Sister Carrie Theodore Dreiser (e reader books TXT) đ
- Author: Theodore Dreiser
Book online «Sister Carrie Theodore Dreiser (e reader books TXT) đ». Author Theodore Dreiser
âWell, let her have it,â he said. âI wonât bother her.â
It was the grim resolution of a bent, bedraggled, but unbroken pride.
XLIV And This Is Not Elf Land: What Gold Will Not BuyWhen Carrie got back on the stage, she found that over night her dressing-room had been changed.
âYou are to use this room, Miss Madenda,â said one of the stage lackeys.
No longer any need of climbing several flights of steps to a small coop shared with another. Instead, a comparatively large and commodious chamber with conveniences not enjoyed by the small fry overhead. She breathed deeply and with delight. Her sensations were more physical than mental. In fact, she was scarcely thinking at all. Heart and body were having their say.
Gradually the deference and congratulation gave her a mental appreciation of her state. She was no longer ordered, but requested, and that politely. The other members of the cast looked at her enviously as she came out arrayed in her simple habit, which she wore all through the play. All those who had supposedly been her equals and superiors now smiled the smile of sociability, as much as to say: âHow friendly we have always been.â Only the star comedian whose part had been so deeply injured stalked by himself. Figuratively, he could not kiss the hand that smote him.
Doing her simple part, Carrie gradually realised the meaning of the applause which was for her, and it was sweet. She felt mildly guilty of somethingâ âperhaps unworthiness. When her associates addressed her in the wings she only smiled weakly. The pride and daring of place were not for her. It never once crossed her mind to be reserved or haughtyâ âto be other than she had been. After the performances she rode to her room with Lola, in a carriage provided.
Then came a week in which the first fruits of success were offered to her lipsâ âbowl after bowl. It did not matter that her splendid salary had not begun. The world seemed satisfied with the promise. She began to get letters and cards. A Mr. Withersâ âwhom she did not know from Adamâ âhaving learned by some hook or crook where she resided, bowed himself politely in.
âYou will excuse me for intruding,â he said; âbut have you been thinking of changing your apartments?â
âI hadnât thought of it,â returned Carrie.
âWell, I am connected with the Wellingtonâ âthe new hotel on Broadway. You have probably seen notices of it in the papers.â
Carrie recognised the name as standing for one of the newest and most imposing hostelries. She had heard it spoken of as having a splendid restaurant.
âJust so,â went on Mr. Withers, accepting her acknowledgment of familiarity. âWe have some very elegant rooms at present which we would like to have you look at, if you have not made up your mind where you intend to reside for the summer. Our apartments are perfect in every detailâ âhot and cold water, private baths, special hall service for every floor, elevators, and all that. You know what our restaurant is.â
Carrie looked at him quietly. She was wondering whether he took her to be a millionaire.
âWhat are your rates?â she inquired.
âWell, now, that is what I came to talk with you privately about. Our regular rates are anywhere from three to fifty dollars a day.â
âMercy!â interrupted Carrie. âI couldnât pay any such rate as that.â
âI know how you feel about it,â exclaimed Mr. Withers, halting. âBut just let me explain. I said those are our regular rates. Like every other hotel we make special ones, however. Possibly you have not thought about it, but your name is worth something to us.â
âOh!â ejaculated Carrie, seeing at a glance.
âOf course. Every hotel depends upon the repute of its patrons. A well-known actress like yourself,â and he bowed politely, while Carrie flushed, âdraws attention to the hotel, andâ âalthough you may not believe itâ âpatrons.â
âOh, yes,â returned Carrie, vacantly, trying to arrange this curious proposition in her mind.
âNow,â continued Mr. Withers, swaying his derby hat softly and beating one of his polished shoes upon the floor, âI want to arrange, if possible, to have you come and stop at the Wellington. You need not trouble about terms. In fact, we need hardly discuss them. Anything will do for the summerâ âa mere figureâ âanything that you think you could afford to pay.â
Carrie was about to interrupt, but he gave her no chance.
âYou can come today or tomorrowâ âthe earlier the betterâ âand we will give you your choice of nice, light, outside roomsâ âthe very best we have.â
âYouâre very kind,â said Carrie, touched by the agentâs extreme affability. âI should like to come very much. I would want to pay what is right, however. I shouldnât want toâ ââ
âYou need not trouble about that at all,â interrupted Mr. Withers. âWe can arrange that to your entire satisfaction at any time. If three dollars a day is satisfactory to you, it will be so to us. All you have to do is to pay that sum to the clerk at the end of the week or month, just as you wish, and he will give you a receipt for what the rooms would cost if charged for at our regular rates.â
The speaker paused.
âSuppose you come and look at the rooms,â he added.
âIâd be glad to,â said Carrie, âbut I have a rehearsal this morning.â
âI did not mean at once,â he returned. âAny time will do. Would this afternoon be inconvenient?â
âNot at all,â said Carrie.
Suddenly she remembered Lola, who was out at the time.
âI have a roommate,â she added, âwho will have to go wherever I do. I forgot about that.â
âOh, very well,â said Mr. Withers, blandly. âIt is for you to say whom you want with you. As I say, all that can be arranged to suit yourself.â
He bowed and backed toward the door.
âAt four, then,
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