american tragedy

Chapter 23 (2)
Chapter 115 (2)
"Well, you really are to-night," she said with an itchy smile, "and I shall punish you very well." Before he could reply, Hortense began to tell a set of purely fictional stories.According to her, she was dating a guy named Tom Keeler.These days, she said, the kid stares at her and asks her to go out to eat and dance.She decided to "dump" him only tonight, naturally for Clyde.At least this time.She also called Keeler and told him that there was no need to meet tonight, and the appointment was canceled outright.But when she came out of the gate through which the workers came and went, she still saw someone waiting for her. Who else could it be, Tom? Well-dressed, and his car.They'd take her to Greene Davidlin's if she liked it.He was so handsome, but she didn't go.Anyway, not tonight.If she hadn't managed to evade him, she might have been late.Fortunately, she saw him from a distance first, and then walked another way.

"You should have watched me run around the Sargent and circle into the Bailey Building," she said, with self-absorbed air, of her slipping away.She described herself and the great Keeler for a while, and this fascinated Clyde, and he took her inventions as fact.

Then they walked towards the Gasby Hotel on Westdot Street near Tenth Street.Clyde had only recently heard that this one was much better than the Frisell Hotel.Hortense stopped and looked in the windows, saying how she wished she could find a coat that fitted her well: this one was worn out, and she would have to get another one.In this way, Clyde immediately wondered if she was hinting that he would buy her one.He also thought that since she needed one, it might be of great benefit to their relationship if he bought her a short coat.

Just on this street, Robinstein's shop came into view.The window was brightly lit, showing the coat clearly.Everything went according to the original plan, and Hortense stopped in her tracks.

"Ah! look at that pretty little coat," she began, trying to look ecstatic, as if for the first time in her life she was attracted by the beauty of the coat.Her whole demeanor indicated that this was her first fresh impression. "Oh, this one's the cutest, prettiest, prettiest little thing you've ever seen, isn't it?" she went on.The more she wants it, the more the pose plays. "Oh, look at that collar, that cuff, that pocket, isn't that the most stylish thing you've ever seen?" She glanced at Clyde out of the corner of her eye to see if his reaction was what she expected.

As for him, touched by her strong interest, he looked at the coat curiously.It's certainly a beautiful coat, no doubt about it.But, alas, what a piece like this would cost! Had she drawn his attention to the virtues of the coat in order to get him to buy it for her? It was at least two hundred dollars a piece! Especially lately, A considerable portion of his extra income had been given by his mother to his sister Esta.But her look seemed to suggest to him that that was what she was thinking.His heart cooled down, and he even froze.

He calculated in his heart, very sad.Hortense could find someone to buy it for her if she wanted it.Like that boy Tom Keeler just mentioned, and, what's more scary, she's just that kind of girl.Besides, if he didn't buy it for her, she would look down on him because he couldn't do these jobs for her.

She said loudly: "As long as I have such a coat, will I still be reluctant to give it to you?" Hearing this, he was annoyed, but not in a good mood.She didn't want to say it so bluntly, but she wanted to tell Clyde what was in her heart very skillfully.

Although Clyde was inexperienced and not shrewd, he could understand the implication of this sentence.That is... that is... I am very reluctant to make clear what this sentence means for the time being.Now... now... if only he had the money to buy the coat, that would be great.He had a presentiment that she was thinking of a way to get the coat.But what could he do, if he could manage to get her the coat, if he would promise her that he could get her the coat these days, so what if it wasn't too expensive ?Does he have the guts to tell her tonight, or tomorrow, after finding out the price first, as long as she is willing...then...then, ah, the coat, no matter what she really wants, he I can buy it for her.However, one must be sure that she is not playing tricks on him like in the past.He wouldn't buy her a coat and get nothing--yes, absolutely not.

He trembled with excitement beside her at the thought.And she, standing there, staring at the coat, thinking that unless he was smart enough to get it for her, and really understood what she meant—she was willing to pay a price for the coat, well, well. Well, this is the last time.A man who can't even do this or doesn't want to stand up for her at all, don't want to hang out with her, that is, it is absolutely wishful thinking!

They continued on to the Gasby's Hotel.During the meal, there was not much talk of anything else throughout the meal, except for how fashionable that coat was, and how gorgeous it would look on her.

"Don't worry," she said defiantly, for she sensed that Clyde was uncertain about his ability to afford a coat. "I've got to figure out a way to get this coat. I think Well, if I go into the store and ask Mr. Robinstein he'll sell it to me for a decent amount upfront. Another girl in our store got her coat once like that ’” She was lying again, hoping to entice Clyde to work for her.However, fearing that the price would be too high, Clyde hesitated and did not say what he planned to do.He wouldn't even estimate the price of such goods, maybe two hundred or even three hundred dollars.If he agrees, he is not sure that he can do it.

"You don't know how much they want, do you?" He said anxiously, thinking at the same time, if he gave her a little cash this time, and she didn't give him any guarantee, what right did he have to ask her to pay more than she had in the past? What's more? He already remembered how she used to lure him into buying things for her, and then wouldn't even allow him to kiss her.Thinking of how she used to think that he could grow as long as he wanted, and as short as he wanted, he was really disgusted in his heart, his face became hot, and his heart was excited.However, he remembered that she said just now that no matter who it was, as long as she got the coat for her, she would be willing to do anything, which probably meant that.

"No... I don't know," she hesitated at the beginning, not sure whether to quote the original price or a higher price.Because, if she asked for an installment payment, Mr. Robinstein might have bargained higher.However, Clyde would not help her if she spoke too expensively. "But I don't think it will exceed 120 dollars. If it is more, I will not spend this money."

Clyde breathed a sigh of relief.After all, it is not two or three hundred yuan.He figured that if she made an agreement with someone to pay a certain amount up front, say fifty or sixty dollars, he could try to get it together in the next two or three weeks anyway.However, if the $300 had to be paid in one lump sum, Hortense would have to wait a little longer.Besides, he had to find out if he was getting paid, well, got to find out.

"That's a good idea, Hortense!" he exclaimed, but never giving any indication why he should approve of the measure. "Why don't you do that? Why don't you ask the price first, how much you need to pay up front, and maybe I can help a little."

"Oh? That's great!" Hortense clapped her hands. "Oh, you can really help? Isn't that great? I knew I'd get this coat. I know, I'll talk to them Talk, they will definitely give it to me."

As Clyde had expected and feared, she seemed to have forgotten that it was only with his help that the coat could be obtained.But now the situation is just as he had expected, and it has been taken for granted that he will pay for it.

After a while, noticing his gloomy face, she went on: "Oh, you're not the sweetest and loveliest person in the world for doing me such a favor. Don't worry, I'll keep that in my heart forever Just wait and see, you won't regret it." Then he gave him a look that bordered on generosity.

He may be too young and easy to deal with, but he is not a mean and low-class person.She was now determined to reward him well.As long as she gets this coat, she will treat him very well and let him taste the sweetness.In order to fully explain her thoughts, and let him know her true feelings, she glanced at him affectionately with her eyes.This little romantic gesture made him fantasize.He was almost flattered, and he felt an irresistible dynamism.At this moment, his body was limp in front of her, as if he would fall down at any time.When he thought of what her true feelings might mean, he was a little flustered again.

In spite of this, he promised that if the coat did not exceed $120, and he could pay in installments, the first deposit was 25 yuan, and the subsequent payments were 25 yuan each, and he could manage to do it in two payments.She said she was going to have a look tomorrow.Might be able to persuade Mr. Robinstein to give him the coat right away for $[-] down payment; otherwise, by the end of the second week.

Next, she was genuinely grateful to Clyde.Walking out of the hotel, she whispered in his ear, she will never forget this matter, he just wait, she will wear this coat for the first time for him.If he wasn't working then, they might as well go eat somewhere.She has to get this coat before she goes for a ride.

She also proposed to go to a dance hall to play.During the dance, she clung to him with infinite affection, and showed all kinds of lingering affection, which made Clyde tremble and a little dazed.

He returned home, thinking about the day's affairs like a dream, thinking that the first installment payment should not be difficult.For, encouraged by acquiescence, he was going to borrow twenty-five dollars from Rattler or Hegglund, and pay them back when the jacket was paid for.

But, oh, fair Hortense, she was to be his at last.It was like a dream - the unbelievable has come true!

(End of this chapter)