Сестра Керри

Chapter I. The Magnet Attracting: A Waif Amid Forces

           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.

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