sister carrie

Chapter 83 (1)

Chapter 46 Stirring the already cloudy water even more cloudy (1)
After Carrie returned to New York to perform this time, one night, as she was finishing unpacking and preparing to go home, she suddenly heard a commotion near the entrance to the stage, and a familiar voice.

"Leave me alone. I want to see Miss Maconda."

"You have to send your card in."

"Oh, go away! Take it."

The half dollar was handed over, and there was a knock on the dressing room door.

Carrie opened the door.

"Well, well," said Drouet, "it's sure to be right! Oh, how are you? I knew it was you when I saw you."

Carrie took a step back, anticipating a very awkward conversation.

"Won't you shake hands with me? Oh, you're a beauty! Nothing, just shake hands."

Carrie held out her hand and smiled.This is simply because the man is very kind by nature.Although it is getting older, there are not many people.It's still the same beautiful clothes, the same burly physique, and the same smug face.

"The guy at the door wouldn't let me in, I put the money in. I know it's you. Hey, you guys did a great show, you did a great part, I knew you'd do a great job. I just happened to be leaving tonight But I thought I'd come for a few minutes. I saw your name on the program, but I couldn't remember it. I didn't notice until you were on the stage. I was surprised when I saw it. Oh, I was surprised dumbfounded. You used that name in Chicago too, didn't you?"

"Yes," replied Carrie mildly, and she really admired the man's air of confidence.

"As soon as I saw you, I knew it was you. Ah, have you been all right?"

"Oh, very well," said Carrie, wandering about the dressing-room.The sudden arrival of this unexpected guest made her feel overwhelmed, "How are you?"

"Me? Oh, fine. Here I am now."

"Is it?" said Carrie.

"Yes, I have been here for six months, and I am in charge of a branch here."

"How wonderful!"

"Well, and when did you get on the stage?" asked Drouet.

"About three years ago," said Carrie.

"Really? Oh, my God, that's the first time I've heard of it. But I know you can do it. I keep saying you can act--don't you?"

Carrie smiled.

"Yes, you did," she said.

"Oh, you look great," he said. "I've never seen anyone grow so fast. You've grown taller, haven't you?"

"Me? Oh, maybe a little taller."

He gazed at her dress, at her hair, with a bonnet on it so imposingly.Then staring into her eyes, she tried to avoid it as much as possible.It was obvious that he hoped to restore the old friendship, and immediately, and the same as before.

"Ah," he said, seeing her putting away her purse, handkerchiefs, and all, and getting ready to leave, "I want you to come out to dinner with me tonight, okay? I've got an appointment there A friend."

"Oh, I can't," said Carrie, "not tonight. I have an appointment to-morrow morning."

"Oh, whatever the date, come on. I can get rid of him. I want to talk to you."

"No, no," said Carrie, "I can't, you needn't force me, I don't like supper late."

"Oh, come on, anyway, let's talk for a while."

"No, not tonight," she said, shaking her head. "We'll talk about it another time."

In doing so, she noticed a shadow of thought passing over his face, as if he were beginning to appreciate that the situation had changed.But for a person who has always liked her, a good-natured person always feels a little sorry.

"Come to the hotel to-morrow," she said, making amends, "and you can have dinner with me."

"Well," said Drouet, looking brighter, "where do you live?"

"At the Waltorph Hotel," she replied, referring to the large, stylish new hotel.

"What time?"

"Well, come at three o'clock," said Carrie pleasantly.

The next day Drouet called.But Carrie wasn't very happy when she thought about dating.However, as soon as she saw him, seeing that he was as handsome as ever, dressed in his manner, and as pleasant as ever, all her doubts that the supper might be unpleasant were all gone. .He was still talking like before.

"They're big, aren't they?" were his first words.

"Yes, that's what they are," said Carrie.

He was such a mild-mannered self-centered person that he immediately went into detail about his career.

"I'll be opening my own shop soon," he says in one place, "and I can raise $20 in capital."

Carrie listened with her best temper.

"Listen," he said suddenly, "where is Hurstwood now?"

Carrie blushed a little.

"I think he's in New York," she said. "I haven't seen him for a while."

Drouet pondered for a moment.He didn't know until this time that the former manager was not a powerful figure behind the scenes.He thought the same way at first, but he was relieved when he was sure.Carrie must have dumped him--he thought she deserved it, too.

"When a person does this kind of thing, he can't help but make mistakes," he said.

"What sort of thing?" said Carrie, not knowing what he would say.

"Oh, you know." Drouet made a sign that she must understand.

"No, I don't know," she replied, "What do you mean?"

"Why, that thing in Chicago—the time he left."

"I don't understand what you're talking about," said Carrie.Could it be that Hurstwood and her had run away with him so rashly?
"Oh, oh," said Drouet doubtfully, "you know he took ten thousand dollars when he went away, didn't he?"

"What!" said Carrie. "You mean he stole the money, don't you?"

"Why," said Drouet, greatly puzzled by her tone, "you know about it, don't you?"

"Why, no," said Carrie, "of course I don't know."

"Oh, that's ridiculous," said Drouet. "He stole it, you know. It's in all the papers."

"How much do you say he took?" said Carrie.

"1 yuan. However, I heard he returned most of it."

Carrie stared blankly at the rich carpet on the floor.There was now a new perspective on what had become of her all these years after her forced exodus.She recalled now a hundred incidents sufficient to show this, and she believed that he had taken the money for her sake.Not only did it not breed hatred, but it triggered a sad mood.Poor man! What a calamity has been hanging over his head for so long.

Drouet was drunk at supper, and, with the relaxation of his spirits, he was hot-headed, thinking he was winning Carrie's heart, and making her fall for him as naturally and kindly as she had ever done.He began to run wild with his imagination, thinking that it would not be difficult to re-enter her life, despite her current status.Oh, what a rare gem, he thought! How beautiful, how graceful, how famous! Against such a dramatic background as hers, and in the surroundings of the Waldorf Hotel, Carrie was to him Said to be his most beloved person.

"Do you remember how flustered you were that night in Avery?" he asked.

Carrie smiled at the thought.

"I've never seen anyone play better since, Carrie," he went on, not without sadness, leaning one arm on the table, "I thought you and I would It's going to be great."

"You can't say that," said Carrie, introducing a little indifference.

"Can I tell you—"

"No," she answered, rising. "Besides, it's time for me to go to the theater. I must part with you, all right."

"Oh, wait a minute," begged Drouet.

"No," said Carrie politely.

Resignedly, Drouet left the brightly lit table and followed.He followed to the elevator entrance, stood there and said:

"When will I see you next time?"

"Oh, maybe later," said Carrie, "I've been here all summer. Good-bye!"

The elevator door opened.

"Good-bye!" said Drouet, as she entered, dragging her skirts.

Then he wandered sadly down the hall, and the old love was kindled again, for she was so far away now.The funny rustle of clothes in this place says it all about her.He believes he has been treated unfairly.But Carrie had other ideas.

Carrie happened to pass Hurstwood that evening, but did not see him, while he was waiting at the Casino.

The next evening, walking to the theater, she met him face to face.He is waiting there.He became even more emaciated, determined to see her, even if he had to report inside.At first, she didn't recognize the ragged beggar.He leaned so close that it startled her, he looked like a starving stranger.

"Carrie," he said in a low voice, "may I have a word with you?"

She turned and recognized him immediately.If there was any dissatisfaction with him buried in her heart, it would be thrown out of the blue right now.Even so, she still remembered what Drouet had said about him stealing the money.

"What's the matter, George," she said, "what's the matter with you?"

"I've been sick," he replied, "I've just been out of the hospital, and God help me, give me a little money, please?"

"Of course," said Carrie.She tried to calm down, but her lips were still trembling, "But, what's the matter with you?"

She opened the wallet and pulled out all the bills--one five-dollar bill, two two-dollar bills.

"I've been sick, I told you just now," he complained, almost disgusted by her overly compassionate attitude.It is hard to get mercy from such a man.

"Here," she said, "I have all my money here."

"Okay," he replied in a low voice, "I'll pay you back someday."

Carrie looked at him when the passer-by stared at her.She felt too conspicuous, as did Hurstwood.

"Why don't you tell me what's the matter with you?" she asked, not knowing what to do. "Where do you live?"

"Oh, I have a room in Bovery Street," he answered. "It's no use talking to you here. I'm all right now."

He seemed to be disgusted by her kind inquiry - Chance took too much care of her.

"Go in, please," he said. "I'm grateful, but I won't bother you any more."

She wanted to answer him, but he had already turned around and was walking slowly east.

For several days the apparition haunted her soul, and only at last did it partly fade away.Drouet called again, but this time Carrie did not even see him.His intentions seemed not directed at the proper place.

"I don't have customers." This is the answer to the waiter.

(End of this chapter)