american tragedy

Chapter 62

Chapter 226
During dinner, everyone only talked about some gossip, such as famous people, plans, etc. Most of them had no direct connection with Clyde.However, because he was good at coping, he dispelled a lot of his disgust and derived indifference at once, especially some ladies who were interested in the fact that Sandra Finchley liked him, and Jie who was sitting next to him Er Duble wanted to know his specific situation, who he was, how his relatives and friends were, and what his purpose in coming to Lycurgus was.All these questions were posed to him one by one in the joking and chatting of everyone, which made Clyde feel a little bit overwhelmed.He felt that it was inconvenient to tell all about the family situation, so he said that his father owned a small hotel in Denver.He had come to this city because his uncle had persuaded him to come to Lycurgus and learn the collar trade.He has no definite idea about his interest in this line of work and whether he can stay for a long time.He doesn't want to know whether this line of work is suitable for his future development.This sentence made Sandra and Jere who were listening next to him have the impression that no matter what the rumors released by Gilbert, Clyde must still have some money and a certain status. If he is not happy here , you can go back.

His status and whether he was rich were important, everyone thought so.For, though he was good-looking and agreeable, and had relations here, they said he was nothing but a pauper.And he just wanted to join his uncle's family.This statement is very disturbing to hear.A penniless clerk or a person who lives on relief, even if he has good relatives, the most he can do is be polite to him.However, if he had some money and some status elsewhere, the situation would be quite different.

Sandra felt much more at ease now.In addition, he is more compatible with others than imagined.Therefore, she was more industrious than she had imagined.

"May I dance with you after supper? Where did you guys have a dance lately?" She gave him a good-natured smile, and he took the opportunity to ask first.

"Why, well, of course, if it pleases you," she answered him coquettishly, intending to draw him into further infatuation with her.

"Only one jump?"

"How many times do you want it? You know, there's a dozen boys here. Did you get a program when you came in?"

"I did not see it."

"That's nothing. After dinner, you can get one. For the third and eighth, you can dance with me. In this way, you can also dance with others," she smiled charmingly. "You know, you should entertain everyone."

"Yes, I know," he was still looking at her, "but ever since I met you at my uncle's house last April, I've been wishing to see you again. I'm always looking for your name in the papers."

He looked at her as if he wanted someone to take pity on him, and waited for someone to answer him. Sandra couldn't help being fascinated by the innocent words.Wherever she went and the games she played, he obviously had no such possibility to do it, but he could pay attention to her name and her movements in the newspapers.She couldn't help but want to talk more about it.

"Oh, really?" she went on. "You're very kind, aren't you? But what did you hear about me?"

"I saw you on No.12 Lake, Greenwood Lake, and went to Sharon to participate in swimming competitions. I also saw the news that you went to Paul Smith's house. The newspapers here seem to think that you are interested in someone in Qulong Lake , and said that you might marry him!"

"Ah, do they say that? It's so boring. The newspapers here are too much, and they always say silly things." Her tone seemed to tell Clyde that what he said was too much.He suddenly felt embarrassed.In this way, her spirit calmed down for a while, and she continued to talk as before.

"Do you like riding horses?" she asked sweetly and gently.

"I don't ride much. You know, I've had a lot of practice in the past, but I always feel like I just have to practice."

"Of course, it's not difficult. Just practice it once or twice, and you'll be good. Besides," she said in a lower voice, "we can try to find some time to ride the horses and play slower. I believe that our stables Among them, there must be a horse you like."

Clyde was so proud that his hair almost stood on end.No one was in the mood to eat, because the four-piece band had already arrived, and the first part of the dance music was already playing from the sitting room next door. It was a wide and long room, and only these chairs were cleared away. All the furniture was moved out of the way.

"Before people go away, you'd better line up the program and the order of your dancing," Sandra reminded him.

"Okay, I'll watch it right away," Clyde said, "but you and I can only dance twice?"

"Okay, then the third, fifth, and eighth in the first half." She happily waved her hand away, and he hurried to find the dance card.

The dances I danced this time were the relatively popular foxtrot at that time, and the dancers could change a little according to their own interest and temper.Clyde had danced a lot with Roberta in the last month, so he was still dancing pretty well.And he thought how exciting it was to finally have an association, and even an inexplicable, unexplained special feeling, with such a wonderful girl as Sandra.

He tried to make the people he danced with think he was polite and interested, but he kept confusing Sandra.Sandra was dancing mesmerizingly in Grant Cranston's arms. Every time she jumped next to him, she looked this way, but she had to act as if she hadn't seen it. Let him feel that her Sandra is so charming, with such a beautiful and elegant attitude towards life, she is a beautiful flower.Nina Temple, who was dancing with him, said to him at this moment: "She is really elegant, isn't she?" "Who?" Red up. "I don't know who you are talking about, who is it?"

"You don't know, then why are you blushing?"

Only then did he realize that he blushed, knowing that his evasive attitude was a bit ridiculous.He turned his head, but at this moment the music stopped, and the partners separated to their respective seats.Sandra also walked back to her seat with her partner.Clyde accompanied Nina to a cushioned chair by the library window.

Then he was with Bettina.When he was courting her, her indifference, sarcasm, and indifference made him feel very embarrassed.She paid attention to Clyde mainly because Sandra still found him interesting.

"You're a pretty good dancer, aren't you?" I reckon you must have danced a lot before, in Chicago, or somewhere else?"

She spoke coldly and very slowly.

"I was in Chicago before I got here, but I don't dance much, I have to work." He was thinking now that a girl like her has everything she wants and Roberta has nothing.However, he now felt that he would prefer Roberta to this girl.She is sweeter, more enthusiastic, more kind, at least not so cold and arrogant.

The music resumed, with the crisp, melancholy sound of the saxophone, when Sandra came over and took his left with her right, putting his arm around her waist.This is a natural, friendly, and comfortable posture.To Clyde, who dreamed of her day and night, it was like a dream.

Then, with her coquettish skill, she looked him in the eyes and smiled.It was a gentle, soul-stirring, and seemingly infinitely affectionate smile. He felt his heart beating wildly, and his throat felt dry and tight.She was wearing a well-fitting dress and a delicate perfume, like the breath of spring, which made him feel like a spring breeze, which fascinated him.

"Have a good time?"

"Happy, especially when looking at you."

"There are so many beautiful girls for you to see?"

"Oh, there's no girl as good as you."

"And I'm the best dancer, aren't I? And I'm the prettiest girl here, well, I'll say it all for you. What else do you have to say?"

She looked up at him provocatively, and Clyde blushed, feeling that he was dealing with a girl who, unlike Roberta, did not know what to do.

"I see," he said seriously, "everyone says that to you, so you don't want me to say it."

"Ah, no, not all of them," he retorted honestly, and Sandra felt both happy and stumped by him, "There are a lot of people who don't think I'm beautiful."

"Oh, as if it were true," he replied with great joy, for he sensed that she was not joking with him.But he dared not say anything more to praise her.He diverted the conversation to other things, and then the conversation went back to the horse riding and playing tennis mentioned at dinner, and he asked: "You like all the games and sports outside, don't you?"

"Oh, is there anything else you don't like?" she answered immediately excitedly. "There is really nothing I like more than this. I like horseback riding, tennis, swimming, motorboats, and spinnakers. I like it like crazy. You swim too, don't you?"

"Ah, of course." Clyde said proudly.

"Do you play tennis?"

"Well, I'm just learning," he said, and he dared not say he couldn't play at all. "Well, I just like tennis. We might as well play tennis sometime."

This remark lifted Clyde's spirits again.At this time, she danced lightly like the dawn to the mournful tune of a popular love song, and said at the same time: "Clyde Griffiths, prospecting Stewart, Grant and I are really good at doubles." Son. This summer, in Greenwood Lake, the No.12 Lake finals, almost all of them were defeated by us. As for driving the spinnaker and diving, then you should see my performance. We are now on the No.12 Lake There's one of the fastest motorboats, Stewart's. I can go sixty miles an hour."

Clyde understood at once that she was talking about a subject not only dear to her, but one that she was very excited about.This game was not merely an obsessive outdoor exercise, but it was a favorite of those of her social acquaintance.She could show off her victorious skills.In addition, there are some, but he still doesn't know enough for the time being, these games can give her the world she is most fascinated by, and it can be said to overwhelm everything else.How beautiful she is in a bathing suit, a riding outfit, or a tennis, dancing, or driving outfit!

They both went on dancing, feeling a little intoxicated by the feeling of affection in both of them.A kind of enthusiasm and excitement was expressed in Sandra's various hints. If Clyde could be qualified in every way, she would probably play with him here and there.He thinks these can become reality.In fact, he looks confident on the surface, but hides a psychology that even he doesn't trust himself. There is a very eager but sad look in his eyes. When he speaks, there is a strong and confident voice in his voice Melancholic tone.She might have noticed that too if she had paid attention.

"Ah, it's over," he said gloomily.

"We'll send them another one," she said, dancing.The band played another brisk tune, and they jumped up again, with light dance steps galloping, and they indulged in the dance floor following the rhythm of the music, like two small pieces of wood floating in the undulating waves.

"Oh, what a pleasure to be with you, this is so beautiful...Sandra."

"You can't call me that, you know, you don't know me very well."

"Oh, I mean Miss Finchley. You're not mad at me, are you?"

His face was pale and sad again.

She also noticed this.

"I'm not really mad. I... kind of like you when you're not emotional."

The music stopped, and the light dance steps became a stroll.

"I want to see if it's still snowing outside," Sandra asked.

"Ah, fine. Let's go."

They hurried past a moving couple.Walk out of a side door, and come to a world covered with light, quiet, feather-like snowflakes.But seeing flakes of snowflakes still dancing in the unconscious silence in the air.

(End of this chapter)