american tragedy

Chapter 57

Chapter 223
Some time later, one evening in November, Clyde was walking on Wickie Avenue, west of Central Road.This is a famous street in the city, and since he moved to Mrs. Peyton's house, he has often walked here to and from get off work.His heart was full of joy at that time, which was endowed by youth and ambition, and the sight of the end of the year made his ambition even stronger.He has a good place where he is respected.In addition to board and lodging, fifteen dollars a week was enough for him and Roberta.It wasn't as much money as at the Green Davidson Hotel or the United Club, but unlike those places, family misfortunes were no longer implicated in him.The other difference was that the trouble of loneliness was gone now, and there was Roberta secretly giving himself to him.As for the Griffiths, thank God, they don't know a thing.If something happened, how to keep them from knowing, he didn't even think about it.It is his habit that he does not like troublesome accidents.

Although the Griffiths family and their group of friends were reluctant to acknowledge his status socially.But maybe because he was the head of a department, one of the deputy managers, Mr. Rudolph Smilie, asked him very kindly and easy-going whether he played golf or not; Moskie Golf Club.Doesn't this mean that Mr. Smillie thinks he is a person who can participate in social activities? Doesn't it mean that he and many people in the factory are beginning to understand that he has such an important relationship with the Griffiths family.

Besides, there was another thought, that after supper he might meet Roberta again, in her room, and it was so early, around eleven o'clock, that it interested him. He was taller, and walked on the road with more vigor.After so many secret relationships between the two of them, they became more courageous unconsciously.So far they have remained undetected, and they think they may remain undetected in the future.In case she found out, she might as well deduce that Clyde was her brother or cousin.After discussing it, they decided that Roberta might as well move elsewhere after this, in order to prevent others from discussing and discovering again.In this way, they can continue to communicate.It was not easy to move once, or at least it was better than not being able to come and go freely, and Roberta had to agree with this.

This time, however, a new relationship came up, and an incident was thrown in that turned his thoughts entirely in another direction.He came to the front of the more luxurious houses on Wickie Avenue.Although he didn't know who lived there yet, he stared with interest at the high iron railings and the tidy lawn inside.The dim lights of the street shone there.He could also see a pile of withered and yellow leaves that had just fallen on the lawn, blown up and fluttered by a gust of wind.He felt that the house was solemn, quiet, elegant and beautiful, and this solemn and rich style moved him very much.Two lamps were burning above the middle door, casting a halo of light all around.As he approached the door, a large, solid car drove up to the door and stopped.The driver got out of the car first and opened the door. Clyde immediately saw Sandra Finchley in the car, leaning forward slightly.

"Go through the door, David, and tell Miriam I can't wait for her. I'm going to dinner at Double's, but I can always be back at nine. If she's not here, leave this note, and hurry." A little bit, will you?" Her tone and look were terribly haughty, but very likable, just the way it had charmed him this spring.

Meanwhile, thinking it was Gilbert Griffiths coming along the pavement, she called out: "Ah, are you going by yourself to-night? You can go in my car if you'll wait, I called Send a note from David, and he'll be right back." Sandra, though attracted to Bella and the Griffiths' wealth and power, didn't like Gilbert.She originally wanted to make friends with him, but he was indifferent to her from the very beginning, and it is still the same until now. He hurt her self-esteem.For a vain and arrogant person like her, this was the most taboo thing, and she could never forgive him.She couldn't, and wouldn't, tolerate even the slightest bit of self-righteousness, especially in Bella, a pompous, cold, self-centered brother.She felt that he was too conceited.This kind of person is too conceited, so he refuses to serve anyone. "Hey! the fool," she thought, thinking of him, "what the hell does he think he is? Of course he thinks he's somebody around here, a Rockefeller or a Morgan or something." , but as far as I can see, I really can't see any merits in him, not at all. I like Bella, I think she is very cute. But this smart guy, I think he still wants to Let the girls come and wait on him. Well, I'm not that kind of guy." Whenever he was told what Gilbert did or said, Sandra's comments were roughly the same.

As far as Gilbert was concerned, he often heard Bella talk about Sandra's self-righteousness, her look, her wishes, and so on.He used to criticize like this: "Ah, the contemptuous little fellow! What kind of person does she think she is? What a real, arrogant little fool! . . . "

However, Lycurgus has a strict hierarchy, and there are very few qualified people. Therefore, those who are "in the circle" have to be perfunctory to other people in the "circle".It was precisely because of this that she greeted this misunderstood Gilbert.Just as she moved a little closer from the car door to make room, Clyde was taken aback by the sudden greeting. He woke up from his posturing and contemplation, and he couldn't tell if he was listening. Wrong, so he walked over, his demeanor can be said to be like a well-trained dog, with a docile temper, will be lovable, quite affectionate and longing for something.

"Ah, good evening," he said aloud, taking off his hat and bowing, and adding, "How are you?" and thinking that this was the beautiful and delicate Sandra.I met her at my uncle's place a few months ago.He had been reading about her social engagements in the papers this summer.She was as lovely now as ever, sitting in this beautiful car, obviously saying hello to him.But Sandra realized at once that she had been mistaken, that he was not Gilbert, and was embarrassed, not knowing for a moment how to get out of the situation.

"Excuse me. You are Mr. Clyde Griffiths. I can see clearly now. I was mistaken. I took you for Gilbert. I can't see well in the light." For a while she seemed embarrassed, restless, and hesitant.This Clyde also noticed.He also noticed that it was because she had identified the wrong person.For him, the meaning in the middle is not to save face; for her, it is also very embarrassing.So he was very flustered and anxious to go away.

"I'm sorry, but it's nothing. I didn't mean to disturb you. I thought..." His face turned red, and he really didn't know what to do.

However, Sandra immediately noticed that Clyde was more handsome and shy than his cousin, and was clearly attracted by her beauty and social status.She smiled coquettishly, leaned over and said, "It's nothing, please get in the car. Where are you going, I'll take you off. Oh, please don't be too polite, I'll be more than happy to take you there."

Clyde knew that she had admitted a mistake to greet him, and immediately showed a look. She knew that he was wronged, ashamed, and disappointed as soon as she saw him.There was a look of grievance in his eyes, and a hesitant, embarrassed and slightly sad smile on his mouth.

"Oh, yes, of course," he said hurriedly, "I mean, if you're happy, I can see why, and that's all right. But if you're not, then don't bother. I meant I thought..." He originally turned his body halfway and wanted to walk away, but he was so attracted by her that he couldn't move his body.She added: "Oh, please do come up, Mr. Griffiths. I'm so glad you came up. David's sure to have you in a while. I'm sorry about that too, really. I'm very sorry. But, you know, it's not that you're not Gilbert Griffiths...'.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward hesitantly, got into the car, and sat next to her.She was very interested in him, and looked at him at once, thinking that she was glad it was not Gilbert.In order to get a good look at Clyde, and at the same time to show Clyde the beauty she thought would be breathtaking, she turned on a light on the roof.When the driver came back, she asked Clyde where he was going.Reluctantly, he told her the address, because it was far from the street where she lived.As the car sped forward, he was eager to think about how to make the most of this very short time and make her have a good impression of him.Who could tell, it made him have a little desire to see her again sometime in the future.He really hoped that he could become a part of her world.

"It's very kind of you to take me by car," he said, turning his face to her, smiling, "I didn't realize you were calling my cousin, otherwise, I wouldn't have come over gone."

"Oh, it's nothing, there's no need to say any more." Sandra said mischievously, with a soft and sweet tone in her voice.She now felt that her first impression of him was never as vivid as it is now. "It's my fault, not yours. But I'm glad it's a mistake," she went on, with certainty and a charming smile. "I think I'd rather take you than Jill. We don't get along very well, and he quarrels wherever I meet." She smiled, and the momentary embarrassment was gone now.She was leaning back in a princess-like manner, and at the same time was gazing at Clyde's regular features with great interest.She thought how soft and smiling his eyes were, and how proud he was of Bella and Gilbert's cousin, she thought.

"Oh, that's too bad," he said, with an unnatural attitude, and tried to appear confident and even energetic in front of her, but in the end he pretended to be awkward, self-defeating, and not strong enough.

"Well, it's really nothing. We just quarrel now and then."

She found him tense, shy, and embarrassed to speak in her presence, and she took pride in the thought of making him so dazed and awkward. "Are you still doing errands for your uncle?"

"Oh, yes," Clyde answered her hastily, as if he would have been looked down upon by her had he not been acting for his uncle. "I'm in charge of a department now."

"Oh, really? I don't know. You know, I haven't seen you since that time. I don't think you have much time to be out and about, do you?" She looked at him as if to say, "Your relatives don't pay much attention to you." But now that she really liked him, she changed her tone and said, "I think you live all summer long." In the city?"

"Oh, yes," said Clyde, honest and agreeable, "you know I have to. Work holds me back, but I keep seeing your name in the papers, I also saw news that you participated in horse races and tennis matches, and saw you participate in a costume parade in June! Of course I think you are very beautiful, just like an angel."

There was a look of admiration and flattery in his eyes, which made her quite moved.What a lovely young man, and what a difference from Gilbert.She just greeted him occasionally, and he seemed so fascinated by her love.It made her feel sorry for him a little, a little, and was kinder to him because of it.Also, what would Gilbert think if he knew that his cousin was completely overwhelmed by her? He would be very angry that he thought she was a fool? The idea of ​​Ryder taking the lead and making him a little more smug than he (Gilbert) would have liked so he could give him a good lesson was very much to her liking.

Unfortunately, however, the car stopped in front of Mrs. Peyton's house.For Clyde, Sandra, and for Sandra, this chance meeting is over.

When the driver opened the door and Clyde got out of the car, she smiled and said: "I was very nervous because of the grandeur and significance of this encounter." "Ah, you used to live here. Are you planning to live in Lycurgos all winter?"

"Ah, yes. I hope so," he said, full of reluctance.

"Can I meet you somewhere, sometime next time?" he asked.

She nodded and stuck out her fingers to kiss him, her mouth parted in a very charming little smile.His heart has reached the point of being stupid.

"Goodbye! Goodbye!" she called as the car drove away.Clyde watched the car behind him, wondering if he would ever see her again as he had just done.Ah, he actually met her again! Besides, she was completely different from the first time.Clyde still clearly remembered that she had no idea about him at all that time.

He turned and walked toward his own room, full of hope and longing.

And Sandra... the car sped forward, and she was thinking, why did the Griffiths care so little about him?

(End of this chapter)