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第5章 丧失信心，席位预定

　　Hurstwood was looking into the paper. He could not see the lookof infinite weariness and discontent Carrie gave him.

　　"I see," said the man.

　　She came in and sat down at her place, feeling exceedinglywretched.

　　Carrie had gone sobbing from the door to the window. She was soovercome she could not speak.

　　She cleaned up the things one morning after he had gone, dressedas neatly as her wardrobe permitted, and set out for Broadway.She did not know that thoroughfare very well. To her it was awonderful conglomeration of everything great and mighty. Thetheatres were there--these agencies must be somewhere about.

　　Carrie went straight forward until she crossed the river, andthen turned into Fifth Avenue. The thoroughfare, in this part,was like a walled canon of brown stone and dark red brick. Thebig windows looked shiny and clean. Trucks were rumbling inincreasing numbers; men and women, girls and boys were movingonward in all directions. She met girls of her own age, wholooked at her as if with contempt for her diffidence. Shewondered at the magnitude of this life and at the importance ofknowing much in order to do anything in it at all. Dread at herown inefficiency crept upon her. She would not know how, shewould not be quick enough. Had not all the other places refusedher because she did not know something or other? She would bescolded, abused, ignominiously discharged.

　　"Well, you're a fine one," said Mrs. Vance, laughing, the whilenoting that Carrie's appearance had modified somewhat. "Theaddress, too," she added to herself. "They must be hard up."

　　"Not until afterwards," said the ex-manager. "I'll see youlater. Are you stopping here?"

　　"Do you know what 'column left' means?"