american tragedy

Chapter 80 (1)
Chapter 238 (1)
The doctor's decision terrified both Roberta and Clyde.As of today, everything is clear.For Roberta, it would be embarrassing to expose the illicit relationship.For Clyde, if the scandal is exposed, he will be ruined.That seems to be the future.Now, the gloom seems to have rolled up a bit, or so Clyde thought.Perhaps, as the doctor said, there is still a glimmer of hope in things.This is what she told him when she woke up.The guy at the grocery store, and Short and the doctor, said maybe she was mistaken.Although this statement could not arouse her happiness, Clyde was already a little numb.This is mainly because he knows that he cannot solve this problem, and he is afraid that if this is the case, he will definitely be ruined.That way he's not struggling anymore, just stalling for time, because that's just the way his character is.Although he also knew that procrastinating like this was not an option, but who could he find who would not endanger him? He felt that this matter was very difficult to handle.And, as he put it, the doctor had "turned her down."Besides, why didn't Short's words work?

For the next fortnight Clyde searched in terror for someone, but he found no one.It is not easy to ask others! It is impossible to do it at all.And who could he ask? There was no way but to drag it on.As the days passed, both he and Roberta took ample time to think about what they were going to do, even when the truth was unfortunate.Roberta was still urging him, although she didn't urge him verbally, but it could still be seen from her working expression.She has made up her mind that she will never allow to be abandoned like this, she doesn't want to struggle alone.But she also saw very clearly that in fact Clyde did nothing because he had no idea what to do and he had no one close to him.Because, he can only make this matter into a story and talk to a few people, hoping to get useful information.

Although Roberta's condition was pitiful, people told her to run around.This also seems to be able to dilute the shadows of disasters that appear in front of her eyes all day long.It would be great if someone could save her from this disaster! If only he could.Even if you can't find the real medical profession, you should be able to find the underground organization that messes with the relationship between the sexes! For example, it seems that you can find the waiters in the Green Davidson Hotel.But he is not familiar with these.He also wrote to Ratterer, but there was no answer, because Ratterer had moved to Florida and Clyde's letter had not yet reached him.As far as the local people are concerned, the people who are acquainted with him are either related to the factory or related to the social circle.These people are either inexperienced and too dangerous; or they are distant and dangerous.Because he was not very close to all the people and could not gain their confidence to keep his secrets.

But he can't let it develop freely or let it go.Roberta obviously did not agree with him to do that, and his affairs could not be covered up.He has to use his brain anytime, anywhere, and never let go of even a slim chance.For example, once a colleague happened to mention that a girl in his department was "in trouble" and had to leave the factory. He took the opportunity to ask if the girl was unable to raise a child or would not So what was she going to do, kid? But the foreman was as inexperienced as he was, and just said she should find a doctor she knew or just go through with it, and Clyde would get nothing.Another time, in a barber's shop, he was talking about a story in the Star that a girl was suing a local prodigal for breaking a promise.It was thought that she would not sue the fellow unless she had reached a point of despair.So Clyde took the opportunity to ask: "But, what good way do you think she can get through without having to marry that guy?"

"Well, it's not as easy as you think, especially in these places," said the guy who was cutting his hair. "First, it's illegal; second, it costs a lot of money. Because money It's easy to do!" He continued to cut his hair while talking.Clyde, who was full of worries, thought that this sentence was quite true. If he had a lot of money, maybe a few hundred dollars, he might take it out and persuade her to use the money to find a place to do it. Operation.

But the days went by without him making any other progress.Roberta also said to herself that she had to find a way by herself, and if Clyde didn't have a way, she couldn't count on him.This kind of thing is not a game, it is a responsible approach to her.It must be that Clyde has not yet fully realized the effect on them.If he can't help her through this crisis as he promised, then don't think that she can weather the storm by herself.This is absolutely impossible! Because in Roberta's eyes, Clyde is a man after all, with a good social status, but it is she, not him, who is in a predicament and cannot get out of it!

On the second day of her menstrual period according to her usual habit, she finally found out that what she least expected to happen was absolutely true.Since then, she has often used various methods to express her unspeakable pain.On the third day, she wrote him a note, saying that she was going to see the doctor in Gloversville again that night, asking him to help anyway, because she was in such a hurry.And she asked Clyde if he would go with her.Because Clyde hadn't done anything, he immediately agreed, and used this to shirk his date with Sandra.

So they went for the second time.Along the way he had a number of disturbing conversations with Roberta.He went on and on explaining why he hadn't achieved much until now, and said a lot of empty words like praising her for her courage.

But the doctor still didn't help.He waited an hour for her to come back from inside, only to tell her that she wasn't getting better and was terribly scared.He didn't have the slightest intention of helping her, because it violated his prejudices and ethical concepts.

So Roberta had to come back, and this time she was too sad to cry.The impending disaster and the fear weighed her down.

After Clyde heard the sad news, he was flustered and frightened, not knowing what to say.He was afraid that Roberta would make demands on him that he would not be able to accept politically and financially.Fortunately, she didn't say anything along the way.Instead, she just sat there quietly, staring out the window, thinking of the dreadful disaster that was approaching.She excused her headache and hoped to stay alone for a while and come up with a solution.Because she had to figure out a way, that was clear enough.But what could she think of? What could she do? Could she escape this catastrophe? She felt like a cornered beast making its last struggle.She thought of many very impractical escapes, but in the end she wanted to return to the only sure course, which was her marriage to Clyde, which she thought she deserved.

Why not? Hadn't she given him everything? So what was he to do with her? Relationship, he thinks this incident is a fatal blow to his beautiful vision, he clearly understands that love is over.As for her situation today, he thinks more about the impact on himself, which will affect him.Clyde's attitude terrifies Roberta.When she didn't even care about being afraid, his attitude aroused her resentment, and she finally came to the conclusion that since she was in such a hurry, she had a legitimate reason to make her dream request—— Marriage, there is no better way to go than this.And what can't be said? Isn't her life equally precious? Wasn't he willing to join? Now he can only make one last sacrifice, which is the only way to save her.All in all, what are all the people in social situations he cares about? Why sacrifice her future and reputation for his future? She was very obedient to his wishes at the beginning, but now he is tired of it, isn't it? In the midst of this peril, had she been abandoned for the slightest reason? Though he was interested in society, wasn't the path she was now obliged to take perfectly justified?

She always thought about it silently, especially after Dr. Glenn rejected her for the second time.From time to time, her face showed a look of resistance, which seemed to have never happened before, and it was only because of the persecution of this environment that it appeared.She was more determined than ever, and he must marry her.If there is no other way, she will force him to marry her.There is no other way but this, it must be so.Just think of her home, her mother, Grace Marr, the Newtons, and everyone who knew her, and the sudden horror, pain, and shame they felt.Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Absolutely not, never! Absolutely not! Clyde had always valued his own future so much that, even now, she thought, it might be a little too much.So what should she do? What should she do?

Therefore, the next day, Clyde received a note asking him to go there at night.He was surprised because they had been together for several hours last night.She hinted in her letter that she had something to say, and there was a tone of his insistence, which had never been there before.He knew immediately that this dangerous situation would be troublesome if it was not resolved immediately.With a heavy heart, but pretending to be indifferent, he agreed to see her and listen to her talk about her solution or complain about her troubles.

He went to her room very late and found her with a calmness he had never felt before.It surprised him, because he thought she would burst into tears, but it didn't, and there seemed to be a smug look on her face.This is because she is panicking about how to find a good solution, which also stimulates her inner clever potential. At this time, this character is also at work.

Before directly stating her method, she asked him first: "Clyde, you haven't found another doctor and thought of another way, have you?"

"Yes, not yet, Roberta," he said dejectedly, for he, too, had a splitting headache. "You know, I've been working hard, but it's really hard to find someone who really wants to do this. To be honest, I'm almost at my wit's end. Unless you have some good way, I really I don’t know what to do. Have you found someone else?” Because after she went to the doctor for the first time, he hinted her more than once, asking her to establish a closer relationship with a foreign girl as soon as possible , may know some more useful news.But Roberta was not that kind of person, and that kind of friendship could not be established at once, so there was no result.

However, his so-called "being stumped" just gave her a rare opportunity to put forward her proposition.And she also said that this is inevitable and can no longer be delayed.But she was still afraid of Clyde's reaction, so she thought about how to raise this matter.Then she shook her head, showing her fluster, and finally said, "Well, Clyde, I tell you, I've been thinking about this, and there's nothing I can do except You're married to me. It's been two months, and unless we're married, everyone will know, won't they?"

When she was saying this, her expression was very conflicted.On the one hand, she appeared brave on the surface because she thought she was right; on the other hand, she was uneasy in her heart, wondering what would happen to Clyde's attitude.At this time, Clyde's face showed a complex expression of surprise, disgust and fear.His expression changed drastically, and this change was enough to explain his inner thoughts, that is, she was hurting him for no reason.Since he and Sandra have been getting closer day by day, his hopes have been very earnest, so when he suddenly heard Roberta's request, he couldn't help but frown.His nerves immediately changed from the amiable expression despite the panic just now, to one of fear and opposition and determination to escape the terrible consequences.In this way, he was completely destroyed.Sandra, his position, his hopes and ambitions for power and position caused by the Griffiths, all this must be lost, nothing.The thought both frightened and hesitated him, and he didn't know what to do.But he decided not to do it! This is absolutely not possible!! He is absolutely not doing it!!!

But after only a few moments he stammered: "Well, ah, Roberta, that's certainly very good for you, because then everything will be settled without the slightest trouble." , but what about me? The actual situation is already like this, how can you want me to do it so easily? You also know that I have no money, no power, and all I have is this job. Moreover, everyone treats you at all I don't understand, not at all. If the truth comes out now, let people know that we are together, this matter has become a fact, I can only marry immediately, ah, then they will know that we are lying to them. In this way, They will be very distressed. And the result? They can even fire me."

(End of this chapter)