嘉莉妹妹中英文對照版

SisterCarrieChapter1THEMAGNETATTRACTING--AWAIFAMIDFORCESWhenCarolineMeeberboardedtheafternoontrainforChicago,hertotaloutfitconsistedofasmalltrunk,acheapimitationalligator-skinsatchel,asmalllunchinapaperbox,andayellowleathersnappurse,containingherticket,ascrapofpaperwithhersister'saddressinVanBurenStreet,andfourdollarsinmoney.ItwasinAugust,1889.Shewaseighteenyearsofage,bright,timid,andfulloftheillusionsofignoranceandyouth.Whatevertouchofregretatpartingcharacterisedherthoughts,itwascertainlynotforadvantagesnowbeinggivenup.Agushoftearsathermother'sfarewellkiss,atouchinherthroatwhenthecarsclackedbytheflourmillwhereherfatherworkedbytheday,apatheticsighasthefamiliargreenenvironsofthevillagepassedinreview,andthethreadswhichboundhersolightlytogirlhoodandhomewereirretrievablybroken.Tobesuretherewasalwaysthenextstation,whereonemightdescendandreturn.Therewasthegreatcity,boundmorecloselybytheseverytrainswhichcameupdaily.ColumbiaCitywasnotsoveryfaraway,evenonceshewasinChicago.What,pray,isafewhours--afewhundredmiles?Shelookedatthelittleslipbearinghersister'saddressandwondered.Shegazedatthegreenlandscape,nowpassinginswiftreview,untilherswifterthoughtsreplaceditsimpressionwithvagueconjecturesofwhatChicagomightbe.Whenagirlleavesherhomeateighteen,shedoesoneoftwothings.Eithershefallsintosavinghandsandbecomesbetter,orsherapidlyassumesthecosmopolitanstandardofvirtueandbecomesworse.Ofanintermediatebalance,underthecircumstances,thereisnopossibility.Thecityhasitscunningwiles,nolessthantheinfinitelysmallerandmorehumantempter.Therearelargeforceswhichallurewithallthesoulfulnessofexpressionpossibleinthemostculturedhuman.Thegleamofathousandlightsisoftenaseffectiveasthepersuasivelightinawooingandfascinatingeye.Halftheundoingoftheunsophisticatedandnaturalmindisaccomplishedbyforceswhollysuperhuman.Ablareofsound,aroaroflife,avastarrayofhumanhives,appealtotheastonishedsensesinequivocalterms.Withoutacounsellorathandtowhispercautiousinterpretations,whatfalsehoodsmaynotthesethingsbreatheintotheunguardedear!Unrecognisedforwhattheyare,theirbeauty,likemusic,toooftenrelaxes,thenweakens,thenpervertsthesimplerhumanperceptions.Caroline,orSisterCarrie,asshehadbeenhalfaffectionatelytermedbythefamily,waspossessedofamindrudimentaryinitspowerofobservationandanalysis.Self-interestwithherwashigh,butnotstrong.Itwas,nevertheless,herguidingcharacteristic.Warmwiththefanciesofyouth,prettywiththeinsipidprettinessoftheformativeperiod,possessedofafigurepromisingeventualshapelinessandaneyealightwithcertainnativeintelligence,shewasafairexampleofthemiddleAmericanclass--twogenerationsremovedfromtheemigrant.Bookswerebeyondherinterest--knowledgeasealedbook.Intheintuitivegracesshewasstillcrude.Shecouldscarcelytossherheadgracefully.Herhandswerealmostineffectual.Thefeet,thoughsmall,weresetflatly.Andyetshewasinterestedinhercharms,quicktounderstandthekeenerpleasuresoflife,ambitioustogaininmaterialthings.Ahalf-equippedlittleknightshewas,venturingtoreconnoitrethemysteriouscityanddreamingwilddreamsofsomevague,far-offsupremacy,whichshouldmakeitpreyandsubject--theproperpenitent,grovelingatawoman'sslipper."That,"saidavoiceinherear,"isoneoftheprettiestlittleresortsinWisconsin.""Isit?"sheanswerednervously.ThetrainwasjustpullingoutofWaukesha.Forsometimeshehadbeenconsciousofamanbehind.Shefelthimobservinghermassofhair.Hehadbeenfidgetting,andwithnaturalintuitionshefeltacertaininterestgrowinginthatquarter.Hermaidenlyreserve,andacertainsenseofwhatwasconventionalunderthecircumstances,calledhertoforestallanddenythisfamiliarity,butthedaringandmagnetismoftheindividual,bornofpastexperiencesandtriumphs,prevailed.Sheanswered.Heleanedforwardtoputhiselbowsuponthebackofherseatandproceededtomakehimselfvolublyagreeable."Yes,thatisagreatresortforChicagopeople.Thehotelsareswell.Youarenotfamiliarwiththispartofthecountry,areyou?""Oh,yes,Iam,"answeredCarrie."Thatis,IliveatColumbiaCity.Ihaveneverbeenthroughhere,though.""AndsothisisyourfirstvisittoChicago,"heobserved.Allthetimeshewasconsciousofcertainfeaturesoutofthesideofhereye.Flush,colourfulcheeks,alightmoustache,agreyfedorahat.Shenowturnedandlookeduponhiminfull,theinstinctsofself-protectionandcoquetryminglingconfusedlyinherbrain."Ididn'tsaythat,"shesaid."Oh,"heanswered,inaverypleasingwayandwithanassumedairofmistake,"Ithoughtyoudid."Herewasatypeofthetravellingcanvasserforamanufacturinghouse--aclasswhichatthattimewasfirstbeingdubbedbytheslangoftheday"drummers."Hecamewithinthemeaningofastillnewerterm,whichhadsprungintogeneraluseamongAmericansin1880,andwhichconciselyexpressedthethoughtofonewhosedressormannersarecalculatedtoelicittheadmirationofsusceptibleyoungwomen--a"masher."Hissuitwasofastripedandcrossedpatternofbrownwool,newatthattime,butsincebecomefamiliarasabusinesssuit.Thelowcrotchofthevestrevealedastiffshirtbosomofwhiteandpinkstripes.Fromhiscoatsleevesprotrudedapairoflinencuffsofthesamepattern,fastenedwithlarge,goldplatebuttons,setwiththecommonyellowagatesknownas"cat's-eyes."Hisfingersboreseveralrings--one,theever-enduringheavyseal--andfromhisvestdangledaneatgoldwatchchain,fromwhichwassuspendedthesecretinsigniaoftheOrderofElks.Thewholesuitwasrathertight-fitting,andwasfinishedoffwithheavy-soledtanshoes,highlypolished,andthegreyfedorahat.Hewas,fortheorderofintellectrepresented,attractive,andwhateverhehadtorecommendhim,youmaybesurewasnotlostuponCarrie,inthis,herfirstglance.Lestthisorderofindividualshouldpermanentlypass,letmeputdownsomeofthemoststrikingcharacteristicsofhismostsuccessfulmannerandmethod.Goodclothes,ofcourse,werethefirstessential,thethingswithoutwhichhewasnothing.Astrongphysicalnature,actuatedbyakeendesireforthefeminine,wasthenext.Amindfreeofanyconsiderationoftheproblemsorforcesoftheworldandactuatednotbygreed,butaninsatiableloveofvariablepleasure.Hismethodwasalwayssimple.Itsprincipalelementwasdaring,backed,ofcourse,byanintensedesireandadmirationforthesex.Lethimmeetwithayoungwomanonceandhewouldapproachherwithanairofkindlyfamiliarity,notunmixedwithpleading,whichwouldresultinmostcasesinatolerantacceptance.Ifsheshowedanytendencytocoquetryhewouldbeapttostraightenhertie,orifshe"tookup"withhimatall,tocallherbyherfirstname.Ifhevisitedadepartmentstoreitwastoloungefamiliarlyoverthecounterandasksomeleadingquestions.Inmoreexclusivecircles,onthetrainorinwaitingstations,hewentslower.Ifsomeseeminglyvulnerableobjectappearedhewasallattention--topassthecomplimentsoftheday,toleadthewaytotheparlorcar,carryinghergrip,or,failingthat,totakeaseatnextherwiththehopeofbeingabletocourthertoherdestination.Pillows,books,afootstool,theshadelowered;allthesefiguredinthethingswhichhecoulddo.If,whenshereachedherdestinationhedidnotalightandattendherbaggageforher,itwasbecause,inhisownestimation,hehadsignallyfailed.Awomanshouldsomedaywritethecompletephilosophyofclothes.Nomatterhowyoung,itisoneofthethingsshewhollycomprehends.Thereisanindescribablyfaintlineinthematterofman'sapparelwhichsomehowdividesforherthosewhoareworthglancingatandthosewhoarenot.Onceanindividualhaspassedthisfaintlineonthewaydownwardhewillgetnoglancefromher.Thereisanotherlineatwhichthedressofamanwillcausehertostudyherown.ThislinetheindividualatherelbownowmarkedforCarrie.Shebecameconsciousofaninequality.Herownplainbluedress,withitsblackcottontapetrimmings,nowseemedtohershabby.Shefeltthewornstateofhershoes."Let'ssee,"hewenton,"Iknowquiteanumberofpeopleinyourtown.MorgenroththeclothierandGibsonthedrygoodsman.""Oh,doyou?"sheinterrupted,arousedbymemoriesoflongingstheirshowwindowshadcosther.Atlasthehadaclewtoherinterest,andfolloweditdeftly.Inafewminuteshehadcomeaboutintoherseat.Hetalkedofsalesofclothing,histravels,Chicago,andtheamusementsofthatcity."Ifyouaregoingthere,youwillenjoyitimmensely.Haveyourelatives?""Iamgoingtovisitmysister,"sheexplained."YouwanttoseeLincolnPark,"hesaid,"andMichiganBoulevard.Theyareputtingupgreatbuildingsthere.It'sasecondNewYork--great.Somuchtosee--theatres,crowds,finehouses--oh,you'lllikethat."Therewasalittleacheinherfancyofallhedescribed.Herinsignificanceinthepresenceofsomuchmagnificencefaintlyaffectedher.Sherealisedthatherswasnottobearoundofpleasure,andyettherewassomethingpromisinginallthematerialprospecthesetforth.Therewassomethingsatisfactoryintheattentionofthisindividualwithhisgoodclothes.Shecouldnothelpsmilingashetoldherofsomepopularactressofwhomsheremindedhim.Shewasnotsilly,andyetattentionofthissorthaditsweight."YouwillbeinChicagosomelittletime,won'tyou?"heobservedatoneturnofthenoweasyconversation."Idon'tknow,"saidCarrievaguely--aflashvisionofthepossibilityofhernotsecuringemploymentrisinginhermind."Severalweeks,anyhow,"hesaid,lookingsteadilyintohereyes.Therewasmuchmorepassingnowthanthemerewordsindicated.Herecognisedtheindescribablethingthatmadeupforfascinationandbeautyinher.Sherealisedthatshewasofinteresttohimfromtheonestandpointwhichawomanbothdelightsinandfears.Hermannerwassimple,thoughfortheveryreasonthatshehadnotyetlearnedthemanylittleaffectationswithwhichwomenconcealtheirtruefeelings.Somethingsshedidappearedbold.Aclevercompanion--hadsheeverhadone--wouldhavewarnedhernevertolookamanintheeyessosteadily."Whydoyouask?"shesaid."Well,I'mgoingtobethereseveralweeks.I'mgoingtostudystockatourplaceandgetnewsamples.Imightshowyou'round.""Idon'tknowwhetheryoucanornot.ImeanIdon'tknowwhetherIcan.Ishallbelivingwithmysister,and""Well,ifsheminds,we'llfixthat."Hetookouthispencilandalittlepocketnote-bookasifitwereallsettled."Whatisyouraddressthere?"Shefumbledherpursewhichcontainedtheaddressslip.Hereacheddowninhishippocketandtookoutafatpurse.Itwasfilledwithslipsofpaper,somemileagebooks,arollofgreenbacks.Itimpressedherdeeply.Suchapursehadneverbeencarriedbyanyoneattentivetoher.Indeed,anexperiencedtraveller,abriskmanoftheworld,hadnevercomewithinsuchcloserangebefore.Thepurse,theshinytanshoes,thesmartnewsuit,andtheairwithwhichhedidthings,builtupforheradimworldoffortune,ofwhichhewasthecentre.Itdisposedherpleasantlytowardallhemightdo.Hetookoutaneatbusinesscard,onwhichwasengravedBartlett,Caryoe&Company,anddownintheleft-handcorner,Chas.H.Drouet."That'sme,"hesaid,puttingthecardinherhandandtouchinghisname."It'spronouncedDrew-eh.OurfamilywasFrench,onmyfather'sside."Shelookedatitwhileheputuphispurse.Thenhegotoutaletterfromabunchinhiscoatpocket."ThisisthehouseItravelfor,"hewenton,pointingtoapictureonit,"cornerofStateandLake."Therewasprideinhisvoice.Hefeltthatitwassomethingtobeconnectedwithsuchaplace,andhemadeherfeelthatway."Whatisyouraddress?"hebeganagain,fixinghispenciltowrite.Shelookedathishand."CarrieMeeber,"shesaidslowly."Threehundredandfifty-fourWestVanBurenStreet,careS.C.Hanson."Hewroteitcarefullydownandgotoutthepurseagain."You'llbeathomeifIcomearoundMondaynight?"hesaid."Ithinkso,"sheanswered.Howtrueitisthatwordsarebutthevagueshadowsofthevolumeswemean.Littleaudiblelinks,theyare,chainingtogethergreatinaudiblefeelingsandpurposes.Herewerethesetwo,bandyinglittlephrases,drawingpurses,lookingatcards,andbothunconsciousofhowinarticulatealltheirrealfeelingswere.Neitherwaswiseenoughtobesureoftheworkingofthemindoftheother.Hecouldnottellhowhisluringsucceeded.Shecouldnotrealisethatshewasdrifting,untilhesecuredheraddress.Nowshefeltthatshehadyieldedsomething--he,thathehadgainedavictory.Alreadytheyfeltthattheyweresomehowassociated.Alreadyhetookcontrolindirectingtheconversation.Hiswordswereeasy.Hermannerwasrelaxed.TheywerenearingChicago.Signswereeverywherenumerous.Trainsflashedbythem.Acrosswidestretchesofflat,openprairietheycouldseelinesoftelegraphpolesstalkingacrossthefieldstowardthegreatcity.Farawaywereindicationsofsuburbantowns,somebigsmokestackstoweringhighintheair.Frequentlythereweretwo-storyframehousesstandingoutintheopenfields,withoutfenceortrees,loneoutpostsoftheapproachingarmyofhomes.Tothechild,thegeniuswithimagination,orthewhollyuntravelled,theapproachtoagreatcityforthefirsttimeisawonderfulthing.Particularlyifitbeevening--thatmysticperiodbetweentheglareandgloomoftheworldwhenlifeischangingfromonesphereorconditiontoanother.Ah,thepromiseofthenight.Whatdoesitnotholdfortheweary!Whatoldillusionofhopeisnothereforeverrepeated!Saysthesoulofthetoilertoitself,"Ishallsoonbefree.Ishallbeinthewaysandthehostsofthemerry.Thestreets,thelamps,thelightedchambersetfordining,areforme.Thetheatre,thehalls,theparties,thewaysofrestandthepathsofsong-thesearemineinthenight."Thoughallhumanitybestillenclosedintheshops,thethrillrunsabroad.Itisintheair.Thedullestfeelsomethingwhichtheymaynotalwaysexpressordescribe.Itistheliftingoftheburdenoftoil.SisterCarriegazedoutofthewindow.Hercompanion,affectedbyherwonder,socontagiousareallthings,feltanewsomeinterestinthecityandpointedoutitsmarvels."ThisisNorthwestChicago,"saidDrouet."ThisistheChicagoRiver,"andhepointedtoalittlemuddycreek,crowdedwiththehugemastedwanderersfromfar-offwatersnosingtheblack-postedbanks.Withapuff,aclang,andaclatterofrailsitwasgone."Chicagoisgettingtobeagreattown,"hewenton."It'sawonder.You'llfindlotstoseehere."Shedidnothearthisverywell.Herheartwastroubledbyakindofterror.Thefactthatshewasalone,awayfromhome,rushingintoagreatseaoflifeandendeavour,begantotell.Shecouldnothelpbutfeelalittlechokedforbreath--alittlesickasherheartbeatsofast.Shehalfclosedhereyesandtriedtothinkitwasnothing,thatColumbiaCitywasonlyalittlewayoff."Chicago!Chicago!"calledthebrakeman,slammingopenthedoor.Theywererushingintoamorecrowdedyard,alivewiththeclatterandclangoflife.Shebegantogatherupherpoorlittlegripandclosedherhandfirmlyuponherpurse.Drouetarose,kickedhislegstostraightenhistrousers,andseizedhiscleanyellowgrip."Isupposeyourpeoplewillbeheretomeetyou?"hesaid."Letmecarryyourgrip.""Oh,no,"shesaid."I'dratheryouwouldn't.I'dratheryouwouldn'tbewithmewhenImeetmysister.""Allright,"hesaidinallkindness."I'llbenear,though,incasesheisn'there,andtakeyououttheresafely.""You'resokind,"saidCarrie,feelingthegoodnessofsuchattentioninherstrangesituation."Chicago!"calledthebrakeman,drawingthewordoutlong.Theywereunderagreatshadowytrainshed,wherethelampswerealreadybeginningtoshineout,withpassengercarsallaboutandthetrainmovingatasnail'space.Thepeopleinthecarwereallupandcrowdingaboutthedoor."Well,hereweare,"saidDrouet,leadingthewaytothedoor."Good-bye,tillIseeyouMonday.""Good-bye,"sheanswered,takinghisprofferedhand."Remember,I'llbelookingtillyoufindyoursister."Shesmiledintohiseyes.Theyfiledout,andheaffectedtotakenonoticeofher.Alean-faced,rathercommonplacewomanrecognisedCarrieontheplatformandhurriedforward."Why,SisterCarrie!"shebegan,andtherewasembraceofwelcome.Carrierealisedthechangeofaffectionalatmosphereatonce.Amidallthemaze,uproar,andnoveltyshefeltcoldrealitytakingherbythehand.Noworldoflightandmerriment.Noroundofamusement.Hersistercarriedwithhermostofthegrimnessofshiftandtoil."Why,howareallthefolksathome?"shebegan;"howisfather,andmother?"Carrieanswered,butwaslookingaway.Downtheaisle,towardthegateleadingintothewaiting-roomandthestreet,stoodDrouet.Hewaslookingback.Whenhesawthatshesawhimandwassafewithhersisterheturnedtogo,sendingbacktheshadowofasmile.OnlyCarriesawit.Shefeltsomethinglosttoherwhenhemovedaway.Whenhedisappearedshefelthisabsencethoroughly.Withhersistershewasmuchalone,alonefigureinatossing,thoughtlesssea.第一章磁性相吸：各種力的擺布當(dāng)嘉洛林·米貝登上下午開往芝加哥的火車時，她的全部行裝包括一個小箱子，一個廉價的仿鱷魚皮挎包，一小紙盒午餐和一個黃皮彈簧錢包，里面裝著她的車票，一張寫有她姐姐在凡·布侖街地址的小紙條，還有四塊現(xiàn)錢。那是１８８９年８月。她才１８歲，聰明，膽怯，由于無知和年輕，充滿著種種幻想。盡管她在離家時依依不舍，家鄉(xiāng)可沒有什么好處讓她難以割舍。母親和她吻別時，她不禁熱淚盈眶；火車喀嚓喀嚓駛過她父親上白班的面粉廠，她喉頭又一陣哽咽；而當(dāng)她熟悉的綠色村莊在車窗外向后退去時，她發(fā)出了一聲嘆息。不過，那些把她和故鄉(xiāng)和少女時代聯(lián)系在一起縷縷細絲卻是永久地割斷了。當(dāng)然了，前面總有站頭，只要她想回家，隨時可以下車往回走。芝加哥就在前面，眼下她乘坐的火車每天往返，把芝加哥和她家鄉(xiāng)緊密地聯(lián)結(jié)在一起。她家鄉(xiāng)哥倫比亞城離得不算遠。她甚至還去過一趟芝加哥。真的，幾小時的火車，幾百里路，那又算得了什么呢？她看著上面有她姐姐地址的小紙片，心里問著自己。她把目光轉(zhuǎn)向窗外，看著綠色的田野飛快地向后退去。隨后她
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?。一個１８歲的女孩離家出走，結(jié)局不外兩種。也許她會遇到好人相助，變得更好；也許她會很快接受大都市的道德標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，而變壞了--二者必具其一。在這種情況下，要想不好不壞，保持中不溜的狀態(tài)，是根本做不到的。大城市具有自身種種誘人的花招，并不亞于那些教人學(xué)壞的男男女女，當(dāng)然人比社會微小得多，也更富于人情味。社會具有巨大的影響力，能像最老于世故的人才可能想到的甜言蜜語一樣亂人情懷。都市的萬點燈火比起情人脈脈含情的迷人眼神來，那魅力是不差分毫的呢?？梢哉f，有一半涉世未深的純潔心靈是被非人為的影響力帶壞的。城市里喧鬧的人聲和熱鬧的生活，加上鱗次櫛比的樓房建筑，在令人驚愕的同時，又令人怦然心動，教給人們模棱兩可的生活意義。這種時候，如果沒有人在她們身邊輕聲告誡和解說，又有什么謊言和謬誤不會灌入這些不加提防的耳朵里去呢？頭腦簡單的年輕人看不清生活中的那些虛假外表，而為它們的美所傾倒，就像音樂一樣，它們先令人陶醉松弛，繼而令人意志薄弱，最后誘人走上岐路。嘉洛林在家時，家里人帶著幾分疼她，已具有初步的觀察力和分析能力。她有利己心，不過不很強烈，這是她的主要特點。她充滿著年輕人的熱烈幻想。雖然漂亮，她還只是一個正在發(fā)育階段的美人胎子。不過從她的身段已經(jīng)可以看出將來發(fā)育成熟時的美妙體態(tài)了。她的眼睛里透著天生的聰明。她是一個典型的美國中產(chǎn)階級少女--她們家已是移民的第三代了。她對書本不感興趣，書本知識和她無緣。她還不太懂如何舉手投足，顯示本能的優(yōu)雅舉止。她揚起頭的姿態(tài)還不夠優(yōu)美。她的手也幾乎沒有用。她的腳雖然長得小巧，卻只會頻頻地放在地上。然而她對于自己的魅力已極感興趣，對生活的更強烈的樂趣感知很快，并渴望獲得種種物質(zhì)的享受。她還只是一個裝備不全的小騎士，正冒險出發(fā)去偵察神秘的大城市，夢想著某個遙遠的將來她將征服這新世界，讓那大城市俯首稱臣，誠惶誠恐，跪倒在她的腳下?！扒啤?，有人在她耳邊說，“那就是威斯康辛州最美的度假勝地之一?！薄笆菃?？“她惴惴不安地回答?；疖嚥砰_出華克夏。不過她已有好一會兒感到背后有個男人。她感覺得到那人在打量她的濃密的頭發(fā)。他一直在那里坐立不安，因此憑著女性的直覺，她感到背后那人對她越來越感興趣。少女的矜持和在此種情況下傳統(tǒng)的禮儀都告訴她不能答腔，不能允許男人這樣隨便接近她。不過那個男人是個情場老手，他的大膽和磁性般的魅力占了上風(fēng)，所以她竟然答了腔。他往前傾著身子，把他的胳膊搭在她的椅背上，開始討人喜歡地聊了起來。“真的，那是芝加哥人最喜歡的度假地。那里的旅館可棒了。這地方你不熟悉吧？”“哎，不對，這一帶我很熟的。”嘉莉回答?！澳阒?，我就住在哥倫比亞城。不過這里我倒從來沒有來過?！薄斑@么說，你是第一次到芝加哥去了?！彼聹y說。他們這么交談著時，她從眼角隱隱瞧見了一些那人的相貌：紅潤生動的臉，淡淡的一抹小胡子，一頂灰色的軟呢帽。現(xiàn)在她轉(zhuǎn)過身來，面對著他，腦子里自衛(wèi)的意識和女性調(diào)情的本能亂哄哄地混雜在一起?！拔覜]有這么說，”她回答?！班?，我以為你是這個意思呢，”他討人喜歡地裝著認錯說。這人是為生產(chǎn)廠家推銷產(chǎn)品的旅行推銷員，當(dāng)時剛剛流行把這類人稱作“皮包客。”不過他還可以用一個1880年開始在美國流行的新詞來形容：“小白臉?！斑@種人從穿著打扮到一舉一動都旨在博取年輕心軟的姑娘好感。這人穿著一套條紋格子的棕色毛料西裝，這種西裝當(dāng)時很新潮，不過現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)成了人們熟悉的商人服裝。西裝背心的低領(lǐng)里露出漿得筆挺的白底粉紅條紋襯衫的前胸。外套的袖口露出同一布料的襯衫袖口，上面的扣子是一粒大大的鍍金扣，嵌著稱為“貓兒眼”的普通黃色瑪瑙。他手指上戴著好幾個戒指，其中有一枚是沉甸甸的圖章戒指，這枚戒指是始終不離身的。從他的西裝背心上垂下一條精致的金表鏈，表鏈那一頭垂掛著兄弟會的秘密徽章。整套服裝裁剪合度，再配上一雙擦得發(fā)光的厚跟皮鞋和灰色軟呢帽，他的裝束就齊備了。就他所代表的那類人而言，他很有吸引力。嘉莉第一眼看他，已經(jīng)把他所有的優(yōu)點都看在眼里，這一點是可以肯定的。我要記下一些這類人成功的舉止和方法中最顯著的特點，以防他們永久消失了。當(dāng)然，服飾漂亮是第一要素，要是沒有了服飾這類東西，他就算不得什么人物了。第二要素是身強力壯，性欲旺盛。他天性無憂無慮，既不費心去考慮任何問題，也不去管世間的種種勢力或影響，支配他的生活動力不是對財富的貪婪，而是對聲色之樂的貪得無厭。他的方法一貫很簡單，主要是膽大，當(dāng)然是出于對異性的渴望和仰慕。年輕姑娘只要讓他見上一面，他就會用一種溫和熟識的態(tài)度去套熱乎，語其中帶有幾分懇求，結(jié)果那些姑娘往往寬容接納了他。如果那女子露出點賣弄風(fēng)情的品性，他就會上前去幫她理理領(lǐng)帶。如果她‘吃’他那一套獻殷勤的手段，他馬上開始用小名稱呼她了。他上百貨大樓時，總喜歡靠在柜臺上和女店員像老熟人一樣聊聊，問些套近乎的問題。如果是在人少的場合，譬如在火車上或者候車室，他追人的速度要放慢一些。如果他發(fā)現(xiàn)一個看來可以下手的對象，他就使出渾身的解數(shù)來--打招呼問好，帶路去客廳車廂，幫助拎手提箱。如果拎不成箱子，那就在她旁邊找個位子坐下來，滿心希望在到達目的地以前可以向她獻獻殷勤：拿枕頭啦，送書啦，擺腳凳啦，放遮簾啦。他能做的主要就是這一些。如果她到了目的地，他卻沒有下車幫她照看行李，那是因為照他估計他的追求顯然失敗了。女人有一天該寫出一本完整的衣服經(jīng)。不管多年輕，這種事她是完全懂的。男人服飾中有那么一種難以言傳的微妙界線，她憑這條界線可以區(qū)別哪些男人值得看一眼，哪些男人不值得一顧。一個男人一旦屬于這條界線之下，他別指望獲得女人的青睞。男人衣服中還有一條界線，會令女人轉(zhuǎn)而注意起自己的服裝來。現(xiàn)在嘉莉從身旁這個男人身上就看到了這條界線，于是不禁感到相形見絀。她感到自己身上穿的那套鑲黑邊的樸素藍衣裙太寒酸了，腳上的鞋子也太舊了?！澳阒?，”他在繼續(xù)往下說，“你們城里我認識不少人呢?！庇蟹b店老板摩根洛，還有綢緞莊老板吉勃生?！薄班?，真的？”想到那些曾令她留連忘返的櫥窗，她不禁感興趣地插了一句。這一下終于讓他發(fā)現(xiàn)了她的興趣所在，于是他熟練地繼續(xù)談這個話題。幾分鐘后，他已經(jīng)過來，坐在她的身邊。他談衣服的銷售，談他的旅行，談芝加哥和芝加哥的各種娛樂?！澳愕搅四抢?，會玩得很痛快的。你在那里有親戚嗎？”“我是去看我姐姐，“她解釋說?！澳阋欢ㄒ涔淞挚瞎珗@，”他說?！斑€要去密歇根大道看看。他們正在那里興建高樓大廈。這是又一個紐約，真了不起?！庇心敲炊嗫梢钥吹臇|西--戲院，人流，漂亮的房子--真的，你會喜歡這一切的。她想象著他所描繪的一切，心里不禁有些刺痛。都市是如此壯觀偉大，而她卻如此渺小，這不能不使她產(chǎn)生出感慨。她意識到自己的生活不會是由一連串的歡樂構(gòu)成的。不過從他描繪的物質(zhì)世界里，她還是看到了希望之光。有這么一個衣著體面的人向她獻殷勤，總是令人愜意的。他說她長得像某個女明星，她聽了不禁嫣然一笑。她并不蠢，但這一類的吹捧總有點作用的?！澳銜谥ゼ痈缱∫欢稳兆影??！痹谳p松隨便地聊了一陣以后，他轉(zhuǎn)了話題問道。“我不知道，”嘉莉沒有把握地回答，腦子里突然閃過了萬一找不到工作的念頭?！安还茉鯓?，總要住幾周吧?！彼@么說時，目光久久地凝視著她的眼睛?，F(xiàn)在他們已經(jīng)不是單純地用語言交流感情了。他在她身上看到了那些構(gòu)成美麗和魅力的難以描繪的氣質(zhì)。而她看出這男人對自己感興趣，這種興趣使一個女子又喜又怕。她很單純，還沒學(xué)會女人用以掩飾情感的那些小小的裝腔作勢。在有些事情上，她確實顯得大膽了點。她需要有一個聰明的同伴提醒她，女人是不可以這么久久地注視男人的眼睛的?！澳銥槭裁匆獑栠@問題？”她問道?！澳阒?，我將在芝加哥逗留幾星期。我要去我們商號看看貨色，弄些新樣品。也許我可以帶你到處看看?！薄拔也恢滥隳懿荒苓@么做。我的意思是說我不知道我自己能不能。我得住在我姐姐家，而且”“嗯，如果她不許的話，我們可以想些辦法對付的?！彼统鲆恢сU筆和一個小筆記本，好像一切都已說定了?！澳愕牡刂肥悄睦?？”她摸索著裝有地址的錢包。他伸手到后面的褲袋里掏出一個厚厚的皮夾，里面裝著些單據(jù)，旅行里程記錄本和一卷鈔票。這給她留下了深刻的印象：以前向她獻殷勤的男人中沒有一個掏得出這么一個皮夾。真的，她還從來沒有和一個跑過大碼頭，見過大世面，見多識廣性格活躍的人打過交道。他的皮夾子，發(fā)光的皮鞋，漂亮的新西裝，和他行事那種氣派，這一切為她隱隱約約地描繪出一個以他為中心的花花世界。她不由得對他想做的一切抱著好感。他拿出一張精美的名片，上面印著“巴萊·卡留公司”，左下角印著“查利·赫·杜洛埃?！彼衙旁谒稚?，然后指著上面的名字說：“這是我的名字。這字要念成杜--埃。我們家從我父親那面說是法國人?！彼哑A收起來時，她的目光還盯著手上的名片。然后他從外套口袋掏出一札信，從中抽出一封來?！斑@是那家我為他們推銷貨物的商號，”他一邊說一邊指著信封上的圖片?！霸谒古_特街和湖濱大道的轉(zhuǎn)彎處?！彼穆曇衾锪髀冻鲎院?。他感到跟這樣一個地方有聯(lián)系是很了不起的，他讓她也有了這種感覺?！澳愕牡刂纺?？”他又問道，手里拿著筆準(zhǔn)備記下來。她瞧著他的手?！凹卫颉っ棕悾彼蛔忠蛔值卣f道，“西凡布侖街三百五十四號，Ｓ·Ｃ·漢生轉(zhuǎn)?！彼屑氂浵聛?，然后又掏出了皮夾。“如果我星期一晚上來看你，你會在家嗎？”他問道?！拔蚁霑??！彼卮?。話語只是我們內(nèi)心情感的一個影子，這話真是不假。它們只是一些可以為人聽見的小小鏈子，把大量聽不見的情感和意圖串聯(lián)起來。眼前這兩個人就是如此。他們只是短短地交談了幾句，掏了一下皮夾，看了一下名片。雙方都沒意識到他們的真實感情是多么難以表達，雙方都不夠聰明，瞧不透對方的心思。他吃不準(zhǔn)他的調(diào)情成功了沒有。而她一直沒意識到自己在讓人牽著鼻子走。一直到他從她口里掏出了她的地址，才明白過來自己已經(jīng)輸了一著，而他卻贏了一局。他們已經(jīng)感覺到他們之間有了某種聯(lián)系。他現(xiàn)在在談話中占了主導(dǎo)地位，因此輕松地隨便聊著，她的拘束也消失了。他們快到芝加哥了。前面就是芝加哥的跡象到處可見。這些跡象在窗外一掠而過?；疖囻傔^開闊平坦的大草原，他們看見一排排的電線桿穿過田野通向芝加哥。隔了老遠就可以看到芝加哥城郊那些高聳入云的大煙囪。開闊的田野中間不時聳立起兩層樓的木造房屋，孤零零的，既沒籬笆也沒樹木遮蔽，好像是即將到來的房屋大軍派出的前哨。對于孩子，對于想象力豐富的人，或者對于從未出過遠門的人來說，第一次接近一個大城市真是奇妙的經(jīng)歷。特別是在傍晚，光明與夜色交替的神秘時刻，生活正從一種境界或狀態(tài)向另一種境界過渡。啊，那即將來臨的夜色，給予勞累一天的人們多少希望和允諾！一切舊的希望總是日復(fù)一日在這個時刻復(fù)蘇。那些辛勞一天的人們在對自己說：“總算可以歇口氣了。我可以好好地樂一樂了。街道和燈火，大放光明的飯?zhí)煤蛿[放棄整的晚餐，這一切都在等著我。還有戲院，舞廳，聚會，各種休息場所和娛樂手段，在夜里統(tǒng)統(tǒng)屬于我了。"雖然身子還被關(guān)在車間和店鋪，一種激動的氣氛早已沖到外面，彌漫在空氣中。即使那些最遲鈍的人也會有所感覺，盡管他們不善表達或描述。這是一種重擔(dān)終于卸肩時的感覺視著窗外，她的同伴感染到了她的驚奇。一切事物都具有傳染力，所以他不禁對這城市重新發(fā)生了興趣，向嘉莉指點著芝加哥的種種名勝和景觀。“這是芝加哥西北區(qū)，”杜洛埃說道?！澳鞘侵ゼ痈绾??！彼钢粭l渾濁的小河，河里充塞著來自遠方的帆船。這些船桅桿聳立，船頭碰擦著豎有黑色木桿的河岸?；疖噰姲l(fā)出一股濃煙，切嚓切嚓，鐵軌發(fā)出一聲撞擊聲，那小河就被拋在后面了?！爸ゼ痈鐣莻€大都市，”他繼續(xù)說著?！罢媸莻€奇跡。你會發(fā)現(xiàn)有許多東西值得一看。”她并沒有專心聽他說話。她的心里有一種擔(dān)心在困擾著她。想到自己孤身一人，遠離家鄉(xiāng)，闖進這一片生活和奮斗的海洋，情緒不能不受影響。她不禁感到氣透不過來。有一點不舒服--因為她的心跳得太快了。她半閉上眼睛，竭力告訴自己這算不得什么，老家哥倫比亞城離這里并不遠?！爸ゼ痈绲搅?！”司閘喊道，呼一聲打開了車門?；疖囌?cè)胍粋€擁擠的車場，站臺上響徹著生活的嘈雜和熱鬧。她開始收拾自己可憐的小提箱，手里緊緊捏著錢包。杜洛埃站起身來，踢了踢腿，弄直褲子，然后抓起了他的干凈的黃提箱?！澳慵依镉腥藭斫幽惆?，”他說，“讓我?guī)湍懔嘞渥印！薄皠e，”她回答，“我不想讓你提。我和姐姐見面時不想讓她看見你和我在一起?！薄昂冒?，”他和和氣氣地說，“不過我會在附近的。萬一她不來接你，我可以護送你安全回家的?！薄澳阏婧?，”嘉莉說道。身處目前這種陌生的場合，她倍感這種關(guān)心的可貴?！爸ゼ痈?！”司閘拖長聲音喊道。他們現(xiàn)在到了一個巨大的車棚底下，昏暗的車棚里已點起燈火。到處都是客車?；疖囅裎伵Ｒ话憔従徱苿?。車廂里的人都站了起來，擁向門口。“嘿，我們到了?！倍怕灏Ｕf著領(lǐng)先向門口走去?！霸僖?，星期一見?！薄霸僖?，“她答道，握住了他伸出的手?！坝涀?，我會在旁邊看著，一直到你找到你姐姐?！彼龑λ哪抗鈭笠晕⑿?。他們魚貫而下，他假裝不注意她。站臺上一個臉頰瘦削，模樣普通的婦女認出嘉莉，急忙迎上前來?！八暗??！彪S后是例行的擁抱，表示歡迎。嘉莉立刻感覺到氣氛的變化。眼前雖然仍是一片紛亂喧鬧和新奇的世界，她感覺到冰冷的現(xiàn)實抓住了她的手。她的世界里并沒有光明和歡樂，沒有一個接著一個的娛樂和消遣。她姐姐身上還帶著艱辛操勞的痕跡?！凹依锶诉€好嗎？”她姐姐開始問道，“爸媽怎么樣？”嘉莉一一作了回答，目光卻在看別處。在過道那頭，杜洛埃正站在通向候車室和大街的門邊，回頭朝嘉莉那邊看。當(dāng)他看到她看見了他，看到她已平安地和姐姐團聚，他朝她留下一個笑影，便轉(zhuǎn)身離去。只有嘉莉看到了他的微笑。他走了，嘉莉感到悵然若失。等他完全消失不見了，她充分感到了他的離去給她帶來的孤獨。和她姐姐在一起，她感到自己就像無情的洶涌大海里的一葉孤舟，孤苦無依。Chapter2WHATPOVERTYTHREATENED--OFGRANITEANDBRASSMinnie'sflat,astheone-floorresidentapartmentswerethenbeingcalled,wasinapartofWestVanBurenStreetinhabitedbyfamiliesoflabourersandclerks,menwhohadcome,andwerestillcoming,withtherushofpopulationpouringinattherateof50,000ayear.Itwasonthethirdfloor,thefrontwindowslookingdownintothestreet,where,atnight,thelightsofgrocerystoreswereshiningandchildrenwereplaying.ToCarrie,thesoundofthelittlebellsuponthehorse-cars,astheytinkledinandoutofhearing,wasaspleasingasitwasnovel.ShegazedintothelightedstreetwhenMinniebroughtherintothefrontroom,andwonderedatthesounds,themovement,themurmurofthevastcitywhichstretchedformilesandmilesineverydirection.Mrs.Hanson,afterthefirstgreetingswereover,gaveCarriethebabyandproceededtogetsupper.Herhusbandaskedafewquestionsandsatdowntoreadtheeveningpaper.Hewasasilentman,Americanborn,ofaSwedefather,andnowemployedasacleanerofrefrigeratorcarsatthestock-yards.Tohimthepresenceorabsenceofhiswife'ssisterwasamatterofindifference.Herpersonalappearancedidnotaffecthimonewayortheother.HisoneobservationtothepointwasconcerningthechancesofworkinChicago."It'sabigplace,"hesaid."Youcangetinsomewhereinafewdays.Everybodydoes."Ithadbeentacitlyunderstoodbeforehandthatshewastogetworkandpayherboard.Hewasofaclean,savingdisposition,andhadalreadypaidanumberofmonthlyinstalmentsontwolotsfaroutontheWestSide.Hisambitionwassomedaytobuildahouseonthem.IntheintervalwhichmarkedthepreparationofthemealCarriefoundtimetostudytheflat.Shehadsomeslightgiftofobservationandthatsense,sorichineverywoman--intuition.Shefeltthedragofaleanandnarrowlife.Thewallsoftheroomswerediscordantlypapered.Thefloorswerecoveredwithmattingandthehalllaidwithathinragcarpet.Onecouldseethatthefurniturewasofthatpoor,hurriedlypatchedtogetherqualitysoldbytheinstalmenthouses.ShesatwithMinnie,inthekitchen,holdingthebabyuntilitbegantocry.Thenshewalkedandsangtoit,untilHanson,disturbedinhisreading,cameandtookit.Apleasantsidetohisnaturecameouthere.Hewaspatient.Onecouldseethathewasverymuchwrappedupinhisoffspring."Now,now,"hesaid,walking."There,there,"andtherewasacertainSwedishaccentnoticeableinhisvoice."You'llwanttoseethecityfirst,won'tyou?"saidMinnie,whentheywereea