Therewasagooddinnerintheflatthatevening，owingtothe，mereliftingoftheterriblestrain。Hurstwoodwentoutfora，shave，andreturnedwithafair-sizedsirloinsteak。
　　“Now，to-morrow，“hethought，“I’lllookaroundmyself，“andwith，renewedhopeheliftedhiseyesfromtheground。
　　OnthemorrowCarriereportedpromptlyandwasgivenaplacein，theline。Shesawalarge，empty，shadowyplay-house，still，redolentoftheperfumesandblazonryofthenight，andnotable，foritsrich，orientalappearance。Thewonderofitawedand，delightedher。Blessedbeitswondrousreality。Howhardshe，wouldtrytobeworthyofit。Itwasabovethecommonmass，aboveidleness，abovewant，aboveinsignificance。Peoplecameto，itinfineryandcarriagestosee。Itwaseveracentreoflight，andmirth。Andhereshewasofit。Oh，ifshecouldonly，remain，howhappywouldbeherdays！
　　“Whatisyourname？”saidthemanager，whowasconductingthe，drill。
　　“Madenda，“shereplied，instantlymindfulofthenameDrouethad，selectedinChicago。”CarrieMadenda。”
　　“Well，now，MissMadenda，“hesaid，veryaffably，asCarrie，thought，“yougooverthere。”
　　Thenhecalledtoayoungwomanwhowasalreadyofthecompany：
　　“MissClark，youpairwithMissMadenda。”
　　Thisyoungladysteppedforward，sothatCarriesawwheretogo，andtherehearsalbegan。
　　Carriesoonfoundthatwhilethisdrillinghadsomeslight，resemblancetotherehearsalsasconductedatAveryHall，the，attitudeofthemanagerwasmuchmorepronounced。Shehad，marvelledattheinsistenceandsuperiorairsofMr。Millice，but，theindividualconductingherehadthesameinsistence，coupled，withalmostbrutalroughness。Asthedrillingproceeded，he，seemedtowaxexceedinglywrothovertrifles，andtoincreasehis，lungpowerinproportion。Itwasveryevidentthathehada，greatcontemptforanyassumptionofdignityorinnocenceonthe，partoftheseyoungwomen。
　　“Clark，“hewouldcall——meaning，ofcourse，MissClark——“why，don’tyoucatchstepthere？”
　　“Byfours，right！Right，Isaid，right！Forheaven’ssake，geton，toyourself！Right！”andinsayingthishewouldliftthelast，soundsintoavehementroar。
　　“Maitland！Maitland！”hecalledonce。
　　Anervous，comely-dressedlittlegirlsteppedout。Carrie，trembledforheroutofthefulnessofherownsympathiesand，fear。
　　“Yes，sir，“saidMissMaitland。
　　“Isthereanythingthematterwithyourears？”
　　“No，sir。”
　　“Doyouknowwhat’columnleft’means？”
　　“Yes，sir。”
　　“Well，whatareyoustumblingaroundtherightfor？Wanttobreak，uptheline？”
　　“Iwasjust“
　　“Nevermindwhatyouwerejust。Keepyourearsopen。”
　　Carriepitied，andtrembledforherturn。
　　Yetanothersufferedthepainofpersonalrebuke。
　　“Holdonaminute，“criedthemanager，throwinguphishands，as，ifindespair。Hisdemeanourwasfierce。
　　“Elvers，“heshouted，“whathaveyougotinyourmouth？”
　　“Nothing，“saidMissElvers，whilesomesmiledandstood，nervouslyby。
　　“Well，areyoutalking？”
　　“No，sir。”
　　“Well，keepyourmouthstillthen。Now，alltogetheragain。”
　　AtlastCarrie’sturncame。Itwasbecauseofherextreme，anxietytodoallthatwasrequiredthatbroughtonthetrouble。
　　Sheheardsomeonecalled。
　　“Mason，“saidthevoice。”MissMason。”
　　Shelookedaroundtoseewhoitcouldbe。Agirlbehindshoved，heralittle，butshedidnotunderstand。
　　“You，you！”saidthemanager。”Can’tyouhear？”
　　“Oh，“saidCarrie，collapsing，andblushingfiercely。
　　“Isn’tyournameMason？”askedthemanager。
　　“No，sir，“saidCarrie，“it’sMadenda。”
　　“Well，what’sthematterwithyourfeet？Can’tyoudance？”
　　“Yes，sir，“saidCarrie，whohadlongsincelearnedthisart。
　　“Whydon’tyoudoitthen？Don’tgoshufflingalongasifyou，weredead。I’vegottohavepeoplewithlifeinthem。”
　　Carrie’scheekburnedwithacrimsonheat。Herlipstrembleda，little。
　　“Yes，sir，“shesaid。
　　Itwasthisconstanturging，coupledwithirascibilityand，energy，forthreelonghours。Carriecameawaywornenoughin，body，buttooexcitedinmindtonoticeit。Shemeanttogohome，andpractiseherevolutionsasprescribed。Shewouldnoterrin，anyway，ifshecouldhelpit。
　　WhenshereachedtheflatHurstwoodwasnotthere。Forawonder，hewasoutlookingforwork，asshesupposed。Shetookonlya，mouthfultoeatandthenpractisedon，sustainedbyvisionsof，freedomfromfinancialdistress——“Thesoundofgloryringingin，herears。”
　　WhenHurstwoodreturnedhewasnotsoelatedaswhenhewent，away，andnowshewasobligedtodroppracticeandgetdinner。
　　Herewasanearlyirritation。Shewouldhaveherworkandthis。
　　Wasshegoingtoactandkeephouse？
　　“I’llnotdoit，“shesaid，“afterIgetstarted。Hecantake，hismealsout。”
　　Eachdaythereafterbroughtitscares。Shefounditwasnotsuch，awonderfulthingtobeinthechorus，andshealsolearnedthat，hersalarywouldbetwelvedollarsaweek。Afterafewdaysshe，hadherfirstsightofthosehighandmighties——theleading，ladiesandgentlemen。Shesawthattheywereprivilegedand，deferredto。Shewasnothing——absolutelynothingatall。
　　AthomewasHurstwood，dailygivinghercauseforthought。He，seemedtogetnothingtodo，andyethemadeboldtoinquirehow，shewasgettingalong。Theregularitywithwhichhedidthis，smackedofsomeonewhowaswaitingtoliveuponherlabour。Now，thatshehadavisiblemeansofsupport，thisirritatedher。He，seemedtobedependinguponherlittletwelvedollars。
　　“Howareyougettingalong？”hewouldblandlyinquire。
　　“Oh，allright，“shewouldreply。
　　“Finditeasy？”
　　“ItwillbeallrightwhenIgetusedtoit。”
　　Hispaperwouldthenengrosshisthoughts。
　　“Igotsomelard，“hewouldadd，asanafterthought。”Ithought，maybeyoumightwanttomakesomebiscuit。”
　　Thecalmsuggestionofthemanastonishedheralittle，especiallyinthelightofrecentdevelopments。Herdawning，independencegavehermorecouragetoobserve，andshefeltasif，shewantedtosaythings。Stillshecouldnottalktohimasshe，hadtoDrouet。Therewassomethingintheman’smannerofwhich，shehadalwaysstoodinawe。Heseemedtohavesomeinvisible，strengthinreserve。
　　Oneday，afterherfirstweek’srehearsal，whatsheexpectedcame，openlytothesurface。
　　“We’llhavetoberathersaving，“hesaid，layingdownsomemeat，hehadpurchased。”Youwon’tgetanymoneyforaweekorso，yet。”
　　“No，“saidCarrie，whowasstirringapanatthestove。
　　“I’veonlygottherentandthirteendollarsmore，“headded。
　　“That’sit，“shesaidtoherself。”I’mtousemymoneynow。”
　　Instantlysherememberedthatshehadhopedtobuyafewthings，forherself。Sheneededclothes。Herhatwasnotnice。
　　“Whatwilltwelvedollarsdotowardskeepingupthisflat？”she，thought。”Ican’tdoit。Whydoesn’thegetsomethingtodo？”
　　Theimportantnightofthefirstrealperformancecame。Shedid，notsuggesttoHurstwoodthathecomeandsee。Hedidnotthink，ofgoing。Itwouldonlybemoneywasted。Shehadsuchasmall，part。
　　Theadvertisementswerealreadyinthepapers;thepostersupon，thebill-boards。Theleadingladyandmanymemberswerecited。
　　Carriewasnothing。
　　AsinChicago，shewasseizedwithstagefrightastheveryfirst，entranceoftheballetapproached，butlatersherecovered。The，apparentandpainfulinsignificanceoftheparttookfearaway，fromher。Shefeltthatshewassoobscureitdidnotmatter。
　　Fortunately，shedidnothavetoweartights。Agroupoftwelve，wereassignedprettygolden-huedskirtswhichcameonlytoaline，aboutaninchabovetheknee。Carriehappenedtobeoneofthe，twelve。
　　Instandingaboutthestage，marching，andoccasionallylifting，uphervoiceinthegeneralchorus，shehadachancetoobserve，theaudienceandtoseetheinaugurationofagreathit。There，wasplentyofapplause，butshecouldnothelpnotinghowpoorly，someofthewomenofallegedabilitydid。
　　“Icoulddobetterthanthat，“Carrieventuredtoherself，in，severalinstances。Todoherjustice，shewasright。
　　Afteritwasovershedressedquickly，andasthemanagerhad，scoldedsomeothersandpassedher，sheimaginedshemusthave，provedsatisfactory。Shewantedtogetoutquickly，becauseshe，knewbutfew，andthestarsweregossiping。Outsidewere，carriagesandsomecorrectyouthsinattractiveclothing，waiting。Carriesawthatshewasscannedclosely。Theflutter，ofaneyelashwouldhavebroughtheracompanion。Thatshedid，notgive。
　　Oneexperiencedyouthvolunteered，anyhow。
　　“Notgoinghomealone，areyou？”hesaid。
　　CarriemerelyhastenedherstepsandtooktheSixthAvenuecar。
　　Herheadwassofullofthewonderofitthatshehadtimefor，nothingelse。
　　“Didyouhearanymorefromthebrewery？”sheaskedattheendof，theweek，hopingbythequestiontostirhimontoaction。
　　“No，“heanswered，“they’renotquitereadyyet。Ithink，somethingwillcomeofthat，though。”
　　Shesaidnothingmorethen，objectingtogivingupherownmoney，andyetfeelingthatsuchwouldhavetobethecase。Hurstwood，feltthecrisis，andartfullydecidedtoappealtoCarrie。He，hadlongsincerealisedhowgood-naturedshewas，howmuchshe，wouldstand。Therewassomelittleshameinhimatthethought，ofdoingso，buthejustifiedhimselfwiththethoughtthathe，reallywouldgetsomething。Rentdaygavehimhisopportunity。
　　“Well，“hesaid，ashecounteditout，“that’saboutthelastof，mymoney。I’llhavetogetsomethingprettysoon。”
　　Carrielookedathimaskance，half-suspiciousofanappeal。
　　“IfIcouldonlyholdoutalittlelongerIthinkIcouldget，something。DrakeissuretoopenahotelhereinSeptember。”
　　“Ishe？”saidCarrie，thinkingoftheshortmonththatstill，remaineduntilthattime。
　　“Wouldyoumindhelpingmeoutuntilthen？”hesaidappealingly。
　　“IthinkI’llbeallrightafterthattime。”
　　“No，“saidCarrie，feelingsadlyhandicappedbyfate。
　　“Wecangetalongifweeconomise。I’llpayyoubackallright。”
　　“Oh，I’llhelpyou，“saidCarrie，feelingquitehardheartedat，thusforcinghimtohumblyappeal，andyetherdesireforthe，benefitofherearningswrungafaintprotestfromher。
　　“Whydon’tyoutakeanything，George，temporarily？”shesaid。
　　“Whatdifferencedoesitmake？Maybe，afterawhile，you’llget，somethingbetter。”
　　“Iwilltakeanything，“hesaid，relieved，andwincingunder，reproof。”I’djustasleavedigonthestreets。Nobodyknowsme，here。”
　　“Oh，youneedn’tdothat，“saidCarrie，hurtbythepityofit。
　　“Buttheremustbeotherthings。”
　　“I’llgetsomething！”hesaid，assumingdetermination。
　　Thenhewentbacktohispaper。
　　ChapterXXXIX
　　OFLIGHTSANDOFSHADOWS——THEPARTINGOFWORLDS
　　WhatHurstwoodgotastheresultofthisdeterminationwasmore，self-assurancethateachparticulardaywasnottheday。Atthe，sametime，Carriepassedthroughthirtydaysofmentaldistress。
　　Herneedofclothes——tosaynothingofherdesireforornaments——
　　grewrapidlyasthefactdevelopedthatforallherworkshewas，nottohavethem。ThesympathyshefeltforHurstwood，atthe，timeheaskedhertotidehimover，vanishedwiththesenewer，urgingsofdecency。Hewasnotalwaysrenewinghisrequest，but，thisloveofgoodappearancewas。Itinsisted，andCarriewished，tosatisfyit，wishedmoreandmorethatHurstwoodwasnotinthe，way。
　　Hurstwoodreasoned，whenhenearedthelasttendollars，thathe，hadbetterkeepalittlepocketchangeandnotbecomewholly，dependentforcar-fare，shaves，andthelike;sowhenthissum，wasstillinhishandheannouncedhimselfaspenniless。
　　“I’mclearout，“hesaidtoCarrieoneafternoon。”Ipaidfor，somecoalthismorning，andthattookallbuttenorfifteen，cents。”
　　“I’vegotsomemoneythereinmypurse。”
　　Hurstwoodwenttogetit，startingforacanoftomatoes。Carrie，scarcelynoticedthatthiswasthebeginningoftheneworder。
　　Hetookoutfifteencentsandboughtthecanwithit。Thereafter，itwasdribsanddrabsofthissort，untilonemorningCarrie，suddenlyrememberedthatshewouldnotbebackuntilcloseto，dinnertime。
　　“We’realloutofflour，“shesaid;“you’dbettergetsomethis，afternoon。Wehaven’tanymeat，either。Howwoulditdoifwe，hadliverandbacon？”
　　“Suitsme，“saidHurstwood。
　　“Bettergetahalforthree-quartersofapoundofthat。”
　　“Half’llbeenough，“volunteeredHurstwood。
　　Sheopenedherpurseandlaiddownahalfdollar。Hepretended，nottonoticeit。
　　Hurstwoodboughttheflour——whichallgrocerssoldin31/2-pound，packages——forthirteencentsandpaidfifteencentsforahalf-
　　poundofliverandbacon。Heleftthepackages，togetherwith，thebalanceoftwenty-twocents，uponthekitchentable，where，Carriefoundit。Itdidnotescapeherthatthechangewas，accurate。Therewassomethingsadinrealisingthat，afterall，allthathewantedofherwassomethingtoeat。Shefeltasif，hardthoughtswereunjust。Maybehewouldgetsomethingyet。He，hadnovices。
　　Thatveryevening，however，ongoingintothetheatre，oneofthe，chorusgirlspassedherallnewlyarrayedinaprettymottled，tweedsuit，whichtookCarrie’seye。Theyoungwomanworeafine，bunchofvioletsandseemedinhighspirits。Shesmiledat，Carriegood-naturedlyasshepassed，showingpretty，eventeeth，andCarriesmiledback。
　　“Shecanaffordtodresswell，“thoughtCarrie，“andsocouldI，ifIcouldonlykeepmymoney。Ihaven’tadecenttieofany，kindtowear。”
　　Sheputoutherfootandlookedathershoereflectively。
　　“I’llgetapairofshoesSaturday，anyhow;Idon’tcarewhat，happens。”
　　Oneofthesweetestandmostsympatheticlittlechorusgirlsin，thecompanymadefriendswithherbecauseinCarrieshefound，nothingtofrightenheraway。ShewasagaylittleManon，unwittingofsociety’sfierceconceptionofmorality，but，nevertheless，goodtoherneighbourandcharitable。Little，licensewasallowedthechorusinthematterofconversation，but，nevertheless，somewasindulgedin。
　　“It’swarmto-night，isn’tit？”saidthisgirl，arrayedinpink，fleshingsandanimitationgoldenhelmet。Shealsocarrieda，shiningshield。
　　“Yes;itis，“saidCarrie，pleasedthatsomeoneshouldtalkto，her。
　　“I’malmostroasting，“saidthegirl。
　　Carrielookedintoherprettyface，withitslargeblueeyes，and，sawlittlebeadsofmoisture。
　　“There’smoremarchinginthisoperathaneverIdidbefore，“
　　addedthegirl。
　　“Haveyoubeeninothers？”askedCarrie，surprisedather，experience。
　　“Lotsofthem，“saidthegirl;“haven’tyou？”
　　“Thisismyfirstexperience。”
　　“Oh，isit？IthoughtIsawyouthetimetheyran’TheQueen’s，Mate’here。”
　　“No，“saidCarrie，shakingherhead;“notme。”
　　Thisconversationwasinterruptedbytheblareoftheorchestra，andthesputteringofthecalciumlightsinthewingsastheline，wascalledtoformforanewentrance。Nofurtheropportunity，forconversationoccurred，butthenextevening，whentheywere，gettingreadyforthestage，thisgirlappearedanewatherside。
　　“Theysaythisshowisgoingontheroadnextmonth。”
　　“Isit？”saidCarrie。
　　“Yes;doyouthinkyou’llgo？”
　　“Idon’tknow;Iguessso，ifthey’lltakeme。”
　　“Oh，they’lltakeyou。Iwouldn’tgo。Theywon’tgiveyouany，more，anditwillcostyoueverythingyoumaketolive。Inever，leaveNewYork。Therearetoomanyshowsgoingonhere。”
　　“Canyoualwaysgetinanothershow？”
　　“Ialwayshave。There’sonegoingonupattheBroadwaythis，month。I’mgoingtotryandgetinthatifthisonereally，goes。”
　　Carrieheardthiswitharousedintelligence。Evidentlyitwasn’t，soverydifficulttogeton。Maybeshealsocouldgetaplaceif，thisshowwentaway。
　　“Dotheyallpayaboutthesame？”sheasked。
　　“Yes。Sometimesyougetalittlemore。Thisshowdoesn’tpay，verymuch。”
　　“Igettwelve，“saidCarrie。
　　“Doyou？”saidthegirl。”Theypaymefifteen，andyoudomore，workthanIdo。Iwouldn’tstanditifIwereyou。They’rejust，givingyoulessbecausetheythinkyoudon’tknow。Yououghtto，bemakingfifteen。”
　　“Well，I’mnot，“saidCarrie。
　　“Well，you’llgetmoreatthenextplaceifyouwantit，“wenton，thegirl，whoadmiredCarrieverymuch。”Youdofine，andthe，managerknowsit。”
　　Tosaythetruth，Carriedidunconsciouslymoveaboutwithanair，pleasingandsomewhatdistinctive。Itwasduewhollytoher，naturalmannerandtotallackofself-consciousness。
　　“DoyousupposeIcouldgetmoreupattheBroadway？”
　　“Ofcourseyoucan，“answeredthegirl。”YoucomewithmewhenI
　　go。I’lldothetalking。”
　　Carrieheardthis，flushingwiththankfulness。Shelikedthis，littlegaslightsoldier。Sheseemedsoexperiencedandself-
　　reliantinhertinselhelmetandmilitaryaccoutrements。
　　“MyfuturemustbeassuredifIcanalwaysgetworkthisway，“
　　thoughtCarrie。
　　Still，inthemorning，whenherhouseholddutieswouldinfringe，uponherandHurstwoodsatthere，aperfectloadtocontemplate，herfateseemeddismalandunrelieved。Itdidnottakesovery，muchtofeedthemunderHurstwood’sclose-measuredbuying，and，therewouldpossiblybeenoughforrent，butitleftnothing，else。Carrieboughttheshoesandsomeotherthings，which，complicatedtherentproblemveryseriously。Suddenly，aweek，fromthefatalday，Carrierealisedthattheyweregoingtorun，short。
　　“Idon’tbelieve，“sheexclaimed，lookingintoherpurseat，breakfast，“thatI’llhaveenoughtopaytherent。”
　　“Howmuchhaveyou？”inquiredHurstwood。
　　“Well，I’vegottwenty-twodollars，butthere’severythingtobe，paidforthisweekyet，andifIuseallIgetSaturdaytopay，this，therewon’tbeanyleftfornextweek。Doyouthinkyour，hotelmanwillopenhishotelthismonth？”
　　“Ithinkso，“returnedHurstwood。”Hesaidhewould。”
　　Afterawhile，Hurstwoodsaid：
　　“Don’tworryaboutit。Maybethegrocerwillwait。Hecando，that。We’vetradedtherelongenoughtomakehimtrustusfora，weekortwo。”
　　“Doyouthinkhewill？”sheasked。
　　“Ithinkso。”
　　Onthisaccount，Hurstwood，thisveryday，lookedgrocerOeslogge，clearlyintheeyeasheorderedapoundofcoffee，andsaid：
　　“Doyoumindcarryingmyaccountuntiltheendofeveryweek？”
　　“No，no，Mr。Wheeler，“saidMr。Oeslogge。”Datissallright。”
　　Hurstwood，stilltactfulindistress，addednothingtothis。It，seemedaneasything。Helookedoutofthedoor，andthen，gathereduphiscoffeewhenreadyandcameaway。Thegameofa，desperatemanhadbegun。
　　Rentwaspaid，andnowcamethegrocer。Hurstwoodmanagedby，payingoutofhisowntenandcollectingfromCarrieattheend，oftheweek。Thenhedelayedadaynexttimesettlingwiththe，grocer，andsosoonhadhistenback，withOesloggegettinghis，payonthisThursdayorFridayforlastSaturday’sbill。
　　ThisentanglementmadeCarrieanxiousforachangeofsomesort。
　　Hurstwooddidnotseemtorealisethatshehadarightto，anything。Heschemedtomakewhatsheearnedcoverallexpenses，butseemednottotroubleoveraddinganythinghimself。
　　“Hetalksaboutworrying，“thoughtCarrie。”Ifheworriedenough，hecouldn’tsitthereandwaitforme。He’dgetsomethingtodo。
　　Nomancouldgosevenmonthswithoutfindingsomethingifhe，tried。”
　　Thesightofhimalwaysaroundinhisuntidyclothesandgloomy，appearancedroveCarrietoseekreliefinotherplaces。Twicea，weektherewerematinees，andthenHurstwoodateacoldsnack，whichhepreparedhimself。Twootherdaystherewererehearsals，beginningatteninthemorningandlastingusuallyuntilone。
　　Now，tothisCarrieaddedafewvisitstooneortwochorus，girls，includingtheblue-eyedsoldierofthegoldenhelmet。She，diditbecauseitwaspleasantandarelieffromdulnessofthe，homeoverwhichherhusbandbrooded。
　　Theblue-eyedsoldier’snamewasOsborne——LolaOsborne。Herroom，wasinNineteenthStreetnearFourthAvenue，ablocknowgivenup，whollytoofficebuildings。Hereshehadacomfortableback，room，lookingoveracollectionofbackyardsinwhichgrewa，numberofshadetreespleasanttosee。
　　“Isn’tyourhomeinNewYork？”sheaskedofLolaoneday。
　　“Yes;butIcan’tgetalongwithmypeople。Theyalwayswantme，todowhattheywant。Doyoulivehere？”
　　“Yes，“saidCarrie。
　　“Withyourfamily？”
　　Carriewasashamedtosaythatshewasmarried。Shehadtalked，somuchaboutgettingmoresalaryandconfessedtosomuch，anxietyaboutherfuture，thatnow，whenthedirectquestionof，factwaswaiting，shecouldnottellthisgirl。
　　“Withsomerelatives，“sheanswered。
　　MissOsbornetookitforgrantedthat，likeherself，Carrie’s，timewasherown。Sheinvariablyaskedhertostay，proposing，littleoutingsandotherthingsofthatsortuntilCarriebegan，neglectingherdinnerhours。Hurstwoodnoticedit，butfeltin，nopositiontoquarrelwithher。Severaltimesshecamesolate，asscarcelytohaveanhourinwhichtopatchupamealandstart，forthetheatre。
　　“Doyourehearseintheafternoons？”Hurstwoodonceasked，concealingalmostcompletelythecynicalprotestandregretwhich，promptedit。
　　“No;Iwaslookingaroundforanotherplace，“saidCarrie。
　　Asamatteroffactshewas，butonlyinsuchawayasfurnished，theleaststrawofanexcuse。MissOsborneandshehadgoneto，theofficeofthemanagerwhowastoproducethenewoperaatthe，Broadwayandreturnedstraighttotheformer’sroom，wherethey，hadbeensincethreeo’clock。
　　Carriefeltthisquestiontobeaninfringementonherliberty。
　　Shedidnottakeintoaccounthowmuchlibertyshewassecuring。
　　Onlythelateststep，thenewestfreedom，mustnotbequestioned。
　　Hurstwoodsawitallclearlyenough。Hewasshrewdafterhis，kind，andyettherewasenoughdecencyinthemantostophim，frommakinganyeffectualprotest。Inhisalmostinexplicable，apathyhewascontenttodroopsupinelywhileCarriedriftedout，ofhislife，justashewaswillingsupinelytoseeopportunity，passbeyondhiscontrol。Hecouldnothelpclingingand，protestinginamild，irritating，andineffectualway，however——a，waythatsimplywidenedthebreachbyslowdegrees。
　　Afurtherenlargementofthischasmbetweenthemcamewhenthe，manager，lookingbetweenthewingsuponthebrightlylighted，stagewherethechoruswasgoingthroughsomeofitsglittering，evolutions，saidtothemasteroftheballet：
　　“Whoisthatfourthgirlthereontheright——theonecominground，attheendnow？”
　　“Oh，“saidtheballet-master，“that’sMissMadenda。”
　　“She’sgoodlooking。Whydon’tyouletherheadthatline？”
　　“Iwill，“saidtheman。
　　“Justdothat。She’lllookbettertherethanthewomanyou’ve，got。”
　　“Allright。Iwilldothat，“saidthemaster。
　　ThenexteveningCarriewascalledout，muchasifforanerror。
　　“Youleadyourcompanytonight，“saidthemaster。
　　“Yes，sir，“saidCarrie。
　　“Putsnapintoit，“headded。”Wemusthavesnap。”
　　“Yes，sir，“repliedCarrie。
　　Astonishedatthischange，shethoughtthattheheretoforeleader，mustbeill;butwhenshesawherintheline，withadistinct，expressionofsomethingunfavourableinhereye，shebeganto，thinkthatperhapsitwasmerit。
　　Shehadachicwayoftossingherheadtooneside，andholding，herarmsasifforaction——notlistlessly。Infrontoftheline，thisshowedupevenmoreeffectually。
　　“Thatgirlknowshowtocarryherself，“saidthemanager，another，evening。Hebegantothinkthatheshouldliketotalkwithher。
　　Ifhehadn’tmadeitaruletohavenothingtodowiththe，membersofthechorus，hewouldhaveapproachedhermost，unbendingly。
　　“Putthatgirlattheheadofthewhitecolumn，“hesuggestedto，themaninchargeoftheballet。
　　Thiswhitecolumnconsistedofsometwentygirls，allinsnow-
　　whiteflanneltrimmedwithsilverandblue。Itsleaderwasmost，stunninglyarrayedinthesamecolours，elaborated，however，with，epauletsandabeltofsilver，withashortsworddanglingatone，side。Carriewasfittedforthiscostume，andafewdayslater，appeared，proudofhernewlaurels。Shewasespeciallygratified，tofindthathersalarywasnoweighteeninsteadoftwelve。
　　Hurstwoodheardnothingaboutthis。
　　“I’llnotgivehimtherestofmymoney，“saidCarrie。”Ido，enough。Iamgoingtogetmesomethingtowear。”
　　Asamatteroffact，duringthissecondmonthshehadbeenbuying，forherselfasrecklesslyasshedared，regardlessofthe，consequences。Therewereimpendingmorecomplicationsrentday，andmoreextensionofthecreditsystemintheneighbourhood。
　　Now，however，sheproposedtodobetterbyherself。
　　Herfirstmovewastobuyashirtwaist，andinstudyingthese，shefoundhowlittlehermoneywouldbuy——howmuch，ifshecould，onlyuseall。Sheforgotthatifshewerealoneshewouldhave，topayforaroomandboard，andimaginedthateverycentofher，eighteencouldbespentforclothesandthingsthatsheliked。
　　Atlastshepickeduponsomething，whichnotonlyusedupallher，surplusabovetwelve，butinvadedthatsum。Sheknewshewas，goingtoofar，butherfeminineloveoffineryprevailed。The，nextdayHurstwoodsaid：
　　“Weowethegrocerfivedollarsandfortycentsthisweek。”
　　“Dowe？”saidCarrie，frowningalittle。
　　Shelookedinherpursetoleaveit。
　　“I’veonlygoteightdollarsandtwentycentsaltogether。”
　　“Weowethemilkmansixtycents，“addedHurstwood。
　　“Yes，andthere’sthecoalman，“saidCarrie。
　　Hurstwoodsaidnothing。Hehadseenthenewthingsshewas，buying;thewayshewasneglectinghouseholdduties;the，readinesswithwhichshewasslippingoutafternoonsandstaying。
　　Hefeltthatsomethingwasgoingtohappen。Allatonceshe，spoke：
　　“Idon’tknow，“shesaid;“Ican’tdoitall。Idon’tearn，enough。”
　　Thiswasadirectchallenge。Hurstwoodhadtotakeitup。He，triedtobecalm。
　　“Idon’twantyoutodoitall，“hesaid。”Ionlywantalittle，helpuntilIcangetsomethingtodo。”
　　“Oh，yes，“answeredCarrie。”That’salwaystheway。Ittakes，morethanIcanearntopayforthings。Idon’tseewhatI’m，goingtodo。
　　“Well，I’vetriedtogetsomething，“heexclaimed。Whatdoyou，wantmetodo？”
　　“Youcouldn’thavetriedsoveryhard，“saidCarrie。”Igot，something。”
　　“Well，Idid，“hesaid，angeredalmosttoharshwords。”You，needn’tthrowupyoursuccesstome。AllIaskedwasalittle，helpuntilIcouldgetsomething。I’mnotdownyet。I’llcome，upallright。”
　　Hetriedtospeaksteadily，buthisvoicetrembledalittle。
　　Carrie’sangermeltedontheinstant。Shefeltashamed。
　　“Well，“shesaid，“here’sthemoney，“andemptieditoutonthe，table。”Ihaven’tgotquiteenoughtopayitall。Iftheycan，waituntilSaturday，though，I’llhavesomemore。”
　　“Youkeepit，“saidHurstwoodsadly。”Ionlywantenoughtopay，thegrocer。”
　　Sheputitback，andproceededtogetdinnerearlyandingood，time。Herlittlebravadomadeherfeelasifsheoughttomake，amends。
　　Inalittlewhiletheiroldthoughtsreturnedtoboth。
　　“She’smakingmorethanshesays，“thoughtHurstwood。”Shesays，she’smakingtwelve，butthatwouldn’tbuyallthosethings。I
　　don’tcare。Letherkeephermoney。I’llgetsomethingagain，oneofthesedays。Thenshecangotothedeuce。”
　　Heonlysaidthisinhisanger，butitprefiguredapossible，courseofactionandattitudewellenough。
　　“Idon’tcare，“thoughtCarrie。”Heoughttobetoldtogetout，anddosomething。Itisn’trightthatIshouldsupporthim。”
　　InthesedaysCarriewasintroducedtoseveralyouths，friendsof，MissOsborne，whowereofthekindmostaptlydescribedasgay，andfestive。TheycalledoncetogetMissOsborneforan，afternoondrive。Carriewaswithheratthetime。
　　“Comeandgoalong，“saidLola。
　　“No，Ican’t，“saidCarrie。
　　“Oh，yes，comeandgo。Whathaveyougottodo？”
　　“Ihavetobehomebyfive，“saidCarrie。
　　“Whatfor？”
　　“Oh，dinner。”
　　“They’lltakeustodinner，“saidLola。
　　“Oh，no，“saidCarrie。”Iwon’tgo。Ican’t。”
　　“Oh，docome。They’reawfulniceboys。We’llgetyoubackin，time。We’reonlygoingforadriveinCentralPark。”
　　Carriethoughtawhile，andatlastyielded。
　　“Now，Imustbebackbyhalf-pastfour，“shesaid。
　　TheinformationwentinoneearofLolaandouttheother。
　　AfterDrouetandHurstwood，therewastheleasttouchofcynicism，inherattitudetowardyoungmen——especiallyofthegayand，frivoloussort。Shefeltalittleolderthanthey。Someof，theirprettycomplimentsseemedsilly。Still，shewasyoungin，heartandbodyandyouthappealedtoher。
　　“Oh，we’llberightback，MissMadenda，“saidoneofthechaps，bowing。”Youwouldn’tthinkwe’dkeepyouovertime，now，would，you？”
　　“Well，Idon’tknow，“saidCarrie，smiling。
　　Theywereoffforadrive——she，lookingaboutandnoticingfine，clothing，theyoungmenvoicingthosesillypleasantriesandweak，quipswhichpassforhumourincoycircles。Carriesawthegreat，parkparadeofcarriages，beginningattheFifty-ninthStreet，entranceandwindingpasttheMuseumofArttotheexitatOne，HundredandTenthStreetandSeventhAvenue。Hereyewasonce，moretakenbytheshowofwealth——theelaboratecostumes，elegant，harnesses，spiritedhorses，and，aboveall，thebeauty。Once，moretheplagueofpovertygalledher，butnowsheforgotina，measureherowntroublessofarastoforgetHurstwood。He，waiteduntilfour，five，andevensix。Itwasgettingdarkwhen，hegotupoutofhischair。
　　“Iguesssheisn’tcominghome，“hesaid，grimly。
　　“That’stheway，“hethought。”She’sgettingastartnow。I’m，outofit。”
　　Carriehadreallydiscoveredherneglect，butonlyataquarter，afterfive，andtheopencarriagewasnowfarupSeventhAvenue，neartheHarlemRiver。
　　“Whattimeisit？”sheinquired。”Imustbegettingback。”
　　“Aquarterafterfive，“saidhercompanion，consultingan，elegant，open-facedwatch。
　　“Oh，dearme！”exclaimedCarrie。Thenshesettledbackwitha，sigh。”There’snousecryingoverspiltmilk，“shesaid。”It’s，toolate。”
　　“Ofcourseitis，“saidtheyouth，whosawvisionsofafine，dinnernow，andsuchinvigoratingtalkaswouldresultina，reunionaftertheshow。HewasgreatlytakenwithCarrie。
　　“We’lldrivedowntoDelmonico’snowandhavesomethingthere，won’twe，Orrin？”
　　“Tobesure，“repliedOrrin，gaily。
　　CarriethoughtofHurstwood。Neverbeforehadsheneglected，dinnerwithoutanexcuse。
　　Theydroveback，andat6。15satdowntodine。ItwastheSherry，incidentoveragain，theremembranceofwhichcamepainfullyback，toCarrie。SherememberedMrs。Vance，whohadnevercalledagain，afterHurstwood’sreception，andAmes。
　　Atthisfigurehermindhalted。Itwasastrong，cleanvision。
　　Helikedbetterbooksthansheread，betterpeoplethanshe，associatedwith。Hisidealsburnedinherheart。
　　“It’sfinetobeagoodactress，“camedistinctlyback。
　　Whatsortofanactresswasshe？
　　“Whatareyouthinkingabout，MissMadenda？”inquiredhermerry，companion。”Come，now，let’sseeifIcanguess。”
　　“Oh，no，“saidCarrie。”Don’ttry。”
　　Sheshookitoffandate。Sheforgot，inpart，andwasmerry。
　　Whenitcametotheafter-theatreproposition，however，sheshook，herhead。
　　“No，“shesaid，“Ican’t。Ihaveapreviousengagement。”
　　“Oh，now，MissMadenda，“pleadedtheyouth。
　　“No，“saidCarrie，“Ican’t。You’vebeensokind，butyou’ll，havetoexcuseme。”
　　Theyouthlookedexceedinglycrestfallen。
　　“Cheerup，oldman，“whisperedhiscompanion。”We’llgoaround，anyhow。Shemaychangehermind。”
　　ChapterXL
　　APUBLICDISSENSION——AFINALAPPEAL
　　Therewasnoafter-theatrelark，however，sofarasCarriewas，concerned。Shemadeherwayhomeward，thinkingabouther，absence。Hurstwoodwasasleep，butrouseduptolookasshe，passedthroughtoherownbed。
　　“Isthatyou？”hesaid。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。
　　Thenextmorningatbreakfastshefeltlikeapologising。
　　“Icouldn’tgethomelastevening，“shesaid。
　　“Ah，Carrie，“heanswered，“what’stheusesayingthat？Idon’t，care。Youneedn’ttellmethat，though。”
　　“Icouldn’t，“saidCarrie，hercolourrising。Then，seeingthat，helookedasifhesaid“Iknow，“sheexclaimed：“Oh，allright。
　　Idon’tcare。”
　　Fromnowon，herindifferencetotheflatwasevengreater。
　　Thereseemednocommongroundonwhichtheycouldtalktoone，another。Sheletherselfbeaskedforexpenses。Itbecameso，withhimthathehatedtodoit。Hepreferredstandingoffthe，butcherandbaker。Heranupagrocerybillofsixteendollars，withOeslogge，layinginasupplyofstaplearticles，sothat，theywouldnothavetobuyanyofthosethingsforsometimeto，come。Thenhechangedhisgrocery。Itwasthesamewiththe，butcherandseveralothers。Carrieneverheardanythingofthis，directlyfromhim。
　　Heaskedforsuchashecouldexpect，driftingfartherand，fartherintoasituationwhichcouldhavebutoneending。
　　Inthisfashion，Septemberwentby。
　　“Isn’tMr。Drakegoingtoopenhishotel？”Carrieaskedseveral，times。
　　“Yes。Hewon’tdoitbeforeOctober，though，now。”
　　Carriebecamedisgusted。”Suchaman，“shesaidtoherself，frequently。Moreandmoreshevisited。Sheputmostofher，sparemoneyinclothes，which，afterall，wasnotanastonishing，amount。Atlasttheoperashewaswithannounceditsdeparture，withinfourweeks。”LasttwoweeksoftheGreatComicOpera，success——The——，“etc。wasuponallbillboardsandin，thenewspapers，beforesheacted。
　　“I’mnotgoingoutontheroad，“saidMissOsborne。
　　Carriewentwithhertoapplytoanothermanager。
　　“Everhadanyexperience？”wasoneofhisquestions。
　　“I’mwiththecompanyattheCasinonow。”
　　“Oh，youare？”hesaid。
　　Theendofthiswasanotherengagementattwentyperweek。
　　Carriewasdelighted。Shebegantofeelthatshehadaplacein，theworld。Peoplerecognisedability。
　　Sochangedwasherstatethatthehomeatmospherebecame，intolerable。Itwasallpovertyandtroublethere，orseemedto，be，becauseitwasaloadtobear。Itbecameaplacetokeep，awayfrom。Stillshesleptthere，anddidafairamountofwork，keepingitinorder。ItwasasittingplaceforHurstwood。He，satandrocked，rockedandread，envelopedinthegloomofhis，ownfate。Octoberwentby，andNovember。Itwasthedeadof，winteralmostbeforeheknewit，andtherehesat。
　　Carriewasdoingbetter，thatheknew。Herclotheswereimproved，now，evenfine。Hesawhercomingandgoing，sometimespicturing，tohimselfherrise。Littleeatinghadthinnedhimsomewhat。He，hadnoappetite。Hisclothes，too，wereapoorman’sclothes。
　　Talkaboutgettingsomethinghadbecomeeventoothreadbareand，ridiculousforhim。Sohefoldedhishandsandwaited——forwhat，hecouldnotanticipate。
　　Atlast，however，troublesbecametoothick。Thehoundingof，creditors，theindifferenceofCarrie，thesilenceoftheflat，andpresenceofwinter，alljoinedtoproduceaclimax。Itwas，effectedbythearrivalofOeslogge，personally，whenCarriewas，there。
　　“Icallaboutmybill，“saidMr。Oeslogge。
　　Carriewasonlyfaintlysurprised。
　　“Howmuchisit？”sheasked。
　　“Sixteendollars，“hereplied。
　　“Oh，thatmuch？”saidCarrie。”Isthisright？”sheasked，turningtoHurstwood。
　　“Yes，“hesaid。
　　“Well，Ineverheardanythingaboutit。”
　　Shelookedasifshethoughthehadbeencontractingsome，needlessexpense。
　　“Well，wehaditallright，“heanswered。Thenhewenttothe，door。”Ican’tpayyouanythingonthatto-day，“hesaid，mildly。
　　“Well，whencanyou？”saidthegrocer。
　　“NotbeforeSaturday，anyhow，“saidHurstwood。
　　“Huh！”returnedthegrocer。”Thisisfine。Imusthavethat。I
　　needthemoney。”
　　Carriewasstandingfartherbackintheroom，hearingitall。
　　Shewasgreatlydistressed。Itwassobadandcommonplace。
　　Hurstwoodwasannoyedalso。
　　“Well，“hesaid，“there’snousetalkingaboutitnow。Ifyou’ll，comeinSaturday，I’llpayyousomethingonit。”
　　Thegrocerymanwentaway。
　　“Howarewegoingtopayit？”askedCarrie，astonishedbythe，bill。”Ican’tdoit。”
　　“Well，youdon’thaveto，“hesaid。”Hecan’tgetwhathecan’t，get。He’llhavetowait。”
　　“Idon’tseehowweranupsuchabillasthat，“saidCarrie。
　　“Well，weateit，“saidHurstwood。
　　“It’sfunny，“shereplied，stilldoubting。
　　“What’stheuseofyourstandingthereandtalkinglikethat，now？”heasked。”DoyouthinkI’vehaditalone？Youtalkasif，I’dtakensomething。”
　　“Well，it’stoomuch，anyhow，“saidCarrie。”Ioughtn’ttobe，madetopayforit。I’vegotmorethanIcanpayfornow。”
　　“Allright，“repliedHurstwood，sittingdowninsilence。Hewas，sickofthegrindofthisthing。
　　Carriewentoutandtherehesat，determiningtodosomething。
　　Therehadbeenappearinginthepapersaboutthistimerumours，andnoticesofanapproachingstrikeonthetrolleylinesin，Brooklyn。Therewasgeneraldissatisfactionastothehoursof，labourrequiredandthewagespaid。Asusual——andforsome，inexplicablereason——themenchosethewinterfortheforcingof，thehandoftheiremployersandthesettlementoftheir，difficulties。
　　Hurstwoodhadbeenreadingofthisthing，andwondering，concerningthehugetie-upwhichwouldfollow。Adayortwo，beforethistroublewithCarrie，itcame。Onacoldafternoon，wheneverythingwasgreyanditthreatenedtosnow，thepapers，announcedthatthemenhadbeencalledoutonallthelines。
　　Beingsoutterlyidle，andhismindfilledwiththenumerous，predictionswhichhadbeenmadeconcerningthescarcityoflabour，thiswinterandthepanickystateofthefinancialmarket，Hurstwoodreadthiswithinterest。Henotedtheclaimsofthe，strikingmotormenandconductors，whosaidthattheyhadbeen，wonttoreceivetwodollarsadayintimespast，butthatfora，yearormore“trippers“hadbeenintroduced，whichcutdowntheir，chanceoflivelihoodone-half，andincreasedtheirhoursof，servitudefromtentotwelve，andevenfourteen。These，“trippers“weremenputonduringthebusyandrushhours，to，takeacaroutforonetrip。Thecompensationpaidforsucha，tripwasonlytwenty-fivecents。Whentherushorbusyhours，wereover，theywerelaidoff。Worstofall，nomanmightknow，whenhewasgoingtogetacar。Hemustcometothebarnsinthe，morningandwaitaroundinfairandfoulweatheruntilsuchtime，ashewasneeded。Twotripswereanaveragerewardforsomuch，waiting——alittleoverthreehours’workforfiftycents。The，workofwaitingwasnotcounted。
　　Themencomplainedthatthissystemwasextending，andthatthe，timewasnotfaroffwhenbutafewoutof7，000employeeswould，haveregulartwo-dollar-a-dayworkatall。Theydemandedthat，thesystembeabolished，andthattenhoursbeconsideredaday’s，work，barringunavoidabledelays，with$2。25pay。Theydemanded，immediateacceptanceoftheseterms，whichthevarioustrolley，companiesrefused。
　　Hurstwoodatfirstsympathisedwiththedemandsofthesemen——
　　indeed，itisaquestionwhetherhedidnotalwayssympathise，withthemtotheend，beliehimashisactionsmight。Reading，nearlyallthenews，hewasattractedfirstbythescare-heads，withwhichthetroublewasnotedinthe“World。”Hereadit，fully——thenamesofthesevencompaniesinvolved，thenumberof，men。
　　“They’refoolishtostrikeinthissortofweather，“hethought，tohimself。”Let’emwiniftheycan，though。”
　　Thenextdaytherewasevenalargernoticeofit。”Brooklynites，Walk，“saidthe“World。”“KnightsofLabourTieuptheTrolley，LinesAcrosstheBridge。”“AboutSevenThousandMenOut。”
　　Hurstwoodreadthis，formulatingtohimselfhisownideaofwhat，wouldbetheoutcome。Hewasagreatbelieverinthestrengthof，corporations。
　　“Theycan’twin，“hesaid，concerningthemen。”Theyhaven’tany，money。Thepolicewillprotectthecompanies。They’vegotto。
　　Thepublichastohaveitscars。”
　　Hedidn’tsympathisewiththecorporations，butstrengthwaswith，them。Sowaspropertyandpublicutility。
　　“Thosefellowscan’twin，“hethought。
　　Amongotherthings，henoticedacircularissuedbyoneofthe，companies，whichread：
　　ATLANTICAVENUERAILROAD
　　SPECIALNOTICE
　　Themotormenandconductorsandotheremployeesofthiscompany，havingabruptlyleftitsservice，anopportunityisnowgivento，allloyalmenwhohavestruckagainsttheirwilltobe，reinstated，providingtheywillmaketheirapplicationsbytwelve，o’clocknoononWednesday，January16th。Suchmenwillbegiven，employmentwithguaranteedprotectionintheorderinwhich，suchapplicationsarereceived，andrunsandpositionsassigned，themaccordingly。Otherwise，theywillbeconsidereddischarged，andeveryvacancywillbefilledbyanewmanassoonashis，servicescanbesecured。
　　Signed
　　BenjaminNorton，President，Healsonotedamongthewantads。onewhichread：
　　WANTED——50skilledmotormen，accustomedtoWestinghousesystem，torunU。S。mailcarsonly，intheCityofBrooklyn;protection，guaranteed。
　　Henotedparticularlyineachthe“protectionguaranteed。”It，signifiedtohimtheunassailablepowerofthecompanies。
　　“They’vegotthemilitiaontheirside，“hethought。”There，isn’tanythingthosemencando。”
　　Whilethiswasstillinhismind，theincidentwithOesloggeand，Carrieoccurred。Therehadbeenagooddealtoirritatehim，but，thisseemedmuchtheworst。Neverbeforehadsheaccusedhimof，stealing——orverynearthat。Shedoubtedthenaturalnessofso，largeabill。Andhehadworkedsohardtomakeexpensesseem，light。Hehadbeen“doing“butcherandbakerinordernotto，callonher。Hehadeatenverylittle——almostnothing。
　　“Damnitall！”hesaid。”Icangetsomething。I’mnotdown，yet。”
　　Hethoughtthathereallymustdosomethingnow。Itwastoo，cheaptositaroundaftersuchaninsinuationasthis。Why，afteralittle，hewouldbestandinganything。
　　Hegotupandlookedoutthewindowintothechillystreet。It，camegraduallyintohismind，ashestoodthere，togoto，Brooklyn。
　　“Whynot？”hismindsaid。”Anyonecangetworkoverthere。
　　You’llgettwoaday。”
　　“Howaboutaccidents？”saidavoice。”Youmightgethurt。”
　　“Oh，therewon’tbemuchofthat，“heanswered。”They’vecalled，outthepolice。Anyonewhowantstorunacarwillbeprotected，allright。”
　　“Youdon’tknowhowtorunacar，“rejoinedthevoice。
　　“Iwon’tapplyasamotorman，“heanswered。”Icanringupfares，allright。”
　　“They’llwantmotormen，mostly。”
　　“They’lltakeanybody;thatIknow。”
　　Forseveralhourshearguedproandconwiththismental，counsellor，feelingnoneedtoactatonceinamattersosureof，profit。
　　Inthemorningheputonhisbestclothes，whichwerepoor，enough，andbeganstirringabout，puttingsomebreadandmeat，intoapageofanewspaper。Carriewatchedhim，interestedin，thisnewmove。
　　“Whereareyougoing？”sheasked。
　　“OvertoBrooklyn，“heanswered。Then，seeingherstill，inquisitive，headded：“IthinkIcangetonoverthere。”
　　“Onthetrolleylines？”saidCarrie，astonished。
　　“Yes，“herejoined。
　　“Aren’tyouafraid？”sheasked。
　　“Whatof？”heanswered。”Thepoliceareprotectingthem。”
　　“Thepapersaidfourmenwerehurtyesterday。”
　　“Yes，“hereturned;“butyoucan’tgobywhatthepaperssay。
　　They’llrunthecarsallright。”
　　Helookedratherdeterminednow，inadesolatesortofway，and，Carriefeltverysorry。SomethingoftheoldHurstwoodwashere——
　　theleastshadowofwhatwasonceshrewdandpleasantstrength。
　　Outside，itwascloudyandblowingafewflakesofsnow。
　　“Whatadaytogooverthere，“thoughtCarrie。
　　Nowheleftbeforeshedid，whichwasaremarkablething，and，trampedeastwardtoFourteenthStreetandSixthAvenue，wherehe，tookthecar。Hehadreadthatscoresofapplicantswere，applyingattheofficeoftheBrooklynCityRailroadbuildingand，werebeingreceived。Hemadehiswaytherebyhorse-carand，ferry——adark，silentman——totheofficesinquestion。Itwasa，longway，fornocarswererunning，andthedaywascold;buthe，trudgedalonggrimly。OnceinBrooklyn，hecouldclearlyseeand，feelthatastrikewason。Peopleshoweditintheirmanner。
　　Alongtheroutesofcertaintracksnotacarwasrunning。About，certaincornersandnearbysaloonssmallgroupsofmenwere，lounging。Severalspringwagonspassedhim，equippedwithplain，woodenchairs，andlabelled“Flatbush“or“ProspectPark。Fare，TenCents。”Henoticedcoldandevengloomyfaces。Labourwas，havingitslittlewar。
　　Whenhecameneartheofficeinquestion，hesawafewmen，standingabout，andsomepolicemen。Onthefarcornerswere，othermen——whomhetooktobestrikers——watching。Allthehouses，weresmallandwooden，thestreetspoorlypaved。AfterNewYork，Brooklynlookedactuallypoorandhard-up。
　　Hemadehiswayintotheheartofthesmallgroup，eyedby，policemenandthemenalreadythere。Oneoftheofficers，addressedhim。
　　“Whatareyoulookingfor？”
　　“IwanttoseeifIcangetaplace。”
　　“Theofficesareupthosesteps，“saidthebluecoat。Hisface，wasaveryneutralthingtocontemplate。Inhisheartofhearts，hesympathisedwiththestrikersandhatedthis“scab。”Inhis，heartofhearts，also，hefeltthedignityanduseofthepolice，force，whichcommandedorder。Ofitstruesocialsignificance，heneveroncedreamed。Hiswasnotthemindforthat。Thetwo，feelingsblendedinhim——neutralisedoneanotherandhim。He，wouldhavefoughtforthismanasdeterminedlyasforhimself，andyetonlysofarascommanded。Striphimofhisuniform，and，hewouldhavesoonpickedhisside。
　　Hurstwoodascendedadustyflightofstepsandenteredasmall，dust-colouredoffice，inwhichwerearailing，alongdesk，and，severalclerks。
　　“Well，sir？”saidamiddle-agedman，lookingupathimfromthe，longdesk。
　　“Doyouwanttohireanymen？”inquiredHurstwood。
　　“Whatareyou——amotorman？”
　　“No;I’mnotanything，“saidHurstwood。
　　Hewasnotatallabashedbyhisposition。Heknewthesepeople，neededmen。Ifonedidn’ttakehim，anotherwould。Thisman，couldtakehimorleavehim，justashechose。
　　“Well，wepreferexperiencedmen，ofcourse，“saidtheman。He，paused，whileHurstwoodsmiledindifferently。Thenheadded：
　　“Still，Iguessyoucanlearn。Whatisyourname？”
　　“Wheeler，“saidHurstwood。
　　Themanwroteanorderonasmallcard。”Takethattoour，barns，“hesaid，“andgiveittotheforeman。He’llshowyou，whattodo。”
　　Hurstwoodwentdownandout。Hewalkedstraightawayinthe，directionindicated，whilethepolicemenlookedafter。
　　“There’sanotherwantstotryit，“saidOfficerKielytoOfficer，Macey。
　　“Ihavemymindhe’llgethisfill，“returnedthelatter，quietly。Theyhadbeeninstrikesbefore。
　　ChapterXLI
　　THESTRIKE
　　ThebarnatwhichHurstwoodappliedwasexceedinglyshort-handed，andwasbeingoperatedpracticallybythreemenasdirectors。
　　Therewerealotofgreenhandsaround——queer，hungry-looking，men，wholookedasifwanthaddriventhemtodesperatemeans。
　　Theytriedtobelivelyandwilling，buttherewasanairof，hang-dogdiffidenceabouttheplace。
　　Hurstwoodwentbackthroughthebarnsandoutintoalarge，enclosedlot，wherewereaseriesoftracksandloops。Ahalf-
　　dozencarswerethere，mannedbyinstructors，eachwithapupil，atthelever。Morepupilswerewaitingatoneofthereardoors，ofthebarn。
　　InsilenceHurstwoodviewedthisscene，andwaited。His，companionstookhiseyeforawhile，thoughtheydidnotinterest，himmuchmorethanthecars。Theywereanuncomfortable-looking，gang，however。Oneortwowereverythinandlean。Severalwere，quitestout。Severalotherswererawbonedandsallow，asifthey，hadbeenbeatenuponbyallsortsofroughweather。
　　“Didyouseebythepapertheyaregoingtocalloutthe，militia？”Hurstwoodheardoneofthemremark。
　　“Oh，they’lldothat，“returnedtheother。”Theyalwaysdo。”
　　“Thinkwe’reliabletohavemuchtrouble？”saidanother，whom，Hurstwooddidnotsee。
　　“Notvery。”
　　“ThatScotchmanthatwentoutonthelastcar，“putinavoice，“toldmethattheyhithimintheearwithacinder。”
　　Asmall，nervouslaughaccompaniedthis。
　　“OneofthosefellowsontheFifthAvenuelinemusthavehada，hellofatime，accordingtothepapers，“drawledanother。”They，brokehiscarwindowsandpulledhimoffintothestreet’fore，thepolicecouldstop’em。”
　　“Yes;buttherearemorepolicearoundto-day，“wasaddedby，another。
　　Hurstwoodhearkenedwithoutmuchmentalcomment。Thesetalkers，seemedscaredtohim。Theirgabblingwasfeverish——thingssaid，toquiettheirownminds。Helookedoutintotheyardand，waited。
　　Twoofthemengotaroundquitenearhim，butbehindhisback。
　　Theywererathersocial，andhelistenedtowhattheysaid。
　　“Areyouarailroadman？”saidone。
　　“Me？No。I’vealwaysworkedinapaperfactory。”
　　“IhadajobinNewarkuntillastOctober，“returnedtheother，withreciprocalfeeling。
　　Thereweresomewordswhichpassedtoolowtohear。Thenthe，conversationbecamestrongagain。
　　“Idon’tblamethesefellersforstriking，“saidone。”They’ve，gottherightofit，allright，butIhadtogetsomethingto，do。”
　　“Samehere，“saidtheother。”IfIhadanyjobinNewarkI
　　wouldn’tbeoverheretakin’chanceslikethese。”
　　“It’shellthesedays，ain’tit？”saidtheman。”Apoorman，ain’tnowhere。Youcouldstarve，byGod，rightinthestreets，andthereain’tmostnoonewouldhelpyou。”
　　“Rightyouare，“saidtheother。”ThejobIhadIlost’cause，theyshutdown。Theyrunallsummerandlayupabigstock，and，thenshutdown。”
　　Hurstwoodpaidsomelittleattentiontothis。Somehow，hefelta，littlesuperiortothesetwo——alittlebetteroff。Tohimthese，wereignorantandcommonplace，poorsheepinadriver’shand。
　　“Poordevils，“hethought，speakingoutofthethoughtsand，feelingsofabygoneperiodofsuccess。
　　“Next，“saidoneoftheinstructors。
　　“You’renext，“saidaneighbour，touchinghim。
　　Hewentoutandclimbedontheplatform。Theinstructortookit，forgrantedthatnopreliminarieswereneeded。
　　“Youseethishandle，“hesaid，reachinguptoanelectriccut-
　　off，whichwasfastenedtotheroof。”Thisthrowsthecurrent，offoron。Ifyouwanttoreversethecaryouturnitoverhere。
　　Ifyouwanttosenditforward，youputitoverhere。Ifyou，wanttocutoffthepower，youkeepitinthemiddle。”
　　Hurstwoodsmiledatthesimpleinformation。
　　“Now，thishandlehereregulatesyourspeed。Tohere，“hesaid，pointingwithhisfinger，“givesyouaboutfourmilesanhour。
　　Thisiseight。Whenit’sfullon，youmakeaboutfourteenmiles，anhour。”
　　Hurstwoodwatchedhimcalmly。Hehadseenmotormenworkbefore。
　　Heknewjustabouthowtheydidit，andwassurehecoulddoas，well，withaverylittlepractice。
　　Theinstructorexplainedafewmoredetails，andthensaid：
　　“Now，we’llbackherup。”
　　Hurstwoodstoodplacidlyby，whilethecarrolledbackintothe，yard。
　　“Onethingyouwanttobecarefulabout，andthatistostart，easy。Giveonedegreetimetoactbeforeyoustartanother。The，onefaultofmostmenisthattheyalwayswanttothrowherwide，open。That’sbad。It’sdangerous，too。Wearsoutthemotor。
　　Youdon’twanttodothat。”
　　“Isee，“saidHurstwood。
　　Hewaitedandwaited，whilethemantalkedon。
　　“Nowyoutakeit，“hesaid，finally。
　　Theex-managerlaidhandtotheleverandpusheditgently，ashe，thought。Itworkedmucheasierthanheimagined，however，with，theresultthatthecarjerkedquicklyforward，throwinghimback，againstthedoor。Hestraightenedupsheepishly，whilethe，instructorstoppedthecarwiththebrake。
　　“Youwanttobecarefulaboutthat，“wasallhesaid。
　　Hurstwoodfound，however，thathandlingabrakeandregulating，speedwerenotsoinstantlymasteredashehadimagined。Onceor，twicehewouldhaveploughedthroughtherearfenceifithadnot，beenforthehandandwordofhiscompanion。Thelatterwas，ratherpatientwithhim，butheneversmiled。
　　“You’vegottogettheknackofworkingbotharmsatonce，“he，said。”Ittakesalittlepractice。”
　　Oneo’clockcamewhilehewasstillonthecarpractising，andhe，begantofeelhungry。Thedaysetinsnowing，andhewascold。
　　Hegrewwearyofrunningtoandfroontheshorttrack。
　　Theyranthecartotheendandbothgotoff。Hurstwoodwent，intothebarnandsoughtacarstep，pullingouthispaper-
　　wrappedlunchfromhispocket。Therewasnowaterandthebread，wasdry，butheenjoyedit。Therewasnoceremonyaboutdining。
　　Heswallowedandlookedabout，contemplatingthedull，homely，labourofthething。Itwasdisagreeable——miserably，disagreeable——inallitsphases。Notbecauseitwasbitter，but，becauseitwashard。Itwouldbehardtoanyone，hethought。
　　Aftereating，hestoodaboutasbefore，waitinguntilhisturn，came。
　　Theintentionwastogivehimanafternoonofpractice，butthe，greaterpartofthetimewasspentinwaitingabout。
　　Atlasteveningcame，andwithithungerandadebatewith，himselfastohowheshouldspendthenight。Itwashalf-past，five。Hemustsooneat。Ifhetriedtogohome，itwouldtake，himtwohoursandahalfofcoldwalkingandriding。Besideshe，hadorderstoreportatseventhenextmorning，andgoinghome，wouldnecessitatehisrisingatanunholyanddisagreeablehour。
　　HehadonlysomethinglikeadollarandfifteencentsofCarrie’s，money，withwhichhehadintendedtopaythetwoweeks’coalbill，beforethepresentideastruckhim。
　　“Theymusthavesomeplacearoundhere，“hethought。”Wheredoes，thatfellowfromNewarkstay？”
　　Finallyhedecidedtoask。Therewasayoungfellowstanding，nearoneofthedoorsinthecold，waitingalastturn。Hewasa，mereboyinyears——twenty-oneabout——butwithabodylankand，long，becauseofprivation。Alittlegoodlivingwouldhavemade，thisyouthplumpandswaggering。
　　“Howdotheyarrangethis，ifamanhasn’tanymoney？”inquired，Hurstwood，discreetly。
　　Thefellowturnedakeen，watchfulfaceontheinquirer。
　　“Youmeaneat？”hereplied。
　　“Yes，andsleep。Ican’tgobacktoNewYorkto-night。”
　　“Theforeman’llfixthatifyouaskhim，Iguess。Hedidme。”
　　“Thatso？”
　　“Yes。IjusttoldhimIdidn’thaveanything。Gee，Icouldn’t，gohome。IlivewayoverinHoboken。”
　　Hurstwoodonlyclearedhisthroatbywayofacknowledgment。
　　“They’vegotaplaceupstairshere，Iunderstand。Idon’tknow，whatsortofathingitis。Purtytough，Iguess。Hegavemea，mealticketthisnoon。Iknowthatwasn’tmuch。”
　　Hurstwoodsmiledgrimly，andtheboylaughed。