sister carrie

Chapter 30 (1)

Chapter No.17 A Glimpse of Trendy Society: Eyes Lit Up by Hope (1)
The performance of a play of great importance to Carrie in Avery Street now attracted more attention than had been expected.The drama pupil wrote to Hurstwood the morning he received his lines, saying he was going to play a part in a play.

"I'm telling the truth," she wrote, afraid he'd think it was a joke. "I've got my lines now, and it's absolutely true."

Hurstwood smiled fondly at the letter.

"I don't know what's going to happen yet. I have to find out."

He wrote back at once, complimenting her talents: "I never doubted that you will succeed. You must come to the park tomorrow morning and tell me everything."

Carrie cheerfully assented, and gave all the details she knew.

"Well," he said, "that's very nice. I'm glad to hear that. Of course you'll do it well, you're so clever."

He had never seen the girl so cheerful.Her habitual resentment was gone now.Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were rosy as she spoke.The joy the task gave her was projecting in all directions.Despite all doubts - even in front of her eyes - she was happy.Doing such a small thing is not a big deal to ordinary onlookers, but she couldn't help being elated.

The girl proved to be quite capable, and this fascinated Hurstwood.It is such a joyful thing in life to see hope in a legitimate career, even a small one.This brings splendor, strength and beauty to the person involved.

Under this divine inspiration, Carrie was now radiant.She had won a compliment from her two admirers that she had never had before.Their affection for her naturally made them think more highly of what she was going to do, and praise her for what she had done.Her lack of life experience allows her to maintain rich fantasies, and whenever she has a little chance, she will unrestrained and become a golden magic wand (it is said that a treasure-hunting magician holds a Y-shaped stick and walks to a place with treasure. The stick will turn itself.——Translator) to discover the treasures of life.

"Let's see," said Hurstwood, "that I ought to know the fellows in that branch. I was a member of the Secret Society myself."

"Oh, you must not let him know that I told you."

"Of course." said the manager.

"I wish you'd be there if you wanted to, but I don't see how you could unless he asks you."

"I'll go," said Hurstwood affectionately, "and I'll try to arrange it so he won't know you told me. You let me do it."

For the show itself, the manager's attention was a big deal, because his position in the secret society was worth mentioning.He was already planning to set up a box for some friends and send a basket of flowers to Carrie.He was going to turn this show into a pageant, to give the little girl a chance to show her face.

In a day or two Drouet turned into the Adams Street Inn, and was immediately noticed by Hurstwood.It was five o'clock in the afternoon, and the hotel was bustling with businessmen, actors, managers, politicians, a large number of potbellied, rosy-cheeked people, wearing top hats, starched shirts, rings on their hands, pins on their ties, All kinds of decorations are available.Boxer Sullivan was at one end of the brightly lit bar, surrounded by flashy sportsmen, having a lively conversation.Drouet walked across the floor with festive stride, creaking a pair of new leather shoes.

"Oh, man," said Hurstwood, "I was wondering where you were. I thought you were out again."

Drouet laughed.

"If you don't come more often, we will fire you."

"There's no way," said the agent, "I'm busy."

They strolled towards the bar amidst the noisy throng of famous people.In a few minutes, the smartly dressed manager shook hands three times.

"I hear your branch is going to put on a play," said Hurstwood, with an air that seemed casual.

"Yeah, who told you?"

"Nobody," said Hurstwood, "they just gave me a couple of tickets for two bucks. Can you do any good?"

"I don't know," said the salesman. "They're asking me to find a woman to play the part."

"I don't want to go," said the manager casually. "Of course I donate. How's it going there?"

"Very well. They're trying to set it up with the show money."

"Well," said the manager, "hope they succeed. Another drink?"

He had no intention of saying anything more.In this way, if he and a few friends were there at that time, he could presume that he was invited to come.Drouet had an idea in his mind, hoping to clarify the possible misunderstanding.

"As far as I can tell, that girl is going to play a part," he said suddenly, after a moment of thought.

"Really? What's going on?"

"Well, they're short of hands and want me to get them one. I told Carrie, and she seems to want to try."

"It's good for her," said the manager. "It's a real good thing. It's good for her. Has she had any experience?"

"Not at all."

"Oh, ah, this is not a serious thing."

"Well, she's clever," said Drouet, thereby dismissing all possible criticisms of Carrie's talents, "and she's learning her part very quickly."

"Really?" said the manager.

"Yeah, man, she freaked me out that night. God, what's wrong with her?"

"We must give her a little congratulations," said the manager. "I will buy the flowers."

Drouet smiled at his kindness.

"After the show, you have to come with me, and we're going to have a little dinner."

"I think she'll do well," said Drouet.

"I want to meet her. She's got to play well. We're going to flatter her." The manager gave a quick, demure faint smile that was a mixture of kindness and shrewdness.

The words were divided, and Carrie participated in the first rehearsal.This rehearsal, conducted by Mr. Quincel, was assisted by a young man, Mr. Millis.This person has some experience in the past, but people may not know exactly about it.But the man was so experienced and played by the book, even to the point of recklessness—forgot that the men he was training were volunteer actors, not salaried subordinates.

"Ah, Miss Mactonda," he said to Carrie, who stood by at the moment not knowing what to do. "You can't just stand like this. Put a look on your face. Remember, you're annoyed by a stranger breaking in. Just walk." So dejectedly, he walked past the Avary Theater. stage.

Carrie did not quite understand the hint.But the whole disquiet of this new situation, and the presence of strangers, combined with the eagerness to try not to fail, made her timid.She imitated the way the teacher instructed her to walk, but deep down she felt that something was strangely missing.

"Oh, Mrs. Morgan," said the director to the young lady who played Pearl, "you sit here, oh, Mr. Bamberg, you stand there, that's all. Oh, what are you talking about?"

"Explain," Bamberg whispered.He played Laura's lover Rey, a fashionable social figure.When he found out that she was just a homeless, low-born person, he couldn't help but struggle in his heart and couldn't make up his mind.

"How do you say—what does your line say?"

"Explain," repeated Mr. Bomberg, carefully reading the lines.

"Yes, but the lines say," said the director, "that you have to act surprised. Well, say it again, and see if you can act surprised."

"Explain!" Bomberg insisted.

"No, no, this won't work! Say it like this: 'Explain—explain—'"

"Explain." Bomberg said in a more relaxed tone.

"It's better this way. Go on."

"One night," continued Mrs. Morgan.And then it was her turn to say, "Father and mother went to the opera. As they walked down Broadway, the usual group of kids begging for money—"

(End of this chapter)