SISTER CARRIE. Theodore Dreiser

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      Chapter III

      Wee Question of Fortune — Four-Fifty a Week

       Table of Contents

      Once across the river and into the wholesale district, she glanced about her for some likely door at which to apply. As she contemplated the wide windows and imposing signs, she became conscious of being gazed upon and understood for what she was — a wage-seeker. She had never done this thing before, and lacked courage. To avoid a certain indefinable shame she felt at being caught spying about for a position, she quickened her steps and assumed an air of indifference supposedly common to one upon an errand. In this way she passed many manufacturing and wholesale houses without once glancing in. At last, after several blocks of walking, she felt that this would not do, and began to look about again, though without relaxing her pace. A little way on she saw a great door which, for some reason, attracted her attention. It was ornamented by a small brass sign, and seemed to be the entrance to a vast hive of six or seven floors. “Perhaps,” she thought, “they may want some one,” and crossed over to enter. When she came within a score of feet of the desired goal, she saw through the window a young man in a grey checked suit. That he had anything to do with the concern, she could not tell, but because he happened to be looking in her direction her weakening heart misgave her and she hurried by, too overcome with shame to enter. Over the way stood a great six-story structure, labelled Storm and King, which she viewed with rising hope. It was a wholesale dry goods concern and employed women. She could see them moving about now and then upon the upper floors. This place she decided to enter, no matter what. She crossed over and walked directly toward the entrance. As she did so, two men came out and paused in the door. A telegraph messenger in blue dashed past her and up the few steps that led to the entrance and disappeared. Several pedestrians out of the hurrying throng which filled the sidewalks passed about her as she paused, hesitating. She looked helplessly around, and then, seeing herself observed, retreated. It was too difficult a task. She could not go past them.

      So severe a defeat told sadly upon her nerves. Her feet carried her mechanically forward, every foot of her progress being a satisfactory portion of a flight which she gladly made. Block after block passed by. Upon streetlamps at the various corners she read names such as Madison, Monroe, La Salle, Clark, Dearborn, State, and still she went, her feet beginning to tire upon the broad stone flagging. She was pleased in part that the streets were bright and clean. The morning sun, shining down with steadily increasing warmth, made the shady side of the streets pleasantly cool. She looked at the blue sky overhead with more realisation of its charm than had ever come to her before.

      Her cowardice began to trouble her in a way. She turned back, resolving to hunt up Storm and King and enter. On the way, she encountered a great wholesale shoe company, through the broad plate windows of which she saw an enclosed executive department, hidden by frosted glass. Without this enclosure, but just within the street entrance, sat a grey-haired gentleman at a small table, with a large open ledger before him. She walked by this institution several times hesitating, but, finding herself unobserved, faltered past the screen door and stood humble waiting.

      “Well, young lady,” observed the old gentleman, looking at her somewhat kindly, “what is it you wish?”

      “I am, that is, do you — I mean, do you need any help?” she stammered.

      “Not just at present,” he answered smiling. “Not just at present. Come in some time next week. Occasionally we need some one.”

      She received the answer in silence and backed awkwardly out. The pleasant nature of her reception rather astonished her. She had expected that it would be more difficult, that something cold and harsh would be said — she knew not what. That she had not been put to shame and made to feel her unfortunate position, seemed remarkable.

      Somewhat encouraged, she ventured into another large structure. It was a clothing company, and more people were in evidence — well-dressed men of forty and more, surrounded by brass railings.

      An office boy approached her.

      “Who is it you wish to see?” he asked.

      “I want to see the manager,” she said. He ran away and spoke to one of a group of three men who were conferring together. One of these came towards her.

      “Well?” he said coldly. The greeting drove all courage from her at once.

      “Do you need any help?” she stammered.

      “No,” he replied abruptly, and turned upon his heel.

      She went foolishly out, the office boy deferentially swinging the door for her, and gladly sank into the obscuring crowd. It was a severe setback to her recently pleased mental state.

      Now she walked quite aimlessly for a time, turning here and there, seeing one great company after another, but finding no courage to prosecute her single inquiry. High noon came, and with it hunger. She hunted out an unassuming restaurant and entered, but was disturbed to find that the prices were exorbitant for the size of her purse. A bowl of soup was all that she could afford, and, with this quickly eaten, she went out again. It restored her strength somewhat and made her moderately bold to pursue the search.

      In walking a few blocks to fix upon some probable place, she again encountered the firm of Storm and King, and this time managed to get in. Some gentlemen were conferring close at hand, but took no notice of her. She was left standing, gazing nervously upon the floor. When the limit of her distress had been nearly reached, she was beckoned to by a man at one of the many desks within the near-by railing.

      “Who is it you wish to see?” he required.

      “Why, any one, if you please,” she answered. “I am looking for something to do.”

      “Oh, you want to see Mr. McManus,” he returned. “Sit down,” and he pointed to a chair against the neighbouring wall. He went on leisurely writing, until after a time a short, stout gentleman came in from the street.

      “Mr. McManus,” called the man at the desk, “this young woman wants to see you.”

      The short gentleman turned about towards Carrie, and she arose and came forward.

      “What can I do for you, miss?” he inquired, surveying her curiously.

      “I want to know if I can get a position,” she inquired.

      “As what?” he asked.

      “Not as anything in particular,” she faltered.

      “Have you ever had any experience in the wholesale dry goods business?” he questioned.

      “No, sir,” she replied.

      “Are you a stenographer or typewriter?”

      “No, sir.” “Well, we haven’t anything here,” he said. “We employ only experienced help.”

      She began to step backward toward the door, when something about her plaintive face attracted him.

      “Have you ever worked at anything before?” he inquired.