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第6章 天妖谷

　　"Oh, you mustn't let him know I told you."

　　Through all this thoughts of Carrie flashed upon him, and theapproaching affair of Saturday. Tangled as all his matters were,he did not worry over that. It was the one pleasing thing inthis whole rout of trouble. He could arrange thatsatisfactorily, for Carrie would be glad to wait, if necessary.He would see how things turned out to-morrow, and then he wouldtalk to her. They were going to meet as usual. He saw only herpretty face and neat figure and wondered why life was notarranged so that such joy as he found with her could be steadilymaintained. How much more pleasant it would be. Then he wouldtake up his wife's threat again, and the wrinkles and moisturewould return.

　　"Great," said Drouet. He was as much affected by this show offinery and gayety as she. He pressed her arm warmly. Once shelooked up, her even teeth glistening through her smiling lips,her eyes alight. As they were moving out he whispered down toher, "You look lovely!" They were right where the coach-callerwas swinging open a coach-door and ushering in two ladies.

　　Hurstwood reasoned, when he neared the last ten dollars, that hehad better keep a little pocket change and not become whollydependent for car-fare, shaves, and the like; so when this sumwas still in his hand he announced himself as penniless.

　　A youth with tan-coloured hair, that needed clipping very badly,came shuffling along between the machines, bearing a basket ofleather findings under his left arm, and pressed against hisstomach. When near Carrie, he stretched out his right hand andgripped one girl under the arm.

　　"See that fellow coming in there?" said Hurstwood, glancing at agentleman just entering, arrayed in a high hat and Prince Albertcoat, his fat cheeks puffed and red as with good eating.

　　"I don't know," she answered, wondering herself.

　　"Let me fix my coat for you, anyway," and he arose and arrangedhis light coat in a comfortable position to receive her head.

　　"He seems to be," said Carrie.