american tragedy

Chapter 38 (1)
Chapter 28 (1)
The next day was Saturday, and Mr. Huigan took the salary bag for him.

"Here you are, Mr. Griffiths," he said, "and here is your paybag."

Clyde accepted the salary bag and was satisfied with calling him "sir". As he walked towards his closet, he took out the money from the bag and put it beside him.Then, he took his coat and hat and went back to his residence.After lunch he felt very lonely, and Dillard was not at home because he had a job, so he decided to take the tram to Glofreville and take a look around.

It was a city with a population of more than 2, but it was very lively. Although it was not as beautiful as Lycurgus, he found this trip very interesting, because he went to a city with a very different social structure from Lycurgus.

The next day was Sunday, and he was bored in Lycurgus, wandering about by himself.And Dillard went back to Fonda for some reason, and the activity that had been scheduled on Sunday was also cancelled.On Monday night, Dillard ran into Clyde and told him that Wednesday night there would be a social gathering at the Digby Avenue Congregational Church, with refreshments, which he said was worth a visit.

"We should go there," he said to Clyde, "and talk to the girls. I wish you could meet my aunt and uncle. They're nice people, and the girls are nice. No fun guy. Then, about ten or so, you know, we sneak out and find Zella or Rita. Rita's got a lot of good records, but Zella's has a good place to dance. Besides, You didn't bring your collar, did you?" he asked.He visited Clyde's room when he was away, which was convenient, as Clyde's room was one floor above his.He found that Clyde had only one small suitcase, which was used to store clothes. Besides, there were no large suitcases, nor any suitcases.He thought that although Clyde's father owned a hotel, and Clyde himself worked at the United Club of Chicago, he must not care much about clothes.Otherwise, he must be striving according to a plan of tempering his character, a struggle independent of any human intervention.It didn't quite suit him.One should never neglect these social dues.However, Clyde belonged to the Griffith family after all, and this alone was enough for him, at least for now.

"No, I haven't," Clyde replied.He is not sure whether this adventure is worth it or not. Even at this moment, it is still like this. Although he himself is very lonely, "But I am going to buy a set." Really lacking, trying to get some money out of my recent hard-earned savings to make an outfit - at least $35.

Dillard was still babbling on and on, Zella Schumann's family was not very rich, they lived in their own house, and she also had contacts with girls from upper-class families here.So did Rita Dickman.Zela's father had a small house on the shore of Hokat Lake near Fonda.If Clyde liked Rita, he and Clyde could go there together this summer—summer with its holidays, its pleasant weekends.Because Rita and Zela are almost inseparable.Also, they were both beautiful, "Zera is black and Rita is white," he said excitedly.

Hearing that the girls were all beautiful, Clyde was very happy when he was feeling lonely and being pointed so highly by the young man in front of him.However, is it worthwhile to get too close to him? This is a question, after all, I don't know him at all.Besides, Dilat has such an attitude that he is so excited about this date and seems very frivolous. He guessed that Dilat and those girls must have exceeded the proper limits in social situations. There is debauchery in the dark.Isn't it because of this layer that he collapsed in Kansas? Especially in Lycurgus, he should not forget this, he shouldn't ruin his bright future because of these things .

That being said, by 08:30 on Wednesday night they were out together, Clyde's heart glowing with fervent hope.By nine o'clock, they had attended this religious gathering that was part religious, part social, part emotional.Raising some money for the church is the purpose of this meeting, but its actual function is more like giving older people a chance to chat, young people to criticize others, find a chance to flirt and flirt.There are also several stalls selling sweets, snacks, ice cream, and many other trinkets, all of which are brought by the church members, and the money from the sale of these items will be donated to the church.The Reverend and Mrs. Peter Israel were also there.Dillard's uncle and aunt were also present.They were all in high spirits, but no fun.Clyde sensed that they had no status here, that they lacked authority, that they were close to people as neighbors, although Grover Wilson sometimes had to put on a serious look because he was a buyer for the Stark Corporation. But he still thinks he is a character.

The man was short and fat, and he didn't seem to know how to dress decently, or maybe he couldn't afford it.His clothes were a far cry from those of his nephew, whose almost faultless clothes could not be found.Crumpled and greasy, as was the tie.He has a habit of rubbing his hands like an ordinary employee.Sometimes he frowned and scratched the back of his head, as if what he was about to say was well thought out and weighty.But in fact, Clyde knew very well that none of his words carried weight.

So did Mrs. Wilson.She, too, was short and stout, and stood by while her husband socialized with Clyde.Her face was just a smirk.Her body is really fat, her face is reddish, and her chin is almost doubled.She was laughing, probably because of her natural amiability and the rules she had to obey here, and because Clyde was such a person.Clyde had also seen that Walter Dillard had been trying to make his relatives notice that he was from the Griffith family.And let them notice that he already knew him, was his friend, it was he—Walter Dillard was here with him.

"Walter told us just now that you came here not long ago to work for your uncle. He said you lived at Mrs. Kirby's. I don't know her, but I always hear people say her place is very well decorated. And Mr. Pasley, who lives with her, used to be a schoolmate of mine, but I seldom see him now. Have you ever met him?"

"No, never." Clyde replied.

"By the way, you know, we wanted you to come to dinner on Sunday, but Walter had to come home. But you gotta come early, anytime. You're more than welcome." She smiled. , her small brown-gray eyes blinked.

Clyde sensed that, because of his uncle's high prestige, he had been treated like a social treasure.Because the people in front of him, regardless of age, respect him.Pastor Israel and his wife, ink dealer Mika, Lishans couple and son, grain and fodder wholesaler Maximon, Pick couple, florist Witners and real estate agent Mrs. Troshan, everyone Knowing the fame of Samuel Griffiths and his family, and his nephew, being with them, they all thought it was interesting and strange.The only downside is his easy-going attitude, which doesn't take for granted, nor is it arrogant.As for them, they respected arrogance, even though they pretended not to.

Young girls are more obvious.Dillard spread the word about Clyde and let everyone know, "This is Clyde Griffiths, nephew of Samuel Griffiths, Gilbert Griffiths and He's a cousin. He's only been here, learning the trade of shirting in his uncle's factory." Clyde was well aware that boasting like this was boring, but on the other hand he was delighted with the words.This young man has such a thick skin.He pretended, on account of Clyde, to have a special regard for everyone present.This time, he kept bringing Clyde with him, without giving him even the slightest leisure.In fact, he had already planned to let all the young men and women he knew and got along with at the venue know about Clyde's life experience.Let them all know that it was he, Dillard, who introduced him to everyone.Moreover, he tried his best to avoid meeting and not introducing anyone who didn't get along with him. "She's nothing, her parents just run a little auto repair shop here. If I were you, I wouldn't bother with her." Or, "He's nothing, just a It’s just a small clerk here.” For some people, he continued to praise them with a smile on his face, at least making excuses for their low social status.

(End of this chapter)