american tragedy

Chapter 40 (1)
Chapter 29 (1)
Clyde took a moment of intoxication from the experience, and went back to the old problem of what to do as usual.Now there is such a girl who is actively approaching him, and she is so straight to the point.But not long ago, he clearly reminded himself and told his mother that he would definitely change his past and never be like Kansas again, but now...

Now, he faces a tease.As soon as he got in touch with Rita, he had this feeling that she was hoping that he could make further expressions, and the sooner the better, the better.But how should I express it? Where should I express it? Certainly not in this big, weird room.In addition to the kitchen where Dilat and Zela hid, there are some other rooms here.But once this kind of relationship happens, what should I do? Is she willing to continue to develop it? If she quits, wouldn't she drag him into right and wrong? That would be a big trouble.He was dancing with her, flirting boldly, and thinking: I shouldn't have done this.You know, this is Lycurgus.Here, I am part of the prominent Griffith family! Everyone here, even what they think of me, I know everything.Do I really love her? Isn't there something wrong with her accepting me so easily? Also, isn't it too precarious even if it doesn't hinder my future here? Intimacy too soon Right? He was in the same mood as he had been in the Kansas City brothel, fascinated and disgusted at the same time.He just kissed her with a little restraint and flirted with her, but there was really no way to go any further.

Suddenly, a clock struck somewhere, and Rita thought she had to go, since Dilat didn't want to leave Zela, then he had to take Rita home.This was originally a happy thing, but now, because they all have a hazy feeling of disappointment or disappointment, the taste is far worse.He thought that just now, he made her dissatisfied.And she was also pondering that he obviously didn't have enough courage to take a step forward under her signal.

It's at her door.The road was not very far, and they were not silent along the way. They also mentioned that they would see each other another day, maybe the relationship between the two parties could develop, and it would be more fun that way.At this moment, her attitude was very clear and meaningful.They separated, and Clyde still warned himself in his heart: The relationship between us developed too fast. He also said that he didn't know if such a relationship should happen here. Even if it happened, shouldn't it be so fast? He arrived Where were the lofty resolutions before he came here? What was he to do? But he thought of Rita's body and her allure, and now he couldn't go any further because of his own resolutions. , otherwise it's okay, and you will feel uncomfortable all over your body.

Later, two things happened one after another, which finally prompted him to finally decide on his attitude towards this matter.One of the incidents involved the attitude of the Griffiths.With the exception of Gilbert, the family was not particularly opposed to him, or cared for him at all, first because Samuel Griffiths, and others under his influence, failed to see that unless It would have been awkward, if not so lonely, for Clyde to have shown him some basic courtesy, or to have graciously advised him.But Samuel Griffiths had been so busy that he hadn't a moment's spare time, and hadn't been able to remember Clyde for at least the first month.He heard that he was coming, and he had already made arrangements, and he would take good care of him in the future, at least there was nothing to do right now.

So, for five full weeks, there was no indication, and Gilbert Griffiths was satisfied with that.Clyde didn't know what was going on with him, but just hung out in the basement day after day.Because of this, some other people, including Dillard and the girls, finally understood that his status here was neither fish nor fowl.

After Clyde came here for a month or so, it was mainly because Gilbert was in a good mood, and he never mentioned him to his face.On this day, old Griffiths asked:

"Ah, what happened to your cousin? How is he doing now?" Gilbert didn't know what this meant, but he was a little worried.He replied, "Ah, he's nothing. I let him dry in the sink first, is that all right?"

"Yeah, I think so. In my opinion, it's a job that suits him better than any other job, so that he can learn from scratch. What do you think of him now?"

"Ah," replied Gilbert, with a steady, assertive air, which his father had always admired in him, "not much. I think he's all right, he might be able to handle it, but, I think, he might be here. There's no future in the business. You know, his education is very low, everyone can see that. Besides, he doesn't seem to be able to work, and he has no enthusiasm for work. He is too weak. But I don't want to make it difficult for him. Maybe he could. I have a feeling, though, that the only reason he's here is because he's your relation, and you can look after him a little more than you do the other workmen."

"Why, do you think he will have this idea? If he has this idea, then he is very wrong." Then he smiled as if joking, "Maybe he is not what you think Let's get out of the way. He's just here, so we don't know him well, right? I have a good impression of him in Chicago. Besides, there are many lower-level positions to put him in here, and even if he does something wrong, he won't lose. Big. I can't help him if he stays with the status quo. But I'm not going to send him away now, and I'm not going to let him do those temporary jobs, that would be inappropriate. After all, he is our relative. Let him wait for a while and see how he performs."

"Okay, Dad," his son said.He hoped that his father would forget about that guy as soon as possible and let him stay in the same place, in the lowest position in the factory.

However, Samuel Griffiths went on to say, "We're going to invite him to our house for dinner soon, aren't we?" This made him angry, but Samuel Griffiths didn't notice. "I've thought about it, but never had time. I should have said hello to your mother. He hasn't been out, has he?"

"No, Daddy, I've never heard of it." He didn't like the idea, but he was too manly to object right away. "We are waiting to hear from you."

"That's right," said Samuel, "you'd better find out where he is and let him out for a walk. I think it will be this Sunday." Sensing the unhappiness in his son's eyes, he said, "After all, he's my son." My nephew, Jill, we can't be indifferent to him, it's not good. Well, you can discuss it with your mother tonight, otherwise, I will talk about it myself." He was looking for documents in a drawer, but at this time, he put the drawer Turned off, stood up, put on hat, put on coat and left.

As a result, Clyde received an invitation to dine at Griffiths' house at 06:30 on Sunday afternoon.In normal times, at 01:30 on Sunday afternoon, the Griffiths' family will have an elegant and elegant lunch, and usually invite one or two local or out-of-town friends.By 06:30, almost all of these guests had left, even the Griffiths' family.Meanwhile the Griffiths and Myla were having a home-cooked meal, and Bella and Gilbert were usually on their engagements.

But this time it was different. Mrs. Griffiths, Myra, and Bella were all going to the dinner, except Gilbert.On the one hand he didn't like Clyde, on the other hand he did have a date to go.He said he was just able to come in and entertain for a while before leaving.Gilbert felt that this would save him from meeting with Clyde some important relatives and friends who might come in the afternoon.And they just took the opportunity to examine him for themselves.

Dilat, Rita, and Zela had nothing else to do, but because it involved other issues, they were greatly affected by the invitation from the Griffith family.After the party at Schumann's house that night, although Clyde was still hesitant, all three of them (including Rita, of course) felt that he had been fascinated by Rita's plump figure and beauty.Therefore, she tried every means to hint to Clyde.In the end, Dillard personally invited him, saying that since they were already dating and had a good impression, they should go on a short trip somewhere, at the weekend, either in Utiga or It's Albany.The girls were sure to go, and Zela would go and tell Rita if he was worried that Rita wouldn't be able to go. "She likes you. You know, a few days ago, Zela told me that she thought you were considerate and not aggressive at all. They thought you belonged to that kind of popular lover. Haha, How?" He nudged Clyde's arm lightly.But now, Clyde was very disapproving of such a proposal.Imagine who he is.If you change the environment, it may be different.This group of people are so excited to see other people's status higher than them! But he can see it very clearly.

Besides, the suggestion, though superficially attractive, might get him into very nasty trouble.He was poor in the first place, fifteen dollars a week, and if people thought he could always travel for a lot of money, he would have to go broke.Tickets, food, lodging, and maybe two people in the same car.Besides, if that was the case, he would be with Rita whom he didn't actually know.Maybe she still thinks it's possible to be so affectionate in Lycurgus, and hopes that the two of them will be closer in the future and take walks together... God, what if the Griffiths or his cousin see or hear about it? Didn't Zela say she always saw him on Lycurgus Street? They might have popped up at some time, some place, when they were together.Doesn't this make people think that he has close contacts with a low-level employee like Dillard? Maybe his career here will be completely ruined! What consequences will there be if this continues!

He coughed and said some excuses to push back.He has a lot of things to do for a while, and this is too risky, so he needs to think about it carefully.He should know, his relatives.Also, next Sunday, some temporary work at the mill would hold him back, and he couldn't leave Lycurgus, but he could think about it after that time.In fact, his erratic personality also reminds him of Rita from time to time — charmingly charming.Although he had made up his mind, he still wondered if he could live hard for two or three weeks, and then take a risk and play.He'd been saving up for a new suit and a top hat, so would he do something about it? Even though he knew it wasn't right.

That beautiful and sexy Rita!

But then came the invitation from the Griffiths.One evening, just returning home after get off work, he was very tired, but he was still pondering the feasibility of this trip, when he suddenly found a letter on the table in the room.The paper was beautiful and had been delivered while he was away.The initials "E?G" were exposed on the seal of the envelope, which caught his special attention. He immediately opened the letter and read:

My dear nephew:

Since you came here, my husband is always away.While we've always wanted you to be our guest here, I don't think it'd be right without him.Well now he has time and we would be more than happy if you could find time to have dinner with us on Sunday afternoon at 06:30.Our dinner was very ordinary, just our own family.So, whether you can come or not, you don't have to write letters, you don't have to call, and you don't have to wear any special clothes for it.However, having said that, if you are free, we would still like you to come.Our family will be very happy to see you.

your sincere aunt

Elizabeth Griffiths

When people ignored him and allowed him to work in an unsatisfactory sinkhole, Clyde always felt more and more strongly that his wish might be an unrealized fantasy at all, and he could not climb high at all. This relative.But after reading this letter, he was actually in a daze, thinking wildly.Look how wonderful this letter is, and it says "It would be a great pleasure to see you as a family".It seems to have shown that people's impression of him is not bad.The reason was that Samuel Griffiths had been unable to find time.And now, he had to go and see his aunt, his cousins ​​and everything in that splendid house, it must be nice.Maybe they'll take care of me a little bit more after that, who knows? Just when he'd given up hope, this letter came, and it was terrific!

(End of this chapter)