“Yes, and there’s the coal man,” said Carrie.
Hurstwood said nothing. He had seen the new things she was buying; the way she was neglecting household duties; the readiness with which she was slipping out afternoons and staying. He felt that something was going to happen. All at once she spoke:
“I don’t know,” she said; “I can’t do it all. I don’t earn enough.”
This was a direct challenge. Hurstwood had to take it up. He tried to be calm.
“I don’t want you to do it all,” he said. “I only want a little help until I can get something to do.”
“Oh, yes,” answered Carrie. “That’s always the way. It takes more than I can earn to pay for things. I don’t see what I’m going to do.
“Well, I’ve tried to get something,” he exclaimed. What do you want me to do?”
“You couldn’t have tried so very hard,” said Carrie. “I got something.”
“Well, I did,” he said, angered almost to harsh words. “You needn’t throw up your success to me. All I asked was a little help until I could get something. I’m not down yet. I’ll come up all right.”
He tried to speak steadily, but his voice trembled a little.