american tragedy

Chapter 71 (1)
Chapter 233 (1)
Among the many things Roberta soon discovered was one that quickly confirmed her instincts about all this.Just like in the past, now I always change the date plan temporarily, miss the appointment without explaining any reason, and always insist that there is really no other way after the fact.Although she sometimes complained to him or pleaded with him or just silently "pityed herself" secretly, the situation did not change in the slightest.Clyde was completely infatuated with Sandra and would never change, or even be moved, by Roberta.Sandra is wonderful.

Every day when she was working, she was always in the same room with him, and he always unconsciously noticed some thoughts that were troubling her, which were miserable, sad, and hopeless thoughts.These thoughts sometimes hurt his heart, as if he was making a complaint or complaining, which made him feel very uncomfortable, so he couldn't help suggesting some ways to calm her grievances, for example, he wanted to see her, this time If she is at home tonight, he is going to come.And she, so utterly infatuated with him, could not deny that she wanted him to come, and once there the emotion was again irrepressible, both from the previous kindness and from the allure of the room itself.

But he was delusional, looking forward to his future beyond the limits of local society, and he was very worried that his current relationship with Roberta would hinder his future.What if, for some reason, Sandra found out about his relationship with Roberta? What a fatal blow it would be! Or, if Roberta knew that he loved Sandra with all his heart , so it aroused strong resentment, and even reported or exposed him, so what should we do? Since the date on New Year's Eve, he often came to the factory in the morning to explain, what about Griffiths, Harriet Home, or someone else, in a word, someone invited him, for example, he made an appointment a day or two ago, and now he said that he really couldn't come tonight.Later, three times before and after, because Sandra came to call him by herself, he left without a word of explanation, thinking that he might as well find an impromptu excuse the next day and let it go.

However, it may be unusual, though not unsurprising, that this situation of sympathy and disgust finally aroused in him the idea that whatever it turned out to be, if she If he doesn't let him go quietly, as he wishes, he'll have to find a way to sever that connection, even if it means killing Roberta (why should he love her? ? He never told her that he wanted to marry her!), even if his position here would be damaged by it, he had to do it.At other times, however, it made him feel that he was a cunning, shameless, cruel man who should not have seduced this girl, who would never have provoked him if he had not pursued her.Although sometimes the attitude towards her is too casual, or she has clearly made an appointment but lied, there is no reason to ignore her or even not come, but because of the latter thinking, the sexual power of human beings is really strange, and the original hell is carried out again. Or the commandment in heaven to Adam and his descendants: "You shall desire your husband."

One thing that must be said about their relationship is that, because of their inexperience, Clyde and Roberta did not really know better methods of contraception than the simplest and often ineffective , also never used.In the middle of February, it is amusing to say, when Clyde was still doting on her, and was on the verge of making up his mind to break with Roberta, not only physically, but in all relations; She also saw clearly that he was just perfunctory to her, but she was still so obsessed with him, and it was useless to pursue him like this.

In order to reduce her pain, at least to satisfy her self-esteem, it is best to leave here and find a financial way out somewhere else. On the one hand, she can deal with the past, and on the other hand, she can help her parents , and forget him if he can.But, very unfortunate, and to her great horror, it was at this very moment that she had to enter the factory one morning with a more serious fear than any fear that had tormented her before. Many, much more terrifying looks.In addition to the painful conclusion she had reached about Clyde, last night there was a dark, mortal terror: as things stand, I am afraid that even the above cannot be done, at least for the time being. And so, because, from her own and Clyde's momentary mutual passion, combined with her irrepressible love for him, which was the most dangerous thing for both of them, she found herself pregnant.

Ever since the day when she listened to his sweet words and obeyed his will, she often counted the days, and what she always took pleasure in was that every day went smoothly.But 48 hours have passed by the always accurate time, but there is not even a shadow.And in the previous four days, Clyde had never even been by her side.His attitude in the factory was also more distant and colder than before.

But at this moment, this thing happened!

Moreover, there is no one who can help her except him, but he is so alienated and indifferent to her.

What she feared was that it was not so easy to get out of the mess that was driving her, with or without Clyde's help.This caused her to be very alarmed.She seemed to see her home, her mother, some of her relations, and all who knew her, and what they would think of her should such misfortune happen to her.The general public opinion in society, what people would say, was what Roberta was afraid of.The stigma of impropriety and absurdity! The shame of bastards! In the past she had heard girls talk to married women about life, marriage, adultery, girls who were taken in by men and then abandoned. How unfortunate, wait.What a terrible woman she kept thinking.A woman could have married safely and securely, with the love and protection of a man.For example, like the love of brother-in-law Gable for his sister, no doubt her father's love for her mother in the first few years, and Clyde's love for herself.Clyde had always spoken so wildly of how much he loved her.

But, now, now!

She must not allow some thoughts she had about his recent behavior to get in the way of her own actions.In any case, he must help.At this point, there was nothing else to do, and she didn't know which way to go.Of course Clyde has a way.Anyway, he said earlier that if something goes wrong, he will definitely help her with all his strength.Although when she arrived at the factory on the first day or even the third day, she was still worried that maybe she had exaggerated the severity too much, maybe there was some physical disease, or the time was wrong, maybe she would be fine , but in the second half of the day, there was no difference. An indescribable fear gnawed at her heart.The little courage she had wrought so far was beginning to falter, break down, and she was all alone now, unless he came to her aid.Moreover, what she urgently needs is someone to give her an idea, an idea with a heart, an idea with affection.Oh, Clyde! Clyde! I wish he'd stop being so indifferent to her! He shouldn't be! Something must be done, and at once, quickly, or, God, it's just an accident It's about to get out of hand!

At four or five o'clock in the afternoon, she immediately stopped working and hurried to the lounge.There, she picked up a pencil and wrote a note.Because she was anxious and angry, she wrote in a mess.

Clyde, I must see you tonight, please, please, don't miss the appointment.I have something to tell you.Come or meet anywhere right after get off work.I'm not angry or angry about something.But I must see you tonight, please! Please tell me immediately where to meet.

Roberta

When he looked at the note, he realized that it was a note that he had never seen before, and he was very frightened. He immediately turned his head and looked at her, only to see that she was pale and nervous, and he signaled that he would go.It can be seen from her expression that what she wants to tell him must be extremely important to her, otherwise, why would she be so nervous and excited? I went to dinner with the Kes, but that had to be done first.But what the hell is it? Someone dead, injured, or something, her mother, her brother, her sister?

(End of this chapter)