sister carrie

Chapter 31 (2)

Chapter No.17 A Glimpse of Trendy Society: Eyes Lit Up by Hope (2)
"Stop it," the director said, rushing forward, one arm outstretched, "put a little more emotion into it when you say you want it."

Mrs. Morgan looked at him as if afraid he might hit her.There was a look of disgust in her eyes.

"Remember, Mrs. Morgan," he went on, ignoring the look but softening it. "You're dealing with a sad story. Now you're telling something that's deeply painful to you. It takes emotion, it takes repression, it goes like this: 'The usual bunch of kids huddling around begging for money.'"

"All right," said Mrs. Morgan.

"Okay, let's go on."

"The mother was about to feel in her pocket for money when she met a cold, trembling hand, which had seized her purse."

"Very good." The director interrupted while nodding seriously.

"A pickpocket! Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Bomberg, speaking his lines.

"No, no, Mr. Bomberg," said the director, coming up, "that's not it. 'A pickpocket—huh?" That's it. "

"Isn't that a good idea," said Carrie in a low voice.She notes that so far there has been no proof that everyone understands their lines, let alone the subtleties of expression, "Isn't it best if we go through our lines first and see if we remember? We It might make some sense."

"Excellent idea, Miss Maconda," said Mr. Quincel.He was sitting on the side of the stage, watching, and offering some comments, which the director ignored.

"Okay," said the director, feeling a little embarrassed. "Maybe you can try it." Then he cheered up and showed an authoritative posture, "You might as well read it first and put in as many expressions as possible."

"All right," said Mr. Quincel.

"This hand," continued Mrs. Morgan, casting a glance at Mr. Bomberg, reading her lines as she spoke, "my mother took it, and held it so tight that a small child's voice cried out for pain. Come on. Ma looked down and there was a little ragged girl beside her."

"Very good," the director commented, for now he's free.

"The thief!" cried Herr Bomberg.

"Raise your voice," interjected the director, thinking he couldn't let it go.

"The thief!" cried poor Bomberg.

"Yes, but a thief, not yet six years old, with the face of an angel. 'Stop it,' my mother said, 'what are you doing?'"

"'To steal,' said the kid."

"'Did you know it was an evil act?' my dad asked."

"'Yes.' said the little girl, 'but I'm so hungry.'"

"'Who told you to steal it?' my mother asked."

"'She—over there,' said the child, pointing to a slovenly woman in the opposite doorway, who fled suddenly into the street. 'That's old Judas,' said the child.'

Mrs. Morgan's tone is quite steady, and the director is almost desperate.He paced for a while, then addressed Mr. Quincel.

"What do you think of them?" he asked.

"Oh, I think we can get them right," said Mr. Quincel, showing perseverance in spite of the odds.

"I don't know," said the director. "I don't think it's right for a guy like Bamberg to play a lover."

"That's the only man we've ever found," said Quincel, rolling his eyes. "Harrison's going to be nothing. Who else can we find?"

"I don't know," said the director, "I'm afraid he can't play well."

At this moment, Bomberg shouted: "Pearl, you are kidding me."

"Look at it," said the director, covering his mouth with one hand, "My God, what can you do with such a person when you say such a sentence so slowly?"

"You've got to do the best you can," Quincel reassured him.

And so the play went on, until Carrie came on as Laura.She came out of the room to explain to Ray.After hearing what Pearl said about his birth, Ray wrote a letter abandoning her, but it has not been sent yet.Bamberg had just finished saying Ray, "I must go before she comes back. Listen, her footsteps! It's too late," and pocketing the letter, when she said sweetly:

"Ray!"

"Courtrant (Courtrant is the surname of Lola, the heroine of the play.)--Miss--," Bamberger stammered in a low voice.

Carrie glanced at him, and for a moment forgot all who were present with her.She began to feel the scene of the person in the play, with an indifferent smile on her lips, turned around as prescribed by the lines, and walked towards the window, as if he was not there.There was grace in her doing so, and she looked downright charming.

"Who is this woman?" the director asked, looking at the little scene of Carrie and Bamberg.

"Miss Mactonda," said Quincel.

"I know her name," said the director, "but what does she do?"

"I don't know," said Quincel, "she was a friend of a member of our branch."

"Ah, she has more talent than any I've ever seen—seems to be very interested in the part she's playing."

"Pretty, isn't it?" said Quincel.

The director walked away without making a sound.

In the second scene, she was facing the other actors in the ballroom, and she was even better.This earned the director a smile.Because of her fascination for him, he walks towards her and talks to her.

"Have you ever been on a stage?" he flattered her subtly.

"No," said Carrie.

"You play so well, I thought you might have some experience."

Carrie just smiled reservedly.

He went off to listen to Bomberg.Bomberg was reciting a few passionate lines in a low voice.

Mrs. Morgan sensed what was going on, and gave Carrie a savage, jealous look from her black eyes.

"She's a cheap professional actress or something," she thought to herself, and hated her ever since.

A day of rehearsals was over, and Carrie walked home, deeply satisfied with herself.The director's words are still ringing in his ears.She longed for the chance to tell Hurstwood.She wanted him to know how wonderful she was.Drouet was another object of her private conversation.She couldn't wait for him to ask her questions, but was too shy to ask.However, the salesman had another idea tonight, and her little experience seemed unimportant to him.He paused in the middle of the conversation, unless there was no excuse and she wanted to go on.And this is precisely what Carrie is not good at.He just thought that if Carrie was doing well, he would have nothing to worry about.In this way he kept Carrie's passions from pouring out, which was deeply repulsive, and she felt his indifference, and longed to see Hurstwood as if he were alone now. People are her friends in the world.By the next morning Drouet was interested again, but the damage had already been done.

She got a lovely letter from the manager saying that he was waiting for her in the park when she got it.When she came, to her, he was really like the morning sun shining on her.

"Oh, my dear," he asked, "how did it go?"

"Very good," she said.She was still a little depressed after meeting Drouet.

"Ah, tell me about your situation. Interesting?"

Carrie became more and more excited as she talked about the performance.

"Oh, that's wonderful," said Hurstwood. "It's delightful. I must go over there and see you. When's the next rehearsal?"

"Tuesday," said Carrie, "but they're not allowed."

"I think I can get in," said Hurstwood significantly.

His thoughtfulness completely lifted her spirits and cheered her up, but she made him promise never to go.

"Now, you must do your best to please me," he encouraged him. "Don't forget, it is I who want you to be successful. We are going to make the show extraordinary. You do it now .”

"I'll try it," said Carrie, with love and excitement in her heart.

"That's a fine girl," said Hurstwood fondly. "Oh, remember," he said, nodding his infinitely affectionate finger to her, "bring out the whole copy."

"I will," she replied back.

This morning, the sun is shining on the earth.She walked lightly, and the sky became clear, pouring pieces of blue clouds into the depths of her heart.Ah, blessed are the sons and daughters who give their best.Blessed are those who understand, smile, and sponsor.

(End of this chapter)