sister carrie

Chapter 78 (1)

Chapter 44 This Is Not a Demon's Nest: What Gold Can't Buy (1)
The next time Carrie went on stage, she found her dressing room changed overnight.

"You will use this room from now on, Miss Mactonda," said a stage boy.

In the future, I won't have to climb several stairs to climb up the small pigeon cage that I share with others.On the contrary, it was a rather spacious and convenient room, well equipped in every way, beyond the enjoyment of the little people upstairs.She took a deep breath, feeling very comfortable.Her feelings were more physical than spiritual.In fact, she rarely opened her mind at all.

The sound of respect and congratulations slowly pushed her to think about her situation spiritually.She was no longer ordered to do something, but asked to do something, and asked her politely.When she appeared in her usual ordinary clothes--she never changed her clothes throughout the play--the other actors on the stage looked at her enviously.No matter if they were of the same generation in the past, or people who were higher than her, everyone smiled at her now, as if to say: "We have always been so friendly." Only the star who was hurt on the show, the comedian Walk alone with high eyesight and strides.For example, he couldn't kiss a hand that beat him.

As she played that innocent role, Carrie came to understand the meaning of the applause, it was for her, and it was a sweet thing.She felt somewhat guilty—perhaps thinking she deserved it anyway.She just smiled faintly when her companions greeted her from the wing.Arrogance and arrogance are not in her nature.In the bottom of her heart, she was never aloof or conceited—never changed from the way she had always been.After the show she always drove home with Laura in the prepared carriage.

Then came the week in which the first fruits of her success were offered to her lips--dish after dish.As for her high salary hasn't started yet, that doesn't matter much.As long as you agree, the world seems to be satisfied.She began to receive letters and cards in the mail.A man named Whiters—whom she didn't know at all—had somehow found out where she lived, walked in, and bowed politely.

"Forgive me for disturbing you," he said, "but it never occurred to you to change your lodgings?"

"Haven't thought of it," said Carrie.

"Ah, I'm from the Wellington Hotel--a new hotel on Broadway. Perhaps you've seen it advertised in the papers."

Carrie knew that the name represented the latest and grandest hotel industry.She had heard that there was a luxurious restaurant attached to the hotel.

"Exactly," said Mr. Whitters, after she explained her familiarity with the circumstances, "we have some very nice rooms at present. If you haven't made up your mind where you will be staying this summer, I invite you to take a look." Look. The equipment in our room is perfect—hot and cold water, bathrooms, dedicated bellhops on multiple floors, elevators, etc. You know the size of our hotel.”

Carrie watched him peacefully.She wondered if he thought of her as a millionaire.

"How much is your rent?" she asked.

"Ah, that's what I'm coming here to tell you in private. Our rent usually ranges from three dollars to fifty dollars a day."

"Dear me!" interrupted Carrie, "I can't afford the rent."

"I know what you're going to think," said Mr. Whitters loudly, after a pause, "but let me explain. I'm talking about the usual rate. Like any other hotel, we have special rules." rent. Perhaps you don't think of it, but your name is worth something to us."

"Oh!" cried Carrie suddenly, and she understood it at once.

"Of course. Every hotel depends on the good name of its customers. A famous actress like you," he bowed politely, while Carrie flushed with shame, "can give a hotel—although you may not believe it—" Get customers."

"Oh, yes," returned Carrie blankly, wondering what such a curious idea might mean.

"Ah," continued Mr. Whitters, dusting his stiff round hat lightly, and stamping a well-polished shoe on the floor, "if possible, I should like to arrange for you to come and stay." , staying at the Wellington Hotel. You don’t have to worry about the conditions. In fact, we don’t need to discuss any conditions. Just give as much as you want this summer—just meaning—as much as you want.”

Carrie wanted to interrupt her, but he would not give her the chance.

"You can come today or tomorrow--the sooner the better--and we'll have any nice, well-lit, exterior-facing room at your disposal--the best rooms we have."

"You're very kind," said Carrie, moved by the kindness of her presence. "I'd love to come too. But I'll pay what's due. I'm not going to—"

"You don't have to worry about that," interrupted Mr. Whitters. "We can arrange it for you at any time. If three dollars a day suits you, we do. Pay the accountant at the end of the week or at the end of each month, and he'll give you a receipt for the usual amount."

The visitor paused.

"Come here, please, and take a look at those rooms first, will you?" he went on.

"I'm glad to be going," said Carrie, "but I have to rehearse this morning."

"I don't mean right away," he returned, "anytime. Is this afternoon convenient?"

"All right," said Carrie.

Suddenly, she thought of Laura.Now she is out.

"I have a roommate," she went on, "who has to go wherever I go, and I forget that."

"Oh, that's very well," said Mr. Whitters courteously. "Who you want to be with is entirely up to you. As I said, all arrangements are to be made as you think fit."

He bowed and stepped back toward the door.

"Well, we'll be waiting for you at four o'clock, shall we?"

"All right," said Carrie.

"I'll show you the way then." Mr. Whitters took his leave.

After rehearsal, Carrie told Laura.

"Really?" exclaimed Laura, thinking that the Willington Hotel has a lot of managers in it. Do you know that two young people named Gu Xin ate at this restaurant?"

"I remember," said Carrie.

"Oh, it couldn't be better."

"We might as well go and see," Carrie said later in the afternoon.

What Mr. Whitters showed Carrie and Laura was three rooms and one bathroom--a suite above the drawing room.The room is painted in chocolate and dark red, with carpets and tapestries.Three windows on the east side overlook bustling Broadway, and three others look out onto a side street that runs across.There are two lovely bedrooms with white enamelled steel beds, chairs and dressing tables upholstered in white satin.In the third room, which is the reception room, there is a piano, a large piano lamp with an ornate lampshade, a reading table, and some large comfortable rocking chairs. There were low bookshelves, and a gilded antique cabinet, in which were displayed all kinds of treasures.There were pictures on the walls, soft Turkish pillows on the divan, and brown velvet ottomans on the floor.A room furnished like this usually costs 100 yuan a week.

"Oh, that's so cute!" Laura exclaimed as they walked along.

"It's comfortable," said Carrie, drawing back the lace curtains and looking down at the bustle of Broadway.

The bathroom is exquisite, with white tiles, and the large bathtub is made of green-edged boulder with nickel switches.The bathroom is bright and spacious, with a beveled mirror on one wall and electric lights in three places.

"Are you satisfied?" said Mr. Whitters.

"Oh, very well," replied Carrie.

"Okay, then move in when you think it's right, they're ready. The bellboy will give you the key to the room."

Carrie noticed the richly carpeted halls, the marble passages, and the ornate drawing rooms.This was exactly where she had always dreamed of living.

"I think we'd better move right away, what do you think?" she said to Laura, thinking of the unremarkable room on Seventeenth Street.

"Oh, of course," said Laura.

The next day, her suitcase was moved into the new house.

On Wednesday, after the matinee, she was dressing when there was a knock on her dressing-room door.

Carrie was startled when she saw the card which the waiter had brought.

"Please tell her I'll be right there," she said softly.Then, looking at the card, he went on, "Mrs. Vance."

"Oh, you rascal," cried Mrs. Vance, as she saw her coming towards her across the now-empty stage, "what's all this about?"

Carrie laughed happily.Her friend, there was no trace of awkwardness in his demeanor.She would also think that the long partings were only occasional.

"Neither do I," replied Carrie, warm to the pretty, kind, young lady, though she was beginning to panic.

"Well, you know, I saw your picture in the Sunday paper, but your name confuses me (Mrs. Vance only knows Carrie as Mrs. Dunda's real name.—Translator). I thought it must be you, or someone who looked exactly like you. I said, 'Okay, let me go and see right away?' I was never so surprised in my life Yes. But how are you?"

"Oh, very well," replied Carrie, "how have you been?"

"Okay. But aren't you in the limelight? Oh, my God! You're being talked about in all the papers. I thought to myself, you must be very proud. I'm almost too scared to come here this afternoon." Woolen cloth."

"Nonsense," said Carrie, flushing, "you know how glad I am to see you."

(End of this chapter)