american tragedy

Chapter 37

Chapter 27
Clyde was not very happy at Mrs. Kirby's.It was just a run-of-the-mill tenement house, at best it could attract conservatives from factories and shops.In these people's minds, their jobs, salaries, and Lycurgus' beliefs and beliefs are all important things to maintain the order and happiness of this world.If you're talking about entertainment and merrymaking, it doesn't work here.

But it wasn't entirely uninteresting to Clyde because there was a Walter Dillard here--a brainless little guy new from Fonda.This man was about the same age as Clyde, and he was equally ambitious for social status, but he did not have Clyde's tact and discernment in the affairs of the world.He works in the men's department of Stark Corporation.He was smart, warm-hearted, and pretty, with light black hair, a light mustache, and the air of a small-town dandy.He had no social status and little property, and his family was bankrupt, but there was something in his blood to want a social status.

However, until now, he has been unsuccessful, so he is envious and jealous of those with status, and his feelings are even stronger than that of Clyde.The stories of the city's famous families and their activities carried great weight in his heart.A few days after Clyde arrived, he found out that Clyde seemed to have a little connection with this circle, and he was very excited.Why? A Griffith—nephew of the Lycurgus rich man Samuel Griffith! Right here in the flat, at his table! He was determined to befriend this stranger as soon as possible.What a chance to get even a little acquainted with the most prestigious family in sight! Besides, he was young, handsome, and perhaps as ambitious as he was.As long as he could think of a way, wouldn't he be able to play with him? So, he immediately got close to Clyde.It's such a great opportunity, isn't it?

He immediately suggested going for a walk together, and said there was a movie showing at the Mohawk Cinema, and it was a very good movie, very exciting.Does Clyde want to go? Clyde thinks that Dillard is neat, smart, and has a style of his own, which is different from the monotonous and dull atmosphere in the factory and this apartment. Get along better with him.

But, he thought, he had great relatives here, and he should be careful about what he did.If you interact with others casually like this, you might make a big mistake.The Griffiths' family, and all the people in their circle, must have been, from his own contacts, far removed from the mediocre people here.Not so much out of rational considerations, but out of instinct, he looked indifferent, as if he was superior to others.When he treats others with this attitude, and treats the young man in front of him, they will respect him more, so he has to put on this attitude even more.Although he went out with this young man because of the other party's repeated invitations, even begging, but the expression he showed was still very cautious.His indifferent and reserved attitude, Dillard immediately interpreted it as the reason of "class background" and "kinship".Just imagine running into him in such a dreary and boring apartment.Besides, he has just arrived here, and his career here has only just begun.

Therefore, Dillard flattered him blindly, even though his current social status was higher than that of Clyde, and he also earned more than him, 25 dollars a week.

"I suppose you spend a lot of time with your relatives and friends," he said during their first walk.Before that, he had already heard some things that Clyde was willing to tell him from Clyde.But in fact, what Clyde said was equivalent to revealing nothing.However, Dilat took the initiative to change his life experience and recount it.His father now runs a department store.He came here to learn about other trades, and he talked a lot about it.He also has an uncle here who works for Stark Corporation.He has met a few people who are still of high status here, because he has not been here for a long time, only four months in total.

But how wonderful are Clyde's relatives!

"I said, your uncle must be worth a million, isn't he? I've heard people say that. Those houses on Wickie Street are too expensive. You know, in Albany, Utiga, Or Rochester, it couldn't be more beautiful, nor could it cost more. Are you a nephew of Samuel Griffiths? Yes! Ah, so you're in How much higher is the social status here. I really want to have such a relative, it will definitely raise my status."

He put on a gracious smile on Clyde's face.In this person, Clyde further realized how much his blood relationship meant to him.How much this strange young man took it.

"Ah, I don't know either," Clyde replied with some hesitation.Still, he took great pride in the assumption that he had such a close relationship. "You know, I didn't come here to play, but to learn the trade of shirt making. My uncle repeatedly told me to work hard."

"Of course, of course. I understand," Dillard replied, "my uncle treats me the same way. He wants me to work hard and don't be playful. You know, he is a purchaser of Stark Corporation. But , think about it again, one can't always work. You have to have fun from time to time."

"Yeah, that's right," said Clyde, with some reserve for the first time in his life.

They walked for a while in silence.

"Do you dance?"

"Jump," Clyde replied.

"Yes, I dance too. There are many low-class dance halls here, but I never go to them. You can't be in those chaotic places and be with high-class people at the same time. Some people say that this It's a city with sharp boundaries. Unless you're with good people, high-class people won't hang out with you. Fonda is the same way, you must 'belong to' some class, otherwise, you don't want to go anywhere. In my opinion, this is as it should be. However, even if it is so, there are still many very good girls here to hang out with. Girls from high-class families don't participate in any social activities, but they are still discussed. Got it, I understand. Besides, they are not the kind of cold people. Some of them are very enthusiastic. You don’t have to marry any one of them.” Clyde thought, the person in front of him is very interested in the newcomers here. Life is too hot.And at the same time, he did kind of like him. "Besides," continued Dillard, "what are your plans for this Sunday afternoon?"

"Oh, nothing in particular. I can't think of what to do just yet," replied Clyde, sensing that there might be something new about it. "At that time, it should be fine."

"Ah, if you are not too busy, I can take you to my uncle's house and introduce you to my uncle's family. They are all very nice. Then, I will introduce you to two girls, both of whom are very beautiful. One used to work in a store, but now she doesn't, stays at home. The other is a good friend of hers. They have a player piano, and they can dance. And I know it's dances on Sundays here, girl Our parents don't really care about that. We can take them to the movies, if you want, not in those places around the factories, in nice places, you know?"

Clyde wondered to himself what he was going to do.In Chicago, and more recently, he had been cautious and reticent about what was happening in Kansas City.Because, since that incident, whenever he was doing things at the club, the seriousness had always given him, a desire to make his life conform to the ideal here.But there was a paradise without Eve.

Although the environment here is very quiet, the atmosphere of this city still seems to have the kind of entertainment that the young man said.After dinner, the street was very lively, with many beautiful girls and young guys.However, if he did as the young man said, what would his new relatives think if they were seen? Didn’t he just say that this city has clear boundaries, and it’s clear who does what? .Thinking of this, he hesitated.However, he was so lonely and lonely that he really wanted to find a companion, so he replied: "Well, well, I think it's okay." However, he hesitated and said: "Of course, My relatives here..."

"Ah, of course, it's nothing," Dillard said skillfully.Imagine if he could walk around with a Griffith, wouldn't it be very respectable? Of course, in his opinion, he is already very respectable now.

He was going to buy Clyde a cigarette and a soda in a minute, whatever he liked--if he could afford it.However, Clyde still felt that it was inappropriate, and declined after hesitating for a while.He was a little tired of the young man's admiration of social status.He walked to where he lived.He had promised his mother to write a letter to her, and he thought it best to go back and write the letter, and at the same time consider whether to make friends with the young stranger.

(End of this chapter)