Chapter 29

THESOLACEOFTRAVEL—THEBOATSOFTHESEA

Totheuntraveled,territoryotherthantheirownfamiliarheathisinvariablyfascinating.Nexttolove,itistheonethingwhichsolacesanddelights.Thingsnewaretooimportanttobeneglected,andmind,whichisamerereflectionofsensoryimpressions,succumbstothefloodofobjects.Thusloversareforgotten,sorrowslaidaside,deathhiddenfromview.Thereisaworldofaccumulatedfeelingbackofthetritedramaticexpression—“Iamgoingaway.”

AsCarrielookedoutupontheflyingsceneryshealmostforgotthatshehadbeentrickedintothislongjourneyagainstherwillandthatshewaswithoutthenecessaryapparelfortraveling.ShequiteforgotHurstwood’spresenceattimes,andlookedawaytohomelyfarmhousesandcozycottagesinvillageswithwonderingeyes.Itwasaninterestingworldtoher.Herlifehadjustbegun.Shedidnotfeelherselfdefeatedatall.Neitherwassheblastedinhope.Thegreatcityheldmuch.Possiblyshewouldcomeoutofbondageintofreedom—whoknows.Perhapsshewouldbehappy.Thesethoughtsraisedherabovetheleveloferring.Shewassavedinthatshewashopeful.

ThefollowingmorningthetrainpulledsafelyintoMontrealandtheysteppeddown,Hurstwoodgladtobeoutofdanger,Carriewonderingatthenovelatmosphereofthenortherncity.Longbefore,Hurstwoodhadbeenhere,andnowheremembered

thenameofthehotelatwhichhehadstopped.Astheycameoutofthemainentranceofthedepothehearditcalledanewbyabusman.

“We’llgorightupandgetrooms,”hesaid.

Attheclerk’sofficeHurstwoodswungtheregisteraboutwhiletheclerkcameforward.Hewasthinkingwhatnamehewouldputdown.Withthelatterbeforehimhefoundnotimeforhesitation.Anamehehadseenoutofthecarwindowcameswiftlytohim.Itwaspleasingenough.Withaneasyhandhewrote,“G.W.Murdockandwife.”Itwasthelargestconcessiontonecessityhefeltlikemaking.Hisinitialshecouldnotspare.

WhentheywereshowntheirroomCarriesawatoncethathehadsecuredheralovelychamber.

“Youhaveabaththere,”saidhe.“Nowyoucancleanupwhenyougetready.”

Carriewentoverandlookedoutthewindow,whileHurstwoodlookedathimselfintheglass.Hefeltdustyandunclean.Hehadnotrunk,nochangeoflinen,notevenahair-brush.

“I’llringforsoapandtowels,”hesaid,“andsendyouupahairbrush.Thenyoucanbatheandgetreadyforbreakfast.I’llgoforashaveandcomebackandgetyou,andthenwe’llgooutandlookforsomeclothesforyou.”

Hesmiledgood-naturedlyashesaidthis.

“Allright,”saidCarrie.

Shesatdowninoneoftherocking-chairs,whileHurstwoodwaitedfortheboy,whosoonknocked.

“Soap,towels,andapitcherofice-water.”

“Yes,sir.”

“I’llgonow,”hesaidtoCarrie,comingtowardherandholdingouthishands,butshedidnotmovetotakethem.

“You’renotmadatme,areyou.”heaskedsoftly.

“Oh,no!”sheanswered,ratherindifferently.

“Don’tyoucareformeatall.”

Shemadenoanswer,butlookedsteadilytowardthewindow.

“Don’tyouthinkyoucouldlovemealittle.”hepleaded,takingoneofherhands,whichsheendeavoredtodrawaway.“Youoncesaidyoudid.”

“Whatmadeyoudeceivemeso.”askedCarrie.

“Icouldn’thelpit,”hesaid,“Iwantedyoutoomuch.”

“Youdidn’thaveanyrighttowantme,”sheanswered,strikingcleanlyhome.

“Oh,well,Carrie,”heanswered,“hereIam.It’stoolatenow.Won’tyoutryandcareformealittle.”

Helookedratherworstedinthoughtashestoodbeforeher.

Sheshookherheadnegatively.

“Letmestartalloveragain.Bemywifefromto-dayon.”

Carrieroseupasiftostepaway,heholdingherhand.Nowheslippedhisarmaboutherandshestruggled,butinvain.Heheldherquiteclose.Instantlythereflamedupinhisbodytheallcompellingdesire.Hisaffectiontookanardentform.

“Letmego,”saidCarrie,whowasfoldedclosetohim.

“Won’tyouloveme.”hesaid.“Won’tyoubeminefromnowon.”

Carriehadneverbeenill-disposedtowardhim.Onlyamomentbeforeshehadbeenlisteningwithsomecomplacency,rememberingheroldaffectionforhim.Hewassohandsome,sodaring!

Now,however,thisfeelinghadchangedtooneofopposition,whichrosefeebly.Itmasteredherforamoment,andthen,heldcloseasshewas,begantowane.Somethingelseinherspoke.Thisman,towhosebosomshewasbeingpressed,wasstrong;hewaspassionate,helovedher,andshewasalone.Ifshedidnotturntohim—acceptofhislove—whereelsemightshego.Herresistancehalfdissolvedinthe

floodofhisstrongfeeling.

Shefoundhimliftingherheadandlookingintohereyes.Whatmagnetismtherewasshecouldneverknow.Hismanysins,however,wereforthemomentallforgotten.

Hepressedhercloserandkissedher,andshefeltthatfurtheroppositionwasuseless.

“Willyoumarryme.”sheasked,forgettinghow.

“Thisveryday,”hesaid,withalldelight.

Nowthehall-boypoundedonthedoorandhereleasedhisholduponherregretfully.

“Yougetreadynow,willyou,”hesaid,“atonce.”

“Yes,”sheanswered.

“I’llbebackinthree-quartersofanhour.”

Carrie,flushedandexcited,movedawayasheadmittedtheboy.

Belowstairs,hehaltedinthelobbytolookforabarbershop.Forthemoment,hewasinfinefeather.HisrecentvictoryoverCarrieseemedtoatoneformuchhehadenduredduringthelastfewdays.Lifeseemedworthfightingfor.Thiseastwardflightfromallthingscustomaryandattachedseemedasifitmighthavehappinessinstore.Thestormshowedarainbowattheendofwhichmightbeapotofgold.

Hewasabouttocrosstoalittlered-and-whitestripedbarwhichwasfastenedupbesideadoorwhenavoicegreetedhimfamiliarly.Instantlyhisheartsank.“Why,hello,George,oldman!”saidthevoice.“Whatareyoudoingdownhere.”

Hurstwoodwasalreadyconfronted,andrecognizedhisfriendKenny,thestock-broker.

“Justattendingtoalittleprivatematter,”heanswered,hismindworkinglikeakey-boardofatelephonestation.Thismanevidentlydidnotknow—hehadnotreadthepapers.

“Well,itseemsstrangetoseeyouwayuphere,”saidMr.Kennygenially.“Stoppinghere.”

“Yes,”saidHurstwooduneasily,thinkingofhishandwritingontheregister.

“Goingtobeintownlong.”

“No,onlyadayorso.”

“Isthatso.Hadyourbreakfast.”

“Yes,”saidHurstwood,lyingblandly.“I’mjustgoingforashave.”

“Won’tyoucomehaveadrink.”

“Notuntilafterwards,”saidtheex-manager.“I’llseeyoulater.Areyoustoppinghere.”

“Yes,”saidMr.Kenny,andthen,turningthewordagainadded:“HowarethingsoutinChicago.”

“Aboutthesameasusual,”saidHurstwood,smilinggenially.

“Wifewithyou.”

“No.”

“Well,Imustseemoreofyouto-day.I’mjustgoinginhereforbreakfast.Comeinwhenyou’rethrough.”

“Iwill,”saidHurstwood,movingaway.Thewholeconversationwasatrialtohim.Itseemedtoaddcomplicationswithveryword.Thismancalledupathousandmemories.Herepresentedeverythinghehadleft.Chicago,hiswife,theelegantresort-allthesewereinhisgreetingandinquiries.Andherehewasinthissamehotelexpectingtoconferwithhim,unquestionablywaitingtohaveagoodtimewithhim.AllatoncetheChicagopaperswouldarrive.

Thelocalpaperswouldhaveaccountsinthemthisveryday.HeforgothistriumphwithCarrieinthepossibilityofsoonbeingknownforwhathewas,inthisman’seyes,asafe-breaker.Hecouldhavegroanedashewentintothebarbershop.Hedecidedtoescapeandseekamoresecludedhotel.

Accordingly,whenhecameouthewasgladtoseethelobbyclear,andhastenedtowardthestairs.HewouldgetCarrieandgooutbytheladies’entrance.Theywouldhavebreakfastinsomemoreinconspicuousplace.

Acrossthelobby,however,anotherindividualwassurveyinghim.HewasofacommonplaceIrishtype,smallofstature,cheaplydressed,andwithaheadthatseemedasmallereditionofsomehugewardpolitician’s.Thisindividualhadbeenevidentlytalkingwiththeclerk,butnowhesurveyedtheex-managerkeenly.

Hurstwoodfeltthelong-rangeexaminationandrecognizedthetype.Instinctivelyhefeltthatthemanwasadetective—thathewasbeingwatched.Hehurriedacross,pretendingnottonotice,butinhismindwasaworldofthoughts.Whatwouldhappennow.Whatcouldthesepeopledo.Hebegantotroubleconcerningtheextraditionlaws.Hedidnotunderstandthemabsolutely.Perhapshecouldbearrested.Oh,ifCarrieshouldfindout!Montrealwastoowarmforhim.Hebegantolongtobeoutofit.

Carriehadbathedandwaswaitingwhenhearrived.Shelookedrefreshed—moredelightfulthanever,butreserved.Sincehehadgoneshehadresumedsomewhatofhercoldattitudetowardshim.Lovewasnotblazinginherheart.Hefeltit,andhistroublesseemedincreased.Hecouldnottakeherinhisarms;hedidnoteventry.Somethingaboutherforbadeit.Inparthisopinionwastheresultofhisownexperiencesandreflectionsbelowstairs.

“You’reready,areyou.”hesaidkindly.

“Yes,”sheanswered.

“We’llgooutforbreakfast.Thisplacedownheredoesn’tappealtomeverymuch.”

“Allright,”saidCarrie.

Theywentout,andatthecornerthecommonplaceIrishindividualwasstanding,eyeinghim.Hurstwoodcouldscarcelyrefrainfromshowingthatheknewofthischap’spresence.Theinsolenceinthefellow’seyewasgalling.Stilltheypassed,andheexplainedtoCarrieconcerningthecity.Anotherrestaurantwasnotlonginshowingitself,andheretheyentered.

“Whataqueertownthisis,”saidCarrie,who

marveledatitsolelybecauseitwasnotlikeChicago.

“ItIsn’taslivelyasChicago,”saidHurstwood.“Don’tyoulikeit.”

“No,”saidCarrie,whosefeelingswerealreadylocalizedinthegreatWesterncity.

“Well,itisn’tasinteresting,”saidHurstwood.

“What’shere.”askedCarrie,wonderingathischoosingtovisitthistown.

“Nothingmuch,”returnedHurstwood.“It’squitearesort.There’ssomeprettysceneryabouthere.”

Carrielistened,butwithafeelingofunrest.Therewasmuchabouthersituationwhichdestroyedthepossibilityofappreciation.

“Wewon’tstayherelong,”saidHurstwood,whowasnowreallygladtonoteherdissatisfaction.“Youpickoutyourclothesassoonasbreakfastisoverandwe’llrundowntoNewYorksoon.You’lllikethat.It’salotmorelikeacitythananyplaceoutsideChicago.”

Hewasreallyplanningtoslipoutandaway.Hewouldseewhatthesedetectiveswoulddo—whatmovehisemployersatChicagowouldmake—thenhewouldslipaway—downtoNewYork,whereitwaseasytohide.Heknewenoughaboutthatcitytoknowthatitsmysteriesandpossibilitiesofmystificationwereinfinite.

Themorehethought,however,themorewretchedhissituationbecame.Hesawthatgettingheredidnotexactlyclearuptheground.Thefirmwouldprobablyemploydetectivestowatchhim-PinkertonmenoragentsofMooneyandBoland.TheymightarresthimthemomenthetriedtoleaveCanada.Sohemightbecompelledtoremainheremonths,andinwhatastate!

BackatthehotelHurstwoodwasanxiousandyetfearfultoseethemorningpapers.Hewantedtoknowhowfarthenewsofhiscriminaldeedhadspread.SohetoldCarriehewouldbeupinafewmoments,andwenttosecureandscanthedailies.Nofamiliarorsuspiciousfaceswereabout,andyethedidnotlikereadinginthelobby,sohesoughtthemainparlorontheflooraboveand,seatedbyawindowthere,lookedthemover.Verylittlewasgiventohiscrime,butitwasthere,several“sticks”inall,amongalltheriffraffoftelegraphedmurders,accidents,marriages,andothernews.Hewished,halfsadly,thathecouldundoitall.Everymomentofhistimeinthisfar-offabodeofsafetybutaddedtohisfeelingthathehadmadeagreatmistake.Therecouldhavebeenaneasierwayoutifhehadonlyknown.

Heleftthepapersbeforegoingtotheroom,thinkingthustokeepthemoutofthehandsofCarrie.

“Well,howareyoufeeling.”heaskedofher.Shewasengagedinlookingoutofthewindow.

“Oh,allright,”sheanswered.

Hecameover,andwasabouttobeginaconversationwithher,whenaknockcameattheirdoor.

“Maybeit’soneofmyparcels,”saidCarrie.

Hurstwoodopenedthedoor,outsideofwhichstoodtheindividualwhomhehadsothoroughlysuspected.

“You’reMr.Hurstwood,areyou.”saidthelatter,withavolumeofaffectedshrewdnessandassurance.

“Yes,”saidHurstwoodcalmly.Heknewthetypesothoroughlythatsomeofhisoldfamiliarindifferencetoitreturned.Suchmenasthesewereoftheloweststratumwelcomedattheresort.Hesteppedoutandclosedthedoor.

“Well,youknowwhatIamherefor,don’tyou.”saidthemanconfidentially.

“Icanguess,”saidHurstwoodsoftly.

“Well,doyouintendtotryandkeepthemoney.”

“That’smyaffair,”saidHurstwoodgrimly.

“Youcan’tdoit,youknow,”saidthedetective,eyeinghimcoolly.

“Lookhere,myman,”saidHurstwoodauthoritatively,“youdon’tunderstandanythingaboutthiscase,andIcan’texplaintoyou.WhateverIintendtodoI’lldowithoutadvicefromtheoutside.You’llhavetoexcuseme.”“Well,now,there’snouseofyourtalkingthatway,”saidtheman,“whenyou’reinthehandsofthepolice.Wecanmakealotoftroubleforyouifwewantto.You’renotregisteredrightinthishouse,youhaven’tgotyourwifewithyou,andthenewspapersdon’tknowyou’rehereyet.Youmightaswellbereasonable.”

“Whatdoyouwanttoknow.”askedHurstwood.

“Whetheryou’regoingtosendbackthatmoneyornot.”

Hurstwoodpausedandstudiedthefloor.

“There’snouseexplainingtoyouaboutthis,”hesaidatlast.“There’snouseofyouraskingme.I’mnofool,youknow.Iknowjustwhatyoucandoandwhatyoucan’t.Youcancreatealotoftroubleifyouwantto.Iknowthatallright,butitwon’thelpyoutogetthemoney.Now,I’vemadeupmymindwhattodo.I’vealreadywrittenFitzgeraldandMoy,sothere’snothingIcansay.Youwaituntilyouhearmorefromthem.”

Allthetimehehadbeentalkinghehadbeenmovingawayfromthedoor,downthecorridor,outofthehearingofCarrie.Theywerenowneartheendwherethecorridoropenedintothelargegeneralparlor.

“Youwon’tgiveitup.”saidtheman.

ThewordsirritatedHurstwoodgreatly.Hotbloodpouredintohisbrain.Manythoughtsformulatedthemselves.Hewasnothief.Hedidn’twantthemoney.IfhecouldonlyexplaintoFitzgeraldandMoy,maybeitwouldbeallrightagain.

“Seehere,”hesaid,“there’snousemytalkingaboutthisatall.Irespectyourpowerallright,butI’llhavetodealwiththepeoplewhoknow.”

“Well,youcan’tgetoutofCanadawithit,”saidtheman.

“Idon’twanttogetout,”saidHurstwood.“WhenIgetreadythere’llbenothingtostopmefor.”

Heturnedback,andthedetectivewatchedhim

closely.Itseemedanintolerablething.Stillhewentonandintotheroom.

“Whowasit.”askedCarrie.

“AfriendofminefromChicago.”

Thewholeofthisconversationwassuchashockthat,comingasitdidafteralltheotherworryofthepastweek,itsufficedtoinduceadeepgloomandmoralrevulsioninHurstwood.Whathurthimmostwasthefactthathewasbeingpursuedasathief.Hebegantoseethenatureofthatsocialinjusticewhichseesbutoneside—oftenbutasinglepointinalongtragedy.Allthenewspapersnotedbutonething,histakingthemoney.Howandwhereforewerebutindifferentlydealtwith.Allthecomplicationswhichleduptoitwereunknown.Hewasaccusedwithoutbeingunderstood.

SittinginhisroomwithCarriethesameday,hedecidedtosendthemoneyback.HewouldwriteFitzgeraldandMoy,explainall,andthensenditbyexpress.Maybetheywouldforgivehim.Perhapstheywouldaskhimback.Hewouldmakegoodthefalsestatementhehadmadeaboutwritingthem.Thenhewouldleavethispeculiartown.

Foranhourhethoughtoverthisplausiblestatementofthetangle.Hewantedtotellthemabouthiswife,butcouldn’t.Hefinallynarroweditdowntoanassertionthathewaslight-headedfromentertainingfriends,hadfoundthesafeopen,andhavinggonesofarastotakethemoneyout,hadaccidentallyclosedit.Thisactheregrettedverymuch.Hewassorryhehadputthemtosomuchtrouble.Hewouldundowhathecouldbysendingthemoneyback—themajorportionofit.Theremainderhewouldpayupassoonashecould.Wasthereanypossibilityofhisbeingrestored.Thisheonlyhintedat.

Thetroubledstateoftheman’smindmaybejudgedbytheveryconstructionofthisletter.Forthenonceheforgotwhatapainfulthingitwouldbetoresume

hisoldplace,evenifitweregivenhim.Heforgotthathehadseveredhimselffromthepastasbyasword,andthatifhedidmanagetoinsomewayreunitehimselfwithit,thejaggedlineofseparationandreunionwouldalwaysshow.Hewasalwaysforgettingsomething-hiswife,Carrie,hisneedofmoney,presentsituation,orsomething—andsodidnotreasonclearly.Nevertheless,hesenttheletter,waitingareplybeforesendingthemoney.

Meanwhile,heacceptedhispresentsituationwithCarrie,gettingwhatjoyoutofithecould.

Outcamethesunbynoon,andpouredagoldenfloodthroughtheiropenwindows.Sparrowsweretwittering.Therewerelaughterandsongintheair.HurstwoodcouldnotkeephiseyesfromCarrie.Sheseemedtheonerayofsunshineinallhistrouble.Oh,ifshewouldonlylovehimwholly—onlythrowherarmsaroundhimintheblissfulspiritinwhichhehadseenherinthelittleparkinChi-cago—howhappyhewouldbe!Itwouldrepayhim;itwouldshowhimthathehadnotlostall.Hewouldnotcare.

“Carrie,”hesaid,gettinguponceandcomingovertoher,“areyougoingtostaywithmefromnowon.”

Shelookedathimquizzically,butmeltedwithsympathyasthevalueofthelookuponhisfaceforceditselfuponher.Itwaslovenow,keenandstrong—loveenhancedbydifficultyandworry.Shecouldnothelpsmiling.

“Letmebeeverythingtoyoufromnowon,”hesaid.“Don’tmakemeworryanymore.I’llbetruetoyou.We’llgotoNewYorkandgetaniceflat.I’llgointobusinessagain,andwe’llbehappy.Won’tyoubemine.”

Carrielistenedquitesolemnly.Therewasnogreatpassioninher,butthedriftofthingsandthisman’sproximitycreatedasemblanceofaffection.Shefeltrathersorryforhim—asorrowbornofwhathadonlyrecentlybeenagreatadmiration.Trueloveshehad

neverfeltforhim.Shewouldhaveknownasmuchifshecouldhaveanalyzedherfeelings,butthisthingwhichshenowfeltarousedbyhisgreatfeelingbrokedownthebarriersbetweenthem.

“You’llstaywithme,won’tyou.”heasked.

“Yes,”shesaid,noddingherhead.

Hegatheredhertohimself,imprintingkissesuponherlipsandcheeks.

“Youmustmarryme,though,”shesaid.“I’llgetalicenseto-day,”heanswered.

“How.”sheasked.

“Underanewname,”heanswered.“I’lltakeanewnameandliveanewlife.FromnowonI’mMurdock.”

“Oh,don’ttakethatname,”saidCarrie.

“Whynot.”hesaid.

“Idon’tlikeit.”

“Well,whatshallItake.”heasked.

“Oh,anything,onlydon’ttakethat.”

Hethoughtawhile,stillkeepinghisarmsabouther,andthensaid:

“HowwouldWheelerdo.”

“That’sallright,”saidCarrie.

“Well,then,Wheeler,”hesaid.“I’llgetthelicensethisafternoon.”

TheyweremarriedbyaBaptistminister,thefirstdivinetheyfoundconvenient.

AtlasttheChicagofirmanswered.ItwasbyMr.Moy’sdictation.HewasastonishedthatHurstwoodhaddonethis;verysorrythatithadcomeaboutasithad.Ifthemoneywerereturned,theywouldnottroubletoprosecutehim,astheyreallyborehimnoill-will.Asforhisreturning,ortheirrestoringhimtohisformerposition,theyhadnotquitedecidedwhattheeffectofitwouldbe.Theywouldthinkitoverandcorrespondwithhimlater,possibly,afteralittletime,andsoon.

Thesumandsubstanceofitwasthattherewasnohope,andtheywantedthemoneywiththeleasttroublepossible.Hurstwoodreadhisdoom.Hedecidedtopay$9,500totheagentwhomtheysaidtheywouldsend,keeping$1,300forhisownuse.Hetelegraphedhisacquiescence,explainedtotherepresentativewhocalledatthehotelthesameday,tookacertificateofpayment,andtoldCarrietopackhertrunk.Hewasslightlydepressedoverthisnewestmoveatthetimehebegantomakeit,buteventuallyrestoredhimself.Hefearedthatevenyethemightbeseizedandtakenback,sohetriedtoconcealhismovements,butitwasscarcelypossible.HeorderedCarrie’strunksenttothedepot,wherehehaditsentbyexpresstoNewYork.Nooneseemedtobeobservinghim,butheleftatnight.HewasgreatlyagitatedlestatthefirststationacrosstheborderoratthedepotinNewYorkthereshouldbewaitingforhimanofficerofthelaw.

Carrie,ignorantofhistheftandhisfears,enjoyedtheentryintothelattercityinthemorning.Theroundgreenhillssentinelingthebroad,expansivebosomoftheHudsonheldherattentionbytheirbeautyasthetrainfollowedthelineofthestream.ShehadheardoftheHudsonRiver,thegreatcityofNewYork,andnowshelookedout,fillinghermindwiththewonderofit.

AsthetrainturnedeastatSpuytenDuyvilandfollowedtheeastbankoftheHarlemRiver,Hurstwoodnervouslycalledherattentiontothefactthattheywereontheedgeofthecity.AfterherexperiencewithChicago,sheexpectedlonglinesofcars—agreathighwayoftracks—andnotedthedifference.ThesightofafewboatsintheHarlemandmoreintheEastRivertickledheryoungheart.Itwasthefirstsignofthegreatsea.Nextcameaplainstreetwithfive-storybrickflats,andthenthetrainplungedintothetunnel.

“GrandCentralStation!”calledthetrainman,as,afterafewminutesofdarknessandsmoke,daylightreappeared.Hurstwoodaroseandgathered

uphissmallgrip.Hewasscreweduptothehighesttension.WithCarriehewaitedatthedoorandthendismounted.Nooneapproachedhim,butheglancedfurtivelytoandfroashemadeforthestreetentrance.SoexcitedwashethatheforgotallaboutCarrie,whofellbehind,wonderingathisself-absorption.Ashepassedthroughthedepotproperthestrainreacheditsclimaxandbegantowane.Allatoncehewasonthesidewalk,andnonebutcabmenhailedhim.Heheavedagreatbreathandturned,rememberingCarrie.

“Ithoughtyouweregoingtorunoffandleaveme,”shesaid.

“IwastryingtorememberwhichcartakesustotheGilsey,”heanswered.

Carriehardlyheardhim,sointerestedwassheinthebusyscene.

“HowlargeisNewYork.”sheasked.

“Ohamillionormore,”saidHurstwood.

Helookedaroundandhailedacab,buthedidsoinachangedway.

Forthefirsttimeinyearsthethoughtthathemustcounttheselittleexpensesflashedthroughhismind.Itwasadisagreeablething.

Hedecidedhewouldlosenotimelivinginhotelsbutwouldrentaflat.AccordinglyhetoldCarrie,andsheagreed.

“We’lllookto-day,ifyouwantto,”shesaid.

SuddenlyhethoughtofhisexperienceinMontreal.AtthemoreimportanthotelshewouldbecertaintomeetChicagoanswhomheknew.Hestoodupandspoketothedriver.

“TakemetotheBelford,”hesaid,knowingittobelessfrequentedbythosewhomheknew.Thenhesatdown.

“Whereistheresidencepart.”askedCarrie,whodidnottakethetallfive-storywallsoneitherhandtobetheabodesoffamilies.

“Everywhere,”saidHurstwood,whoknewthecity

fairlywell.“TherearenolawnsinNewYork.Allthesearehouses.”

“Well,then,Idon’tlikeit,”saidCarrie,whowascomingtohaveafewopinionsofherown.