american tragedy

Chapter 21

Chapter 114
All this made Clyde think more about the question of the sexes than he had in the past, but not in the orthodox way.Although he blamed his sister's lover for abandoning her ruthlessly, he also believed that she was at fault.It was she who ran away with him. According to her, he stayed in this city for a week a year before she ran away with him, and he visited her at that time.A year later, he came to this city again and stayed for two weeks.But this time, she was the one looking for him.At least that's what Clyde suspected.Because of his own interest in Hortense Briggs, he would not blame the relationship itself for any fault.

According to him now, there is nothing wrong with this matter itself, but the various consequences of this matter.If Esta had known all about it better before she went away, she would not have been in the wretched position she was in.Of course, women like Hortense Briggs and Greta Louise would never let themselves get into this situation like Esta did.They are too smart.He secretly compared her with them, at least this time she was out of luck.It seemed to him that she should have handled everything better.Because of this, he gradually hardened his heart towards her, although he was not indifferent.

At present, however, there was one thing which was haunting him and which was haunting him, and that was his infatuation with Hortense Briggs.For a man of his age, there was nothing else that could drive him so far.He hadn't had a few encounters with her before he thought she was the perfect embodiment of the kind of woman he used to dream of.She's so smart, pompous, charming, and really pretty.There was fire in her eyes.She was in the habit of pursing her lips and staring straight ahead indifferently.Has an extremely charming demeanor.As if she wasn't thinking of him.For him, these expressions affected his lust and made him burn with anxiety.Sometimes, it really made him feel weak and dizzy, and there seemed to be bursts of flames burning mercilessly in his veins.This kind of situation can only be called a kind of self-conscious carnal desire, a kind of thing like being tortured but unable to get rid of.Because apart from hugging and kissing, he couldn't get further satisfaction.He was even a little in awe of her.As for herself, she wants to arouse this kind of psychology in some young people, but in fact she hates it very much.The kind of boy she really liked and was always looking for was the kind of guy who would strip her of all these fake tricks and superiority and force her to commit himself.

In fact, she was always hesitating whether to like him or not.As a result he was always wondering what his situation was.She was particularly proud of his state of mind, but she refused to let him affirm it enough to give up on her completely.Every time she went to a party, or to dinner, or to the theater with him, he was always very careful from beginning to end, never too much.Her expression afterwards is often docile and charming, and will satisfy even the most ambitious lover.This situation often lasted until the end of the evening, when she was often at the door of the house.If she was sleeping at another girl's house, at someone's door or door, she would turn around suddenly and for no reason just shake his hand, or give him a cold hug and kiss, and call him go away.At this time, if Clyde is not interested and tries to force her to satisfy his desire, she will turn away angrily like a vicious cat, ignore him, or break free, seemingly disgusted for a while. look.As for why she did this, even she herself couldn't explain it clearly.The main psychology is probably that he doesn't want to be forced by him.And he, being so infatuated with her and too afraid of losing her, was so weak that he often had to just walk away, usually in a sombre, dejected mood.

However, her attraction to him was too strong, and he couldn't bear it if he didn't see her for a long time, and he often had to go to the place where she was most likely to meet her.These days, despite the seriousness of Esta's affairs, he was having hot, sweet, sensual dreams about Hortense.As long as she can really love him, that would be great.At night, when he sleeps at home, he often lies on the bed and thinks about her: her face, the expressions of her mouth and eyes, the curves of her body, her walking, dancing postures, and figure, all flash before his eyes, like letting go. Same as the movie.In his dream, he found her affectionately beside him, cuddling him tightly, her lovely body belonged to him, and at the most tense moment, it seemed that she was about to give her whole body to him, the dream suddenly When he woke up, Yi Ren was gone.

But there are also several things that seem to indicate that his success is still possible.First, like him, she also came from a poor family. She is the daughter of a mechanic couple. Until now, the whole family can barely make ends meet.She had nothing since she was a child, and she could only get a few trinkets and old clothes with a little cleverness.Until recently, her social position had been so humble that she could only associate with the butcher's and baker's boys and the like, the usual urchins and boys looking for work in her neighborhood.Even then, though, she had learned that she could and should capitalize on looks and charm, and she did.Many of these young men even went so far as to steal in order to get money to treat her to food and drink.

When she was a little older and able to do things, and she got in touch with some boys and adults she liked now, she realized that she didn't have to be too obedient to others, as long as she could deal with them skillfully, she could get interesting things.She was, however, too sensual and too much of a pleasure-seeker to separate gain from pleasure.On the contrary, she likes those she wants to use and doesn't want to be trapped by those she doesn't, and this often causes even herself a lot of distress.

In the case of Clyde, she liked him only a little, but couldn't help wanting to use him.She liked that he was willing to buy her the little things she liked: a handbag, a shawl, a purse, a pair of gloves, as long as she could reasonably ask for or accept it without seeming excessive.However, with her cleverness and cunning, she knew from the beginning that unless she could obey him and at a certain point, give him a definite reward, and she also knew that he was eager for this, then she couldn't play with him forever On the palm of the hand.

What attracted her most was that Clyde was willing to spend money for her.She might be able to get some more valuable things from him, for example, a beautiful and expensive dress, a hat, or even a leather coat that is often displayed in the market and is often worn by others.As for the gold earrings and watches, she was always jealous when she saw them in the windows of various shops, let alone.

Shortly after Clyde met his sister Esta, one day, Hortense was at noon on Baltimore Street near the fork of No. Also on the way is her female colleague Doris Trina in the store.In a small-scale fur shop, she saw an otter fur jacket. According to her, it was suitable for her figure, skin color and temperament, and it could greatly enrich her empty wardrobe.It was a modest coat, maybe a hundred dollars, but it was of a chic shape, and she thought it would enhance her charm when she wore it.

In a fit of excitement, she stopped, and cried, "Ah, never have I seen such a fashionable, lovely short coat! Oh, look at the sleeves, Doris," she seized her companion's arm, "look at the collar!" , and the lining! And these pockets! Oh, my God!" She marveled, trembling with joy and excitement. "Oh, it couldn't be more beautiful! It's the coat I've been longing for, oh, my God!" she exclaimed in a tone, thinking about the coat in front of her, and thinking about the way she stood in front of the window And the attractiveness of this demeanor to passers-by. "Oh, if only I could have such a coat!"

She clapped her hands adoringly.At this time, Isadore Robinstein, the eldest son of the store owner, was standing out of her sight, watching her posture and excitement, and immediately decided that if she came to ask for the price, it would be at least 25 to [-]% more than the original price. Fifty dollars, the original price of one hundred in the store. "Just do it!" he grunted.However, he was lecherous and romantic, and he thought that in terms of love, such a coat would have an exchange value.For example, what must such a beauty, poor and vain, have to give for this coat?

Hortense had a full feast of eyes during her lunch break before walking away.Yixin is still dreaming, in order to satisfy her blazing vanity, she is still thinking about how charming she will be when she wears this dress.However, she did not ask the price.So the next day, she had to go and see again, so she went again.This time I went alone, but I didn't think I could afford it.Instead, she was only vaguely thinking about how to get the coat, assuming the price was relatively low.At that time, she didn't think of playing other people's ideas.But she saw the coat again, and Mr. Robinstein standing in the doorway looking at her amiably, and finally stepped into the door.

"You like the coat, don't you?" Robinstein flattered as she pushed the door in. "Oh, I think that shows you have a sense of taste. It's the most expensive short coat we've ever had in our shop. It's a beautiful one. It looks great on a pretty girl like you!" He took it out of the window. Jacket, hold it high. "I saw it when you looked at it yesterday." There was a salivating look in his eyes.

Perceiving this, Hortense thought, a more indifferent and more indifferent air might be more accommodating and polite than affection.All she said was, "Really?"

"Yes, really. As I said before, the lady can tell it's a really nice coat when she sees it."

She could not help flattering herself with this flattery.

"Look here," Robinstein went on, shaking the coat and handing it to her. "Where can you find a second one in Kansas City today! Look at this silk lining, real Mallinson silk, and these slanted pockets, and these buttons, and it's amazing when you put it together. There is no coat like this in Kansas City today. Not one, never. This is our own design, and we don't repeat our patterns, we have our customers in mind. Please Come here." (He took her to the mirror with glass on three sides at the back.) "Like this coat, only people who need to wear it can wear it, and it looks good. I'll try it on for you."

Hortense saw herself in the coat in the carefully designed light, and it was charming indeed.She raised her head and turned around, with one small ear buried in the leather jacket.Robinstein stood aside, looking at her with such admiration that he almost rubbed his hands.

"Well," he went on, "look, how is it, huh? Didn't I say you've got it right? It's a great find for you. A rare find. You'll never find another one. As long as If you can find the second one, this one is free." He walked to her side and stretched out two fat hands, palms up.

"Oh, I must say it looks pretty on me," said Hortense, whose vanity was all about the coat. "However, I can wear any kind of clothes like this." She twisted her waist more and more, completely forgetting everything around her, and forgetting the impact of her enthusiasm on bargaining.Then she asked how much it cost.

"Ah, it's a real two-hundred-dollar coat," Robinstein began shrewdly, noticing a shadow of resignation on her face, and hastily added, "Sounds expensive, but of course we don't want that." More, $150. If you had to pay that much for this coat in Jellek, it would probably be more expensive. We are not in that area, and we don't have to pay high rents, but it is worth a good two hundred dollars."

"The asking price is dreadful," exclaimed Hortense, taking off her coat.She felt as if everything of value in life had been taken away. "Why, at Big and Baker's, for that much money, you can have a mink or otter jacket of your choice, and it's the most fashionable."

"Possibly, but not like this," Mr. Robinstein insisted. "Look at the collar again. Where can you find one like this? If you can find it, I'll buy it for you, and then I'll pay you back." Resell it to you for a hundred dollars. Honestly, this one was custom made, just before winter season, and it's an imposing replica of one of the prettiest coats in New York. You won't find one like it again. "

"Anyway, I can't afford $150," Hortense said sullenly, putting on her pea coat with fur collar and fur sleeves, and walking slowly to the door.

"Wait a minute! You like this coat?" Robinstein said smartly.He knew that she couldn't afford even a hundred dollars unless some man helped her fill her purse. "This coat is indeed worth two hundred. To be honest, our original price is one hundred and fifty, but since you like it so much, well, I can sell it to you for 120 five. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You are so charming, there must be many people willing to buy it I will buy it for you. I am one of them myself, and if you treat me well, I will also buy it for you."

He gave her a flattering smile, which Hortense understood, but repelled because it came from him.However, it would be very useful for him to praise her.She is not so vulgar that anyone can give her a gift.The person who gives her a gift must be someone she likes.

However, right after Robinstein said this, she began to think about her ideals.With her charming charm, she might be able to induce one of them to give generously.Charlie Wilkens of Orphea Tobacco Shop seemed extremely loyal to him, but he might not be willing to pay without a big reward.

Another young man, Robert Kane, tall, lively, ambitious for her, worked in a branch of the municipal electric company.But he was a bookkeeper, not only did not make much money, but he was too frugal, and he was always talking about the future.

And there was Bert Gertler, and he was just a libertine, addicted to dancing, and he couldn't be trusted now.He is just a street runner in a leather shoe store. He only earns about 20 yuan a week, and he spends every penny in half.

And Clyde Griffiths, who seemed to have a lot of money, and was willing to spend it on her readily.Her thoughts were racing so fast.She thought again, could she lure him to buy such an expensive gift all at once? She was not very kind to him, and she was very cold, so she was not absolutely sure.Here she stood, thinking about how to get that coat.Robinstein had been standing by watching her, dimly aware from experience what was the problem before her.

"Little girl," he said suddenly, "I know you want to buy this coat. I would like you to have such a coat. Now I have a way, the only way I can think of for you alone: ​​in these few days Any day during this period, you just bring $150, and if you still have the coat, you take it. I'm okay, keep it for you, how about it? Until next Wednesday or Friday. Okay?"

He smirked and shrugged, as if he really did her a favor.As for Hortense, as she walked, she thought to herself, if she could buy this coat for 150 yuan, it would be too cheap, and she would undoubtedly become the most beautiful woman in Kansas.

(End of this chapter)