ile her feelings were different, increased her knowledge of its character. Minnie, after the good spir

his working clothes, and looked at Carrie throug

"it's pretty hard

owed plainer than any words that sh

lingering a moment as he turned upo

achine," ans

ide of the flat's success. He was irritated a shade because it could

ave been a jolly home, a sympathetic reception, a bright supper table, and some one to say: "Oh, well, stand it a little while. You will get something better," but now this was ashes. She began to see that they looked upon her com

aid of physical expression. He was as still as a deserted chamber. Carrie, on the other hand, had the blood of youth and some imagination. Her day of love and the mysteries of courtship were still ahead. She could think of things she would lik

he came. After supper she changed her clothes. When she was trimly dressed she was rather a sweet little being, with large eyes and a sad mouth. Her face expressed the mingled expectancy, dissatisfaction, and depression she felt. She wandered about after the

id Minnie to her husband when the latter came out, pa

time, anyhow," said Hanson

said

ere you. She might be here week

would, and Hanso

er, "I wouldn't let her stand in the

her," sai

Her imagination trod a very narrow round, always winding up at points which concerned money, looks, clothes, or enjoyment. She would have a far-off thought of Columbia Ci

ed by a bakery, and to this, while she was standing there, Hanson came down to bu

," was all he sa

rrie was doing. No sooner did he draw near her with that in mind than she felt it. Of course, she had no understanding of what put it into her

e quarter hours that Drouet was not coming, and somehow she felt a little resentful, a little as if she had been forsaken--was not good enough. She went upstairs, where everything was sil

ned Minnie. "You've got to

rest which they could mutually discuss. As on the previous morning, Carrie walked down town, for she began to realise now that her four-fifty would not even allow her car

earisome as the preceding, but considerably less novel.

u come from?"

hired me,"

d then, "See that yo

"common." Carrie had more imagination than they. She was not used to slang. Her instinct in the matter of dres

k to her neighbour. "What with the stipend an

exchanged banter in rude phrases, which at first shocked her. She saw

y." He really expected to hear the common "Aw! go chase yourself!" in return, and was

any. Standing at the street door looking out, she ventured to walk out a little way. Her easy gait and idle manner attracted attention of an offensive but com

e stroll, are yo

ummoned sufficient thought to reply: "Why, I

matter," said th

, reaching her own door quite out of breath. There w

found herself too tired to walk home, and expended car fare. She was not very stro

uires sometimes a richer soil, a better atmosphere to continue even a natural growth

a position so quickly, and had seen more of the

s worn and faded. There was the kind of vanity in Carrie that troubled at this. She went to one of the gre

for, Carrie?" asked Mi

d one," sa

oolish

y. She was not going to be a common shop-girl

less. That worthy gave up just four dollars less toward the household expenses with a smile of satisfaction. He contemplated increasing his Building and Loan payments.

reet for a walk," sh

are you?" as

eturned

't," said

e tone she put into the last word they realised f

sked Hanson, when she went into

know," sa

now better than to wa

d the highly coloured reports which girls give of their trivial amusements. They had been happy. On several days it rained and she used up car fare. One night she got thoroughly soaked, going to catch the c

d to her the fact that they had more of their earnings to use for themselves than she did. They had young men of the kind whom she, since her experience with Drouet, felt abo

mers of smoke from the tall stacks, and raced about the streets and corners in sharp and sudden puffs. Carrie now felt the problem of winter clothes.

out clothes," she said one evening wh

looked

elf one?" she suggested, worried over the situation

k or so, if you don't

two dollars?"

was elated and began figuring at once. She needed a hat first of all. How Minnie explained to Hanson she n

ut of the warm shop at six and shivered as the wind struck her. In the morning she was sneezing, and going down town made it worse. That day her bones ached and sh

said Carrie. "I

tering chill, and went to bed sick. The n

better go back home for a while. When she got up after three days, it was taken for granted that h

"I'll go down Monday and se

she had spent for a hat. For three days she wandered about, utterly dispirited. The attitude of the flat was fast becoming unbearable. She hated to

es without success. She even answered for a waitress in a small restaurant where she saw a card in the window, but they wanted an experien

only rosy-cheeked, but radiant. He was the essence of sunshine and good-humour

his irresistible f

out home,

t there. I thought it was you. I was just co

t," said Carr

over and saw som

lk to you. You're not going an

now," sa

omething to eat. George! but

ch looked after and cared for, that she assented gl

was an exuberance of good-fellowship in the wor

h an excellent cuisine and substantial service. Drouet selected a table close by the window, where the busy ro

ie and himself comfortably s

ngs she saw there awakened her desires, but the high prices held her attention. "Half broiled spring chicken--seventy-five. Sirloin s

exclaimed Droue

l-chested, round-faced negro, ap

ooms," said Drouet.

ed the negro, no

brown po

ssa

arag

ssa

pot of

ng since breakfast. Just got in from Rock Isl

miled an

went on. "Tell me all about y

ned Carrie, answeri

ed at h

you haven't been

e nod

? You don't look very well. I thought you loo

," said

t say so!

told

ouse. over here on Fifth Avenue, isn't it? They'r

nything else," sa

ghtn't to be working for those people. Have the

said

Drouet. "You don't want to work

tter of serving. He appeared to great advantage behind the white napery and silver platters of the table and displaying his arms with a knife and fork. As he cut the meat his rings almost spoke. His new suit creaked as he stretched to reach the plates, brea

outside seemed a splendid thing. Ah, what was it not to have money! What a thing it was to be able to come in here and dine! Drouet must be fortunate. He rode on train

e you got sick, eh?" he said.

that hung outside this fine restaurant like a

that won't do. How long

s," she a

to be doing anything like that. These girls," and he waved an inclusion of all s

nd her eyes were large and gentle. Drouet looked at her and his thoughts reached home. She felt his admiration. It was powerfully backed by his liberality and good-humour. She felt that she liked him-that she could continue to li

e theatre with me?" he said, hitching his

an't," s

u going to d

answered, a l

out there where

don't

ing to do if you

home, I

ence he was exerting was powerful. They came to an understanding of each oth

sympathy filling his mind for the time. "L

he said, le

u going to d

ing, merely sha

bills in his vest pocket--greenbacks. They were soft and noiseless,

ee you through all right. G

nd now she realised how bad off she was. In his crude way

r. They were quite alone in their corner, a

said, "what can you do

eld it fast, and she no longer protested. Then he slipped the greenba

--that's all right.

ge tie of affection now. They went out, and he walked

e said in one place, abstractedly. Carrie hea

rrow," he said, "and we'll g

ed a while, bu

g. Get yourself a nice pa

ch would trouble her when he was gone. In his prese

e people out there," he said

ed out before her to draw off trouble. The money she had