american tragedy

Chapter 15 (1)
Chapter 111 (1)
For a man like Clyde, the consequences of this absurdity were considerable, although curiosity and desire finally led him to such a place and made him submit, but because of the moral values ​​and taboos he was already familiar with Thought, he still couldn't help but think that what happened that time was indeed an act of depravity and evil.But later, when he thought of that novelty hunt and that world, for him, it really shone with the beauty of the world and the charm of vulgarity.It was, after all, rather amusing, he thought, until something more interesting took the impression away.

From then on, he kept thinking that since he could earn so much money now, he might as well go wherever he likes and do whatever he likes.If I could, I'd look for a girl somewhere alone, like the kind Seblin and Doyle had.Therefore, although there was an uneasy thought about the events of the previous night, she was soon satisfied with this new scene of joy.If he could, he must, like Doyle, find a girl somewhere who was not bound by morality, and spend his money on her.He couldn't wait.

But there was one thing that made Clyde more interesting and gratifying at the time. Hegglund and Ratterer were interested in him, trying to win him over, and trying to drag him in with whatever pleasure they had in mind.In fact, shortly after that first adventure, Ratterer invited Clyde to his home, and Clyde could tell from a glance that life in Ratterer's house was very different from his.In Griffith's house, everything was very serious and formal, and the whole family was quiet, showing an atmosphere of discipline and restraint.At the Ratterers' house, it was the exact opposite.The mother and sister who lived with Ratterer were not immoral, but they had no particular religious beliefs, and their attitudes towards life were much more liberal.The family had no definite policy at all, either morally or character.So Ratterer and his sister, Louise, who was two years younger, were free to act as they pleased, although his sister was born with a shrewdness and a personality that didn't want to mess around with anyone.

The most interesting thing is that although Clyde looks down on some situations because of his upbringing, he still yearns for the life style full of life and the unrestrained situation.When dealing with people like them, at least he doesn't have as many worries as he used to, and he can do things according to his own wishes.You can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, and do whatever you like.Besides, how attractive he was to those young girls, he didn't know.Now he knows what he knows, which makes him very happy, and it can also be said to relieve him more or less from the mental burden.Because up to this moment, even though Hegglund and the others recently took him to visit the temple of lust for the first time in his life, he still thinks that it is impossible for him to deal with women, and he has no charm.As long as he gets close to a woman, he will shrink back and his heart will beat. The ability of ordinary young people to talk calmly and make fun of them casually, even if he is born with a little bit, it will soon fail.Now, after a few visits to the Rattler's, he soon found that he could have ample opportunity to test his shy flirtations, which were commonplace here.It had never occurred to Clyde so far that a mother like Mrs. Rattler could be so deaf and indifferent to matters of character and morals.He could not imagine any mother approving of the kind of casual hook-ups that existed in Mrs. Rattler's house.

After several invitations from Rattler, Clyde soon became a part of this small circle.But from a certain point of view, from their behavior, he still looked down on these people.From another point of view, their free manner and the energy of their social activities attracted him.Because since he has these opportunities, as long as he is happy, as long as he has the courage, he can find a girl who is good with him. This is the first time in his life.With the kind help of Rattler and his sister, and their friends, he will soon be able to accomplish this.In fact, it had a beginning when he first visited the Ratterers' house.

Louise Rattler worked in a silk shop and was often late at home for supper.This time, she didn't go home until seven o'clock, and the time for dinner at home was delayed a little.Before Louise came home, two girlfriends came to her and wanted to discuss a matter with her.Finding that she had not returned, and that only Rattler and Clyde were at home, they settled down without restraint.Clyde and his new suit impressed and interested them, for Clyde's eagerness for girls and his shyness made him nervously reserved.They misunderstood his attitude as a sign of superiority.They were attracted by his manner, and they wanted to show how interesting they were-it was almost to seduce him.He found their vulgar liveliness and unashamed manner attractive, and he was soon drawn to the charm of the Hortense Briggs.This girl, like Louise, was just a vulgar clerk in a big store, only pretty, with a dark complexion, and a great deal of herself.But he felt from the first moment that she was vulgar, that she was too far from the kind of girl he had dreamed of.

"Oh, hasn't she come back yet?" Ratterer had just invited Hortense in, when she saw Clyde looking out of the window. "Isn't this too bad? If you don't mind disturbing, let's wait for her for a while." When she said, "Don't mind disturbing", she twisted her body, obviously saying that who doesn't like to be with us Together? So she adorned herself before a mirror on the ocher mantel of the unfired fireplace in the dining room, admiring her looks.Her friend Greta Miller went on: "Oh, dear, you're right, please don't turn us away when she doesn't come back, we're not here to eat."

Ratterer sneered and said, "Where did you learn this trick to drive you away? It seems that if you don't want to, they can drive you away. Sit down and turn on the phonograph. If you don't want to, dinner will be ready soon." Now, Louise will be back soon." He introduced Clyde to them, and went back to the dining room to read the newspaper he had just read.When Clyde saw the appearance and demeanor of the two girls, he suddenly felt as if he was drifting with the wind on a solitary boat in the vast sea.

"Oh, don't talk to me about food!" cried Miller, who was looking at Clyde calmly at this moment, thinking over and over in her mind whether he was worth pursuing, and finally decided that she thought it was worth it. "We're going to get rid of the ice cream and biscuits and pies and sandwiches and don't eat too much tonight. You know, Tom, Kitty Keene's got a birthday party today with a big cake and lots of other things Things, can you go too later? As she said this, she thought of Clyde and wondered if he could be invited to participate.

Rattler said nonchalantly, "I don't want to go. I had dinner with Clyde and went to the theater."

"Oh, what a fool," interrupted Hortense Briggs, whose sole purpose was to draw attention from Greta to herself.She was still standing in front of the mirror, smiling charmingly at everyone.Especially with Clyde as the object, her friend is probably there to seduce her. "You could have danced there instead of a play, and I'd call that a fool."

Ratterer said, "Yeah, you three just want to dance, and you never want to take a break, which is great. I'm running around all the time, and I like to sit."

"Oh, don't tell me to sit down," said Greta, smugly sliding her left foot in a dancing motion. "There are still a lot of dates this week." She raised her eyes and eyebrows and folded her hands in front of her in a show pose. "It's scary to dance so many times this winter, Thursday nights, Friday nights, Saturday nights, Sunday nights," she counted her fingers mischievously, and she smiled provocatively at Clyde. Look for an air of empathy. "Guess where I was that night, Tom Louise and Ralph Thorpe, Hortense and Bert Gertler, and me and Willie Basik--Peg of Upper Webert Street Went to the Lun Ballroom. Ah! You should go and see that bunch of people. Sam Shaffer and Terry Mings were there too. We danced until four o'clock in the morning and my legs were about to break I haven't rested for a long time."

Hortense immediately seized the opportunity, threw her arms up in a show pose, and interposed, "I thought I couldn't go to work next morning. My mother was in such a panic that she hasn't calmed down yet." Well, Saturday and Sunday, she doesn't mind, but not the rest of the day, because I have to be up at seven o'clock in the morning, or she'll be picky!"

Mrs. Ratterer was bringing in a plate of yams and some bread, and began to express her opinion: "I don't blame her, you're going to get sick if you don't rest much, and Louise has to do the same, I always say She, if she doesn't get more sleep, she won't keep her job, or her health won't keep up. She just doesn't obey like Tom."

"Mom, if you're in her line of work, don't expect to get her back sooner," was all Ratterer said.Hortense went on: "Tell me to stay at home one night and it will kill me. After working all day, I have to play."

What a random family this is, thought Clyde.How laissez-faire, how indifferent.The look of these two girls is so sexy and slutty.But their parents obviously don't care about anything.If only he could have a girl as pretty as Hortense.That sexy mouth, those bright and keen eyes, how cute.

Greta Miller said mischievously: "I only need to sleep two nights a week. My father said I was crazy, but if I don't sleep more, it will be bad for my health." She had some words Although he couldn't believe what he said, Clyde listened with gusto. This is the breath of youth, joy, freedom and love of life.

Just then, the front door opened, and Louise hurried in.She was a well-proportioned, lively little girl of medium height, with a red-striped shawl and a blue felt hat tipped over her eyes.She was different from her brother, she was very lively and full of energy, her figure was softer than those two, and her appearance was just as beautiful.

"Ah! Who's here!" she yelled, "You two fellows came to my house before I did, and I'm being dragged back today because of the mess up in the accounts." Then she Just discovered Clyde.Then he said: "I must know who this is, Mr. Griffiths. My brother often mentioned you, and I wondered why he didn't bring you home!" Vaguely speaking, he also felt that Rattler should have brought him long ago.

But the two guests went into a small front bedroom with Louise, talked for a while, and then came out.Because of the host's warm invitation, they decided to stay.Because of their presence, Clyde was very excited and very energetic. He really wanted to make a good impression so that he could get in touch with the family in the future.The three girls thought he was beautiful, and they wanted to win his favor, so they made it possible for him to socialize with the opposite sex naturally for the first time in his life, talking and laughing.

Greta Miller turned to Louise and said, "I was just trying to remind you not to overeat, but I started eating myself."

(End of this chapter)