestudieditout——“

“Whatisit？”saidCarrie。

“Well，“hesaid，asonepleasedwithapuzzle，“theexpressionin，yourfaceisonethatcomesoutindifferentthings。Yougetthe，samethinginapatheticsong，oranypicturewhichmovesyou，deeply。It’sathingtheworldlikestosee，becauseit’sa，naturalexpressionofitslonging。”

Carriegazedwithoutexactlygettingtheimportofwhathemeant。

“Theworldisalwaysstrugglingtoexpressitself，“hewenton。

“Mostpeoplearenotcapableofvoicingtheirfeelings。They，dependuponothers。Thatiswhatgeniusisfor。Oneman，expressestheirdesiresfortheminmusic;anotheroneinpoetry;

anotheroneinaplay。Sometimesnaturedoesitinaface——it，makesthefacerepresentativeofalldesire。That’swhathas，happenedinyourcase。”

Helookedatherwithsomuchoftheimportofthethinginhis，eyesthatshecaughtit。Atleast，shegottheideathather，lookwassomethingwhichrepresentedtheworld’slonging。She，tookittoheartasacreditablething，untilheadded：

“Thatputsaburdenofdutyonyou。Itsohappensthatyouhave，thisthing。Itisnocredittoyou——thatis，Imean，youmight，nothavehadit。Youpaidnothingtogetit。Butnowthatyou，haveit，youmustdosomethingwithit。”

“What？”askedCarrie。

“Ishouldsay，turntothedramaticfield。Youhavesomuch，sympathyandsuchamelodiousvoice。Makethemvaluableto，others。Itwillmakeyourpowersendure。”

Carriedidnotunderstandthislast。Alltherestshowedher，thathercomedysuccesswaslittleornothing。

“Whatdoyoumean？”sheasked。

“Why，justthis。Youhavethisqualityinyoureyesandmouth，andinyournature。Youcanloseit，youknow。Ifyouturnaway，fromitandlivetosatisfyyourselfalone，itwillgofast，enough。Thelookwillleaveyoureyes。Yourmouthwillchange。

Yourpowertoactwilldisappear。Youmaythinktheywon’t，but，theywill。Naturetakescareofthat。”

Hewassointerestedinforwardingallgoodcausesthathe，sometimesbecameenthusiastic，givingventtothesepreachments。

SomethinginCarrieappealedtohim。Hewantedtostirherup。

“Iknow，“shesaid，absently，feelingslightlyguiltyofneglect。

“IfIwereyou，“hesaid，“I’dchange。”

Theeffectofthiswaslikeroilinghelplesswaters。Carrie，troubledoveritinherrocking-chairfordays。

“Idon’tbelieveI’llstayincomedysoverymuchlonger，“she，eventuallyremarkedtoLola。

“Oh，whynot？”saidthelatter。

“Ithink，“shesaid，“Icandobetterinaseriousplay。”

“Whatputthatideainyourhead？”

“Oh，nothing，“sheanswered;“I’vealwaysthoughtso。”

Still，shedidnothing——grieving。Itwasalongwaytothis，betterthing——orseemedso——andcomfortwasabouther;hencethe，inactivityandlonging。

ChapterXLVII

THEWAYOFTHEBEATEN——AHARPINTHEWIND

Inthecity，atthattime，therewereanumberofcharities，similarinnaturetothatofthecaptain’s，whichHurstwoodnow，patronisedinalikeunfortunateway。Onewasaconventmission-

houseoftheSistersofMercyinFifteenthStreet——arowofred，brickfamilydwellings，beforethedoorofwhichhungaplain，woodencontributionbox，onwhichwaspaintedthestatementthat，everynoonamealwasgivenfreetoallthosewhomightapplyand，askforaid。Thissimpleannouncementwasmodestintheextreme，covering，asitdid，acharitysobroad。Institutionsand，charitiesaresolargeandsonumerousinNewYorkthatsuch，thingsasthisarenotoftennoticedbythemorecomfortably，situated。Buttoonewhosemindisuponthematter，theygrow，exceedinglyunderinspection。Unlessonewerelookingupthis，matterinparticular，hecouldhavestoodatSixthAvenueand，FifteenthStreetfordaysaroundthenoonhourandneverhave，noticedthatoutofthevastcrowdthatsurgedalongthatbusy，thoroughfarethereturnedout，everyfewseconds，someweather-

beaten，heavy-footedspecimenofhumanity，gauntincountenance，anddilapidatedinthematterofclothes。Thefactisnonethe，lesstrue，however，andthecolderthedaythemoreapparentit，became。Spaceandalackofculinaryroominthemission-house，compelledanarrangementwhichpermittedofonlytwenty-fiveor，thirtyeatingatonetime，sothatalinehadtobeformed，outsideandanorderlyentranceeffected。Thiscausedadaily，spectaclewhich，however，hadbecomesocommonbyrepetition，duringanumberofyearsthatnownothingwasthoughtofit。The，menwaitedpatiently，likecattle，inthecoldestweather——waited，forseveralhoursbeforetheycouldbeadmitted。Noquestions，wereaskedandnoservicerendered。Theyateandwentaway，again，someofthemreturningregularlydayafterdaythewinter，through。

Abig，motherlylookingwomaninvariablystoodguardatthedoor，duringtheentireoperationandcountedtheadmissiblenumber。

Themenmovedupinsolemnorder。Therewasnohasteandno，eagernessdisplayed。Itwasalmostadumbprocession。Inthe，bitterestweatherthislinewastobefoundhere。Underanicy，windtherewasaprodigiousslappingofhandsandadancingof，feet。Fingersandthefeaturesofthefacelookedasifseverely，nippedbythecold。Astudyofthesemeninbroadlightproved，themtobenearlyallofatype。Theybelongedtotheclassthat，sitontheparkbenchesduringtheendurabledaysandsleepupon，themduringthesummernights。TheyfrequenttheBoweryand，thosedown-at-the-heelsEastSidestreetswherepoorclothesand，shrunkenfeaturesarenotsingledoutascurious。Theyarethe，menwhoareinthelodginghousesitting-roomsduringbleakand，bitterweatherandwhoswarmaboutthecheapershelterswhich，onlyopenatsixinanumberofthelowerEastSidestreets。

Miserablefood，ill-timedandgreedilyeaten，hadplayedhavoc，withboneandmuscle。Theywereallpale，flabby，sunken-eyed，hollow-chested，witheyesthatglintedandshoneandlipsthat，wereasicklyredbycontrast。Theirhairwasbuthalfattended，to，theirearsanaemicinhue，andtheirshoesbrokeninleather，andrundownatheelandtoe。Theywereoftheclasswhich，simplyfloatsanddrifts，everywaveofpeoplewashingupone，as，breakersdodriftwooduponastormyshore。

Fornearlyaquarterofacentury，inanothersectionofthe，city，Fleischmann，thebaker，hadgivenaloafofbreadtoany，onewhowouldcomeforittothesidedoorofhisrestaurantat，thecornerofBroadwayandTenthStreet，atmidnight。Every，nightduringtwentyyearsaboutthreehundredmenhadformedin，lineandattheappointedtimemarchedpastthedoorway，picked，theirloaffromagreatboxplacedjustoutside，andvanished，againintothenight。Fromthebeginningtothepresenttime，therehadbeenlittlechangeinthecharacterornumberofthese，men。Thereweretwoorthreefiguresthathadgrownfamiliarto，thosewhohadseenthislittleprocessionpassyearafteryear。

Twoofthemhadmissedscarcelyanightinfifteenyears。There，wereaboutforty，moreorless，regularcallers。Theremainder，ofthelinewasformedofstrangers。Intimesofpanicand，unusualhardshipstherewereseldommorethanthreehundred。In，timesofprosperity，whenlittleisheardoftheunemployed，therewereseldomless。Thesamenumber，winterandsummer，in，stormorcalm，ingoodtimesandbad，heldthismelancholy，midnightrendezvousatFleischmann’sbreadbox。

Atbothofthesetwocharities，duringtheseverewinterwhich，wasnowon，Hurstwoodwasafrequentvisitor。Ononeoccasionit，waspeculiarlycold，andfindingnocomfortinbeggingaboutthe，streets，hewaiteduntilnoonbeforeseekingthisfreeoffering，tothepoor。Already，ateleveno’clockofthismorning，several，suchashehadshambledforwardoutofSixthAvenue，theirthin，clothesflappingandflutteringinthewind。Theyleanedagainst，theironrailingwhichprotectsthewallsoftheNinthRegiment，Armory，whichfrontsuponthatsectionofFifteenthStreet，havingcomeearlyinordertobefirstin。Havinganhourto，wait，theyatfirstlingeredatarespectfuldistance;butothers，comingup，theymovedcloserinordertoprotecttheirrightof，precedence。TothiscollectionHurstwoodcameupfromthewest，outofSeventhAvenueandstoppedclosetothedoor，nearerthan，alltheothers。Thosewhohadbeenwaitingbeforehim，but，fartheraway，nowdrewnear，andbyacertainstolidityof，demeanour，nowordsbeingspoken，indicatedthattheywerefirst。

Seeingtheoppositiontohisaction，helookedsullenlyalongthe，line，thenmovedout，takinghisplaceatthefoot。Whenorder，hadbeenrestored，theanimalfeelingofoppositionrelaxed。

“Mustbeprettynearnoon，“venturedone。

“Itis，“saidanother。”I’vebeenwaitingnearlyanhour。”

“Gee，butit’scold！”

Theypeeredeagerlyatthedoor，whereallmustenter。Agrocery，mandroveupandcarriedinseveralbasketsofeatables。This，startedsomewordsupongrocerymenandthecostoffoodin，general。

“Iseemeat’sgoneup，“saidone。

“Iftherewuzwar，itwouldhelpthiscountryalot。”

Thelinewasgrowingrapidly。Alreadytherewerefiftyormore，andthoseatthehead，bytheirdemeanour，evidently，congratulatedthemselvesuponnothavingsolongtowaitasthose，atthefoot。Therewasmuchjerkingofheads，andlookingdown，theline。

“Itdon’tmatterhownearyougettothefront，solongasyou’re，inthefirsttwenty-five，“commentedoneofthefirsttwenty-

five。”Youallgointogether。”

“Humph！”ejaculatedHurstwood，whohadbeensosturdily，displaced。

“ThishereSingleTaxisthething，“saidanother。”Thereain’t，goingtobenoordertillitcomes。”

Forthemostparttherewassilence;gauntmenshuffling，glancing，andbeatingtheirarms。

Atlastthedooropenedandthemotherly-lookingsisterappeared。

Sheonlylookedanorder。Slowlythelinemovedupand，oneby，one，passedin，untiltwenty-fivewerecounted。Thenshe，interposedastoutarm，andthelinehalted，withsixmenonthe，steps。Ofthesetheex-managerwasone。Waitingthus，some，talked，someejaculatedconcerningthemiseryofit;some，brooded，asdidHurstwood。Atlasthewasadmitted，and，having，eaten，cameaway，almostangeredbecauseofhispainsingetting，it。

Ateleveno’clockofanotherevening，perhapstwoweekslater，he，wasatthemidnightofferingofaloaf——waitingpatiently。It，hadbeenanunfortunatedaywithhim，butnowhetookhisfate，withatouchofphilosophy。Ifhecouldsecurenosupper，orwas，hungrylateintheevening，herewasaplacehecouldcome。A

fewminutesbeforetwelve，agreatboxofbreadwaspushedout，andexactlyonthehouraportly，round-facedGermantook，positionbyit，calling“Ready。”Thewholelineatoncemoved，forwardeachtakinghisloafinturnandgoinghisseparateway。

Onthisoccasion，theex-manageratehisashewentploddingthe，darkstreetsinsilencetohisbed。

ByJanuaryhehadaboutconcludedthatthegamewasupwithhim。

Lifehadalwaysseemedapreciousthing，butnowconstantwant，andweakenedvitalityhadmadethecharmsofearthratherdull，andinconspicuous。Severaltimes，whenfortunepressedmost，harshly，hethoughthewouldendhistroubles;butwithachange，ofweather，orthearrivalofaquarteroradime，hismoodwould，change，andhewouldwait。Eachdayhewouldfindsomeoldpaper，lyingaboutandlookintoit，toseeiftherewasanytraceof，Carrie，butallsummerandfallhehadlookedinvain。Thenhe，noticedthathiseyeswerebeginningtohurthim，andthis，ailmentrapidlyincreaseduntil，inthedarkchambersofthe，lodgingshefrequented，hedidnotattempttoread。Badand，irregulareatingwasweakeningeveryfunctionofhisbody。The，onerecourselefthimwastodozewhenaplaceofferedandhe，couldgetthemoneytooccupyit。

Hewasbeginningtofind，inhiswretchedclothingandmeagre，stateofbody，thatpeopletookhimforachronictypeofbumand，beggar。Policehustledhimalong，restaurantandlodginghouse，keepersturnedhimoutpromptlythemomenthehadhisdue;

pedestrianswavedhimoff。Hefounditmoreandmoredifficult，togetanythingfromanybody。

Atlastheadmittedtohimselfthatthegamewasup。Itwas，afteralongseriesofappealstopedestrians，inwhichhehad，beenrefusedandrefused——everyonehasteningfromcontact。

“Givemealittlesomething，willyou，mister？”hesaidtothe，lastone。”ForGod’ssake，do;I’mstarving。”

“Aw，getout，“saidtheman，whohappenedtobeacommontype，himself。”You’renogood。I’llgiveyounawthin’。”

Hurstwoodputhishands，redfromcold，downinhispockets。

Tearscameintohiseyes。

“That’sright，“hesaid;“I’mnogoodnow。Iwasallright。I

hadmoney。I’mgoingtoquitthis，“and，withdeathinhis，heart，hestarteddowntowardtheBowery。Peoplehadturnedon，thegasbeforeanddied;whyshouldn’the？Heremembereda，lodginghousewheretherewerelittle，closerooms，withgas-jets，inthem，almostpre-arranged，hethought，forwhathewantedto，do，whichrentedforfifteencents。Thenherememberedthathe，hadnofifteencents。

Onthewayhemetacomfortable-lookinggentleman，coming，clean-

shaven，outofafinebarbershop。

“Wouldyoumindgivingmealittlesomething？”heaskedthisman，boldly。

Thegentlemanlookedhimoverandfishedforadime。Nothingbut，quarterswereinhispocket。

“Here，“hesaid，handinghimone，toberidofhim。”Beoff，now。”

Hurstwoodmovedon，wondering。Thesightofthelarge，bright，coinpleasedhimalittle。Herememberedthathewashungryand，thathecouldgetabedfortencents。Withthis，theideaof，deathpassed，forthetimebeing，outofhismind。Itwasonly，whenhecouldgetnothingbutinsultsthatdeathseemedworth，while。

Oneday，inthemiddleofthewinter，thesharpestspellofthe，seasonsetin。Itbrokegreyandcoldinthefirstday，andon，thesecondsnowed。Poorluckpursuinghim，hehadsecuredbut，tencentsbynightfall，andthishehadspentforfood。At，eveninghefoundhimselfattheBoulevardandSixty-seventh，Street，wherehefinallyturnedhisfaceBowery-ward。Especially，fatiguedbecauseofthewanderingpropensitywhichhadseizedhim，inthemorning，henowhalfdraggedhiswetfeet，shufflingthe，solesuponthesidewalk。Anold，thincoatwasturnedupabout，hisredears——hiscrackedderbyhatwaspulleddownuntilit，turnedthemoutward。Hishandswereinhispockets。

“I’lljustgodownBroadway，“hesaidtohimself。

WhenhereachedForty-secondStreet，thefiresignswerealready，blazingbrightly。Crowdswerehasteningtodine。Throughbright，windows，ateverycorner，mightbeseengaycompaniesin，luxuriantrestaurants。Therewerecoachesandcrowdedcable，cars。

Inhiswearyandhungrystate，heshouldneverhavecomehere。

Thecontrastwastoosharp。Evenhewasrecalledkeenlyto，betterthings。

“What’stheuse？”hethought。”It’sallupwithme。I’llquit，this。”

Peopleturnedtolookafterhim，souncouthwashisshambling，figure。Severalofficersfollowedhimwiththeireyes，tosee，thathedidnotbegofanybody。

Oncehepausedinanaimless，incoherentsortofwayandlooked，throughthewindowsofanimposingrestaurant，beforewhich，blazedafiresign，andthroughthelarge，platewindowsofwhich，couldbeseentheredandgolddecorations，thepalms，thewhite，napery，andshiningglassware，and，aboveall，thecomfortable，crowd。Weakashismindhadbecome，hishungerwassharpenough，toshowtheimportanceofthis。Hestoppedstockstill，his，frayedtrouserssoakingintheslush，andpeeredfoolishlyin。

“Eat，“hemumbled。”That’sright，eat。Nobodyelsewantsany。”

Thenhisvoicedroppedevenlower，andhismindhalflostthe，fancyithad。

“It’smightycold，“hesaid。”Awfulcold。”

AtBroadwayandThirty-ninthStreetwasblazing，inincandescent，fire，Carrie’sname。”CarrieMadenda，“itread，“andtheCasino，Company。”Allthewet，snowysidewalkwasbrightwiththis，radiatedfire。ItwassobrightthatitattractedHurstwood’s，gaze。Helookedup，andthenatalarge，gilt-framed，posterboard，onwhichwasafinelithographofCarrie，lifesize。

Hurstwoodgazedatitamoment，snufflingandhunchingone，shoulder，asifsomethingwerescratchinghim。Hewassorun，down，however，thathismindwasnotexactlyclear。

Heapproachedthatentranceandwentin。

“Well？”saidtheattendant，staringathim。Seeinghimpause，he，wentoverandshovedhim。”Getoutofhere，“hesaid。

“IwanttoseeMissMadenda，“hesaid。

“Youdo，eh？”theothersaid，almosttickledatthespectacle。

“Getoutofhere，“andheshovedhimagain。Hurstwoodhadno，strengthtoresist。

“IwanttoseeMissMadenda，“hetriedtoexplain，evenashewas，beinghustledaway。”I’mallright。I——“

Themangavehimalastpushandclosedthedoor。Ashedidso，Hurstwoodslippedandfellinthesnow。Ithurthim，andsome，vaguesenseofshamereturned。Hebegantocryandswear，foolishly。

“Goddamneddog！”hesaid。”Damnedoldcur，“wipingtheslush，fromhisworthlesscoat。”I——Ihiredsuchpeopleasyouonce。”

NowafiercefeelingagainstCarriewelledup——justonefierce，angrythoughtbeforethewholethingslippedoutofhismind。

“Sheowesmesomethingtoeat，“hesaid。”Sheowesittome。”

HopelesslyheturnedbackintoBroadwayagainandsloppedonward，andaway，begging，crying，losingtrackofhisthoughts，one，afteranother，asaminddecayedanddisjointediswonttodo。

Itwastrulyawintryevening，afewdayslater，whenhisone，distinctmentaldecisionwasreached。Already，atfouro’clock，thesombrehueofnightwasthickeningtheair。Aheavysnowwas，falling——afinepicking，whippingsnow，borneforwardbyaswift，windinlong，thinlines。Thestreetswerebeddedwithit——six，inchesofcold，softcarpet，churnedtoadirtybrownbythe，crushofteamsandthefeetofmen。AlongBroadwaymenpicked，theirwayinulstersandumbrellas。AlongtheBowery，men，slouchedthroughitwithcollarsandhatspulledovertheirears。

Intheformerthoroughfarebusinessmenandtravellersweremaking，forcomfortablehotels。Inthelatter，crowdsoncolderrands，shiftedpastdingystores，inthedeeprecessesofwhichlights，werealreadygleaming。Therewereearlylightsinthecable，cars，whoseusualclatterwasreducedbythemantleaboutthe，wheels。Thewholecitywasmuffledbythisfast-thickening，mantle。

InhercomfortablechambersattheWaldorf，Carriewasreadingat，thistime“PereGoriot，“whichAmeshadrecommendedtoher。It，wassostrong，andAmes’smererecommendationhadsoarousedher，interest，thatshecaughtnearlythefullsympathetic，significanceofit。Forthefirsttime，itwasbeingbornein，uponherhowsillyandworthlesshadbeenherearlierreading，as，awhole。Becomingwearied，however，sheyawnedandcametothe，window，lookingoutupontheoldwindingprocessionofcarriages，rollingupFifthAvenue。

“Isn’titbad？”sheobservedtoLola。

“Terrible！”saidthatlittlelady，joiningher。”Ihopeitsnows，enoughtogosleighriding。”

“Oh，dear，“saidCarrie，withwhomthesufferingsofFather，Goriotwerestillkeen。”That’sallyouthinkof。Aren’tyou，sorryforthepeoplewhohaven’tanythingto-night？”

“OfcourseIam，“saidLola;“butwhatcanIdo？Ihaven’t，anything。”

Carriesmiled。

“Youwouldn’tcare，ifyouhad，“shereturned。

“Iwould，too，“saidLola。”Butpeoplenevergavemeanything，whenIwashardup。”

“Isn’titjustawful？”saidCarrie，studyingthewinter’sstorm。

“Lookatthatmanoverthere，“laughedLola，whohadcaughtsight，ofsomeonefallingdown。”Howsheepishmenlookwhentheyfall，don’tthey？”

“We’llhavetotakeacoachto-night，“answeredCarrieabsently。

InthelobbyoftheImperial，Mr。CharlesDrouetwasjust，arriving，shakingthesnowfromaveryhandsomeulster。Bad，weatherhaddrivenhimhomeearlyandstirredhisdesirefor，thosepleasureswhichshutoutthesnowandgloomoflife。A

gooddinner，thecompanyofayoungwoman，andaneveningatthe，theatrewerethechiefthingsforhim。

“Why，hello，Harry！”hesaid，addressingaloungerinoneofthe，comfortablelobbychairs。”Howareyou？”

“Oh，aboutsixandsix，“saidtheother。

“Rottenweather，isn’tit？”

“Well，Ishouldsay，“saidtheother。”I’vebeenjustsitting，herethinkingwhereI’dgoto-night。”

“Comealongwithme，“saidDrouet。”Icanintroduceyouto，somethingdeadswell。”

“Whoisit？”saidtheother。

“Oh，acoupleofgirlsoverhereinFortiethStreet。Wecould，haveadandytime。Iwasjustlookingforyou。”

“Supposingyouget’emandtake’emouttodinner？”

“Sure，“saidDrouet。”Wait’llIgoupstairsandchangemy，clothes。”

“Well，I’llbeinthebarbershop，“saidtheother。”Iwantto，getashave。”

“Allright，“saidDrouet，creakingoffinhisgoodshoestoward，theelevator。Theoldbutterflywasaslightonthewingas，ever。

OnanincomingvestibuledPullman，speedingatfortymilesan，hourthroughthesnowoftheevening，werethreeothers，all，related。

“Firstcallfordinnerinthedining-car，“aPullmanservitorwas，announcing，ashehastenedthroughtheaisleinsnow-whiteapron，andjacket。

“Idon’tbelieveIwanttoplayanymore，“saidtheyoungest，a，black-hairedbeauty，turnedsuperciliousbyfortune，asshe，pushedaeuchrehandawayfromher。

“Shallwegointodinner？”inquiredherhusband，whowasallthat，fineraimentcanmake。

“Oh，notyet，“sheanswered。”Idon’twanttoplayanymore，though。”

“Jessica，“saidhermother，whowasalsoastudyinwhatgood，clothingcandoforage，“pushthatpindowninyourtie——it’s，comingup。”

Jessicaobeyed，incidentallytouchingatherlovelyhairand，lookingatalittlejewel-facedwatch。Herhusbandstudiedher，forbeauty，evencold，isfascinatingfromonepointofview。

“Well，wewon’thavemuchmoreofthisweather，“hesaid。”It，onlytakestwoweekstogettoRome。”

Mrs。Hurstwoodnestledcomfortablyinhercornerandsmiled。It，wassonicetobethemother-in-lawofarichyoungman——one，whosefinancialstatehadborneherpersonalinspection。

“Doyousupposetheboatwillsailpromptly？”askedJessica，“if，itkeepsuplikethis？”

“Oh，yes，“answeredherhusband。”Thiswon’tmakeany，difference。”

Passingdowntheaislecameaveryfair-hairedbanker’sson，also，ofChicago，whohadlongeyedthissuperciliousbeauty。Evennow，hedidnothesitatetoglanceather，andshewasconsciousof，it。Withaspeciallyconjuredshowofindifference，sheturned，herprettyfacewhollyaway。Itwasnotwifelymodestyatall。

Bysomuchwasherpridesatisfied。

AtthismomentHurstwoodstoodbeforeadirtyfourstorybuilding，inasidestreetquiteneartheBowery，whoseone-timecoatof，buffhadbeenchangedbysootandrain。Hemingledwithacrowd，ofmen——acrowdwhichhadbeen，andwasstill，gatheringby，degrees。

Itbeganwiththeapproachoftwoorthree，whohungaboutthe，closedwoodendoorsandbeattheirfeettokeepthemwarm。They，hadonfadedderbyhatswithdentsinthem。Theirmisfitcoats，wereheavywithmeltedsnowandturnedupatthecollars。Their，trousersweremerebags，frayedatthebottomandwobblingover，big，soppyshoes，tornatthesidesandwornalmosttoshreds。

Theymadenoefforttogoin，butshiftedruefullyabout，digging，theirhandsdeepintheirpocketsandleeringatthecrowdand，theincreasinglamps。Withtheminutes，increasedthenumber。

Therewereoldmenwithgrizzledbeardsandsunkeneyes，menwho，werecomparativelyyoungbutshrunkenbydiseases，menwhowere，middle-aged。Nonewerefat。Therewasafaceinthethickof，thecollectionwhichwasaswhiteasdrainedveal。Therewas，anotherredasbrick。Somecamewiththin，roundedshoulders，otherswithwoodenlegs，stillotherswithframessoleanthat，clothesonlyflappedaboutthem。Thereweregreatears，swollen，noses，thicklips，and，aboveall，red，blood-shoteyes。Nota，normal，healthyfaceinthewholemass;notastraightfigure;

notastraightforward，steadyglance。

Inthedriveofthewindandsleettheypushedinononeanother。

Therewerewrists，unprotectedbycoatorpocket，whichwerered，withcold。Therewereears，halfcoveredbyeveryconceivable，semblanceofahat，whichstilllookedstiffandbitten。Inthe，snowtheyshifted，nowonefoot，nowanother，almostrockingin，unison。

Withthegrowthofthecrowdaboutthedoorcameamurmur。It，wasnotconversation，butarunningcommentdirectedatanyone，ingeneral。Itcontainedoathsandslangphrases。

“Bydamn，Iwishthey’dhurryup。”

“Lookatthecopperwatchin’。”

“Maybeitain’twinter，nuther！”

“IwishtIwasinSingSing。”

Nowasharperlashofwindcutdownandtheyhuddledcloser。It，wasanedging，shifting，pushingthrong。Therewasnoanger，no，pleading，nothreateningwords。Itwasallsullenendurance，unlightenedbyeitherwitorgoodfellowship。

Acarriagewentjinglingbywithsomerecliningfigureinit。

Oneofthemennearestthedoorsawit。

“Lookattheblokeridin’。”

“Heain’tsocold。”

“Eh，eh，eh！”yelledanother，thecarriagehavinglongsince，passedoutofhearing。

Littlebylittlethenightcrepton。Alongthewalkacrowd，turnedoutonitswayhome。Menandshop-girlswentbywith，quicksteps。Thecross-towncarsbegantobecrowded。Thegas，lampswereblazing，andeverywindowbloomedruddywithasteady，flame。Stillthecrowdhungaboutthedoor，unwavering。

“Ain’ttheyevergoin’toopenup？”queriedahoarsevoice，suggestively。

Thisseemedtorenewthegeneralinterestinthecloseddoor，and，manygazedinthatdirection。Theylookedatitasdumbbrutes，look，asdogspawandwhineandstudytheknob。Theyshiftedand，blinkedandmuttered，nowacurse，nowacomment。Stillthey，waitedandstillthesnowwhirledandcutthemwithbiting，flakes。Ontheoldhatsandpeakedshouldersitwaspiling。It，gatheredinlittleheapsandcurvesandnoonebrusheditoff。

Inthecentreofthecrowdthewarmthandsteammeltedit，and，watertrickledoffhatrimsanddownnoses，whichtheowners，couldnotreachtoscratch。Ontheouterrimthepilesremained，unmelted。Hurstwood，whocouldnotgetinthecentre，stoodwith，headloweredtotheweatherandbenthisform。

Alightappearedthroughthetransomoverhead。Itsentathrill，ofpossibilitythroughthewatchers。Therewasamurmurof，recognition。Atlastthebarsgratedinsideandthecrowd，prickedupitsears。Footstepsshuffledwithinanditmurmured，again。Someonecalled：“Slowupthere，now，“andthenthedoor，opened。Itwaspushandjamforaminute，withgrim，beast，silencetoproveitsquality，andthenitmeltedinward，like，logsfloating，anddisappeared。Therewerewethatsandwet，shoulders，acold，shrunken，disgruntledmass，pouringinbetween，bleakwalls。Itwasjustsixo’clockandtherewassupperin，everyhurryingpedestrian’sface。Andyetnosupperwasprovided，here——nothingbutbeds。

Hurstwoodlaiddownhisfifteencentsandcreptoffwithweary，stepstohisallottedroom。Itwasadingyaffair——wooden，dusty，hard。Asmallgas-jetfurnishedsufficientlightforso，ruefulacorner。

“Hm！”hesaid，clearinghisthroatandlockingthedoor。

Nowhebeganleisurelytotakeoffhisclothes，butstoppedfirst，withhiscoat，andtuckeditalongthecrackunderthedoor。His，vesthearrangedinthesameplace。Hisoldwet，crackedhathe，laidsoftlyuponthetable。Thenhepulledoffhisshoesandlay，down。

Itseemedasifhethoughtawhile，fornowhearoseandturned，thegasout，standingcalmlyintheblackness，hiddenfromview。

Afterafewmoments，inwhichhereviewednothing，butmerely，hesitated，heturnedthegasonagain，butappliednomatch。

Eventhenhestoodthere，hiddenwhollyinthatkindnesswhichis，night，whiletheuprisingfumesfilledtheroom。Whentheodour，reachedhisnostrils，hequithisattitudeandfumbledforthe，bed。”What’stheuse？”hesaid，weakly，ashestretchedhimself，torest。

AndnowCarriehadattainedthatwhichinthebeginningseemed，life’sobject，or，atleast，suchfractionofitashumanbeings，everattainoftheiroriginaldesires。Shecouldlookabouton，hergownsandcarriage，herfurnitureandbankaccount。Friends，therewere，astheworldtakesit——thosewhowouldbowandsmile，inacknowledgmentofhersuccess。Fortheseshehadoncecraved。

Applausetherewas，andpublicity——oncefaroff，essential，things，butnowgrowntrivialandindifferent。Beautyalso——her，typeofloveliness——andyetshewaslonely。Inherrocking-chair，shesat，whennototherwiseengaged——singinganddreaming。

Thusinlifethereisevertheintellectualandtheemotional，nature——themindthatreasons，andthemindthatfeels。Ofone，comethemenofaction——generalsandstatesmen;oftheother，the，poetsanddreamers——artistsall。

Asharpsinthewind，thelatterrespondtoeverybreathof，fancy，voicingintheirmoodsalltheebbandflowoftheideal。

Manhasnotyetcomprehendedthedreameranymorethanhehasthe，ideal。Forhimthelawsandmoralsoftheworldareunduly，severe。Everhearkeningtothesoundofbeauty，strainingfor，theflashofitsdistantwings，hewatchestofollow，wearying，hisfeetintravelling。SowatchedCarrie，sofollowed，rocking，andsinging。

Anditmustberememberedthatreasonhadlittlepartinthis。

Chicagodawning，shesawthecityofferingmoreofloveliness，thanshehadeverknown，andinstinctively，byforceofhermoods，alone，clungtoit。Infineraimentandelegantsurroundings，menseemedtobecontented。Hence，shedrewnearthesethings。

Chicago，NewYork;Drouet，Hurstwood;theworldoffashionand，theworldofstage——thesewerebutincidents。Notthem，butthat，whichtheyrepresented，shelongedfor。Timeprovedthe，representationfalse。

Oh，thetangleofhumanlife！，Howdimlyasyetwesee。Herewas，Carrie，inthebeginningpoor，unsophisticated。emotional;

respondingwithdesiretoeverythingmostlovelyinlife，yet，findingherselfturnedasbyawall。Lawstosay：“Beallured，ifyouwill，byeverythinglovely，butdrawnotnighunlessby，righteousness。”Conventiontosay：“Youshallnotbetteryour，situationsavebyhonestlabour。”Ifhonestlabourbe，unremunerativeanddifficulttoendure;ifitbethelong，long，roadwhichneverreachesbeauty，butweariesthefeetandthe，heart;ifthedragtofollowbeautybesuchthatoneabandonsthe，admiredway，takingratherthedespisedpathleadingtoher，dreamsquickly，whoshallcastthefirststone？Notevil，but，longingforthatwhichisbetter，moreoftendirectsthestepsof，theerring。Notevil，butgoodnessmoreoftenalluresthe，feelingmindunusedtoreason。

AmidthetinselandshineofherstatewalkedCarrie，unhappy。

AswhenDrouettookher，shehadthought：“NowIamliftedinto，thatwhichisbest“;aswhenHurstwoodseeminglyofferedherthe，betterway：“NowamIhappy。”Butsincetheworldgoesitsway，pastallwhowillnotpartakeofitsfolly，shenowfoundherself，alone。Herpursewasopentohimwhoseneedwasgreatest。In，herwalksonBroadway，shenolongerthoughtoftheeleganceof，thecreatureswhopassedher。Hadtheymoreofthatpeaceand，beautywhichglimmeredafaroff，thenweretheytobeenvied。

Drouetabandonedhisclaimandwasseennomore。OfHurstwood’s，deathshewasnotevenaware。Aslow，blackboatsettingout，fromthepieratTwenty-seventhStreetuponitsweeklyerrand，bore，withmanyothers，hisnamelessbodytothePotter’sField。

Thuspassedallthatwasofinterestconcerningthesetwainin，theirrelationtoher。Theirinfluenceuponherlifeis，explicablealonebythenatureofherlongings。Timewaswhen，bothrepresentedforherallthatwasmostpotentinearthly，success。Theywerethepersonalrepresentativesofastatemost，blessedtoattain——thetitledambassadorsofcomfortandpeace，aglowwiththeircredentials。Itisbutnaturalthatwhenthe，worldwhichtheyrepresentednolongeralluredher，its，ambassadorsshouldbediscredited。EvenhadHurstwoodreturned，inhisoriginalbeautyandglory，hecouldnotnowhaveallured，her。Shehadlearnedthatinhisworld，asinherownpresent，state，wasnothappiness。

Sittingalone，shewasnowanillustrationofthedeviouswaysby，whichonewhofeels，ratherthanreasons，maybeledinthe，pursuitofbeauty。Thoughoftendisillusioned，shewasstill，waitingforthathalcyondaywhenshewouldbeledforthamong，dreamsbecomereal。Ameshadpointedoutafartherstep，buton，andonbeyondthat，ifaccomplished，wouldlieothersforher。

Itwasforevertobethepursuitofthatradianceofdelight，whichtintsthedistanthilltopsoftheworld。

Oh，Carrie，Carrie！Oh，blindstrivingsofthehumanheart！

Onwardonward，itsaith，andwherebeautyleads，thereit，follows。Whetheritbethetinkleofalonesheepbello’ersome，quietlandscape，ortheglimmerofbeautyinsylvanplaces，or，theshowofsoulinsomepassingeye，theheartknowsandmakes，answer，following。Itiswhenthefeetwearyandhopeseemsvain，thattheheartachesandthelongingsarise。Know，then，thatfor，youisneithersurfeitnorcontent。Inyourrocking-chair，by，yourwindowdreaming，shallyoulong，alone。Inyourrocking-

chair，byyourwindow，shallyoudreamsuchhappinessasyoumay，neverfeel。

TheEnd