SISTER CARRIE. Theodore Dreiser

and now it was driven into Carrie’s mind that here was the superior man. She instinctively felt that he was stronger and higher, and yet withal so simple. By the end of the third act she was sure that Drouet was only a kindly soul, but otherwise defective. He sank every moment in her estimation by the strong comparison.

      “I have had such a nice time,” said Carrie, when it was all over and they were coming out.

      “Yes, indeed,” added Drouet, who was not in the least aware that a battle had been fought and his defences weakened. He was like the Emperor of China, who sat glorying in himself, unaware that his fairest provinces were being wrested from him.

      “Well, you have saved me a dreary evening,” returned Hurstwood. “Good-night.”

      He took Carrie’s little hand, and a current of feeling swept from one to the other.

      “I’m so tired,” said Carrie, leaning back in the car when Drouet began to talk.

      “Well, you rest a little while I smoke,” he said, rising, and then he foolishly went to the forward platform of the car and left the game as it stood.