sister carrie

Chapter 13 (2)

Chapter 7 The Seduction of Materials: The Charm of Beauty (2)
Coats are her favorite things.When she walked into the store, she made up her mind that she wanted a small and exquisite leather coat with large mother-of-pearl buttons, which was the most fashionable that autumn.She walked back and forth over the glass cabinets and rails where these things were displayed, thinking that what she saw was the most suitable thing.She was always wavering in her heart, saying to herself for a while that as long as she was happy, she could buy it right away, and then recalling the actual situation.It was almost noon, and she hadn't done anything yet.She had to go and get the money back.

Drouet was on the corner when she came.

"Hello," he said, "where's the coat," looking down, "where's the shoes?"

Carrie had intended to lead her step by step to the idea which she had settled upon in a subtle manner, but this interrupted the whole course of her plan.

"I've come to tell you—I can't take your money."

"Oh, that's what it is, isn't it?" he answered. "Well, you come with me. We'll go up to Buttridge's over there."

Carrie walked with him.All kinds of doubts and impossible things have been swept away from her mind.It was impossible for her to talk about serious matters, or to explain them to him.

"Have you had lunch? Of course not. Let's go in here." As he spoke, Drouet turned and entered a well-furnished restaurant on Monroe Street near State Street.

"Anyway, I can't take the money," said Carrie, when they sat down in a comfortable corner, and Drouet had ordered. "I can't wear these things over there. They—they don't understand." Where did I get this money?"

"What are you going to do?" he said with a smile, "You won't wear it?"

"I think I'll go home," she said awkwardly.

"Ah, well," he said, "you're thinking too much about it. I'll tell you what to do. You say you can't get dressed there. Why don't you rent a room leave them within a week?"

Carrie shook her head.Like all women, she objected, and needed someone to persuade her, and he needed to solve all the doubts and show a way.

"Why did you go home?" he asked.

"Oh, I can't find anything to do here."

"They're not keeping you?" He felt it intuitively.

"They can't," said Carrie.

"I'll tell you what to do," he said. "Come with me, and I'll take care of you."

Carrie listened to this in silence.Good special circumstances make this a welcome opening.Drouet's temper seemed to be the same as hers: agreeable.He was honest, handsome, well-dressed, compassionate, and he spoke in the tone of a friend.

"What can you do back in Columbia?" he went on, painting in Carrie's mind a picture of the dreary world she had just left. "There's nothing to do there. Chicago's a good place." , you can find a nice room here and buy some clothes, so that you can do something."

Carrie looked out through the window at the busy street.Here is a great city to admire, so beautiful, if you are not poor.At this time, there was a beautiful carriage with two tall sorrel horses passing by. In the carriage covered with cushions and curtains, a young lady was sitting.

"What will you get if you go back?" asked Drouet.There is no insidious undertone behind this question.He surmised, by the standards of what he considered valuable, that she would get nothing there.

Carrie sat motionless, looking out.She didn't know in her heart what she could do.But they, they were looking forward to her coming home this week.

Drouet turned the conversation to the dress she was going to buy.

"Why don't you buy yourself a nice little coat? You must have one. I'll lend you the money, and you don't have to worry about what will happen to it. You might as well find yourself a nice room." room. I won't hurt you."

Carrie understood the point, but could not express her thoughts.She felt more and more helpless about her situation.

"As long as I can find something to do," she said.

"Perhaps you can find it," said Drouet, "if you stay here. Not if you go away. They won't let you stay there. Oh, why can't I give you Looking for a nice room? I won't bother you—you needn't be afraid. Then, when you're settled, maybe you can find something."

He looked at her beautiful face and it set his mind alive.She was a sweet little creature to him--there was no doubt about that.Her every move seemed to have some power behind her.She's not like your average shop girl, she's not stupid.

Carrie had, in fact, a richer imagination--a few more tastes than he had.The mental quality is more graceful, which makes her likely to feel melancholy and lonely.Her shabby clothes were clean, and the pose of her head was unconsciously beautiful.

"Do you think I can find anything?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, reaching out to pour her a full cup of tea, "I'll help you."

She looked at him, and he smiled confidently.

"Now I'll tell you what we do. We'll go to that store over there in Buttridge, and you pick what you like. Then we'll get you a room, and you put your stuff over there, and Let's go to the theater tonight."

Carrie shook her head.

"Ah, and then you can go back to them, it's nothing. You don't have to stay in that room. Just rent it and leave your stuff there."

She hesitated until the meal was over.

"Let's come over and look at the coat," he said.

They went together.The splendor they saw in the store of the latest wares caught Carrie's heart at once.After a good meal, and with Drouet in a happy company, the scheme just mentioned seemed to be feasible.She looked around and picked out a style that she'd noticed in the big store.When she got it in her hand, she became even more beautiful.The saleswoman helped her put on the coat, which, by coincidence, couldn't have been more fitting.Drouet's eyes lit up when he saw her dressed in this way; she was beautiful in that way.

"This one is just right," he said.

Carrie turned to the mirror.She looked at her own figure, and couldn't help being overjoyed, her cheeks were rosy.

"This one is just right," said Drouet. "Now pay for it."

"Nine dollars," said Carrie.

"It's nothing—bought," said Drouet.

She reached into her wallet and took out a bill.The shopgirl asked her if she would like to put on her coat, and walked away.A moment later, she came back, and a deal was done.

From Buttridge's they went into a shoe store.Carrie tried on the shoes.Drouet stood aside, and seeing how beautiful Carrie looked in it, said, "Put it on." But Carrie shook her head.What was on her mind was going back to her sister's house.He bought her first a purse, then a pair of gloves, and made her buy socks.

"Tomorrow," he said, "you come here and buy yourself a dress."

In all these manners of Carrie there was always a tinge of misgiving.The more she got into this awkward situation, the more she felt that it was all about what she hadn't done.Since she didn't do these things, there was always a way out.

Drouet knew of a room to let in the rue Wabaciu.He showed Carrie what the place looked like from the outside.He said: "Well, now you are my sister." When he was choosing a room, he looked around, commented, and arranged things neatly. "Her luggage will be delivered in a day or two," he said to the landlady.The landlady is very satisfied.

Drouet's attitude did not change when he was alone.He spoke as if they had been in the street, and Carrie left things behind.

"Well," said Drouet, "why not move here to-night?"

"Oh, I can't," said Carrie.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to be separated from them like this."

They talked thus as they walked along the street, it was a warm afternoon.The sun came out and the wind calmed down.In talking to Carrie he took a more careful grasp of the atmosphere in her sister's house.

"Moving out," he said, "they don't mind. I'll help you out."

She listened, and at last all doubts were gone.He was going to show her around and help her find a job, and she really thought he would do that.Then he's going out to do business, and she can do what she says.

"Ah, I'll tell you what to do," he said, "go over there, get what you want, and go away."

She thought about it for a while.Finally, she agreed.He was going to run all the way to Peoria Street and wait for her there.She met him at 08:30, reached home at five and a half; by six she had made up her mind.

"So you didn't get a thing," said Minnie, referring to Carrie's story about the Boston store.

Carrie glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "No," she answered.

"I don't think you'll have to look any further this fall," said Minnie.

Carrie was silent.

When Han Sheng came home, he also had that expression of neither yin nor yang.He washed his face without saying a word, and then went to his newspaper.Carrie was a little nervous at supper.Her plans weighed heavily on her mind, and she felt deeply that she was not welcome here.

"Didn't find anything?" Han Sheng said.

"No."

He just ate his own food.It was a burden to have her living here, and this thought was always on his mind.She had to go home, and that was all.As long as she is gone, there will be no talk of spring coming again.

Carrie, too, was terrified of what she was about to do, but was somewhat relieved to think that it was over.They don't care about it.Han Sheng would be especially happy when she was gone.He didn't care what happened to her.

After dinner, she went into the bathroom.Here, they couldn't possibly bother her.She wrote a note.

"Goodbye, Minnie," the note read. "I'm not going home. I'm staying in Chicago for a while, looking for work. Don't worry, I'll be all right."

In the front room, Han Sheng was reading his newspaper.Carrie helped Minnie with the dishes and the room, as was the old custom.Then she said:
"Look, I'll stand at the door for a while." She could hardly help speaking tremblingly.

Minnie recalled Han Sheng's words of advice.

"Swain didn't think it was appropriate to stand there like that."

"Does he think so?" said Carrie. "Just this once, and I won't do it again."

She put on her hat, and sat round the table in her small bedroom, wondering where to put this note.Finally, she put the note under Minnie's comb.

When she closed the door of the living room, she hesitated for a moment, wondering what they would think.Sometimes I feel quite disturbed when I think about how strange things are.She walked slowly down the stairs.She looked back at the lighted staircase, then pretended to stroll down the street.As soon as he reached the corner, he quickened his pace.

Just as she was leaving in a hurry, Han Sheng walked up to his wife.

"Has Carrie gone down to the door again?" he asked.

"Yeah," said Minnie, "she said she wouldn't go next time."

He walked up to the baby, who was playing on the floor, and held out his fingers to play with him.

Drouet waited in good spirits around the corner.

"Hello, Carrie," he said.At this time, a lively figure of a girl came over, "Everything is peaceful, isn't it? Okay, let's call a car."

(End of this chapter)