Carrie had bathed and was waiting when he arrived. She looked refreshed—more delightful than ever, but reserved. Since he had gone she had resumed somewhat of her cold attitude towards him. Love was not blazing in her heart. He felt it, and his troubles seemed increased. He could not take her in his arms; he did not even try. Something about her forbade it. In part his opinion was the result of his own experiences and reflections below stairs.
“You’re ready, are you?” he said kindly.
“Yes,” she answered.
“We’ll go out for breakfast. This place down here doesn’t appeal to me very much.”
“All right,” said Carrie.
They went out, and at the corner the commonplace Irish individual was standing, eyeing him. Hurstwood could scarcely refrain from showing that he knew of this chap’s presence. The insolence in the fellow’s eye was galling. Still they passed, and he explained to Carrie concerning the city. Another restaurant was not long in showing itself, and here they entered.
“What a queer town this is,” said Carrie, who marvelled at it solely because it was not like Chicago.
“It isn’t as lively as Chicago,” said Hurstwood. “Don’t you like it?”
“No,” said Carrie, whose feelings were already localised in the great Western city.
“Well, it isn’t as interesting,” said Hurstwood.