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第7章 突破？

　　"Well, you know, I saw your picture in the Sunday paper, but yourname threw me off. I thought it must be you or somebody thatlooked just like you, and I said: 'Well, now, I will go rightdown there and see.' I was never more surprised in my life. Howare you, anyway?"

　　"Oh, you are?" he said.

　　"Other men!" exclaimed Carrie. "Other men--you know better thanthat. I did go with Mr. Hurstwood, but whose fault was it?Didn't you bring him here? You told him yourself that he shouldcome out here and take me out. Now, after it's all over, youcome and tell me that I oughtn't to go with him and that he's amarried man."

　　At last evening came, and with it hunger and a debate withhimself as to how he should spend the night. It was half-pastfive. He must soon eat. If he tried to go home, it would takehim two hours and a half of cold walking and riding. Besides hehad orders to report at seven the next morning, and going homewould necessitate his rising at an unholy and disagreeable hour.He had only something like a dollar and fifteen cents of Carrie'smoney, with which he had intended to pay the two weeks' coal billbefore the present idea struck him.

　　"Didn't find anything, eh?" said Hanson.

　　"I don't want you to talk to me," she answered forcibly.

　　He looked her over again as he stirred among some papers. He wassecretly pleased with this pretty, disturbed-looking young woman."Come around to the theatre to-morrow morning."

　　"Oh, well, you've had time to see a great deal of it, anyhow."

　　He made his way into the heart of the small group, eyed bypolicemen and the men already there. One of the officersaddressed him.