Сестра Керри

Chapter XLV. Curious Shifts Of The Poor

           Whowillgivemeninecents?”

           Oneofthewatchers,thistimeamiddle-agedman,handedhimafive-centpiece.

           “Now,Ihaveeightcents.Fourmorewillgivethismanabed.Come,gentlemen.Wearegoingveryslowthisevening.Youallhavegoodbeds.Howaboutthese?”

           “Hereyouare,”remarkedabystander,puttingacoinintohishand.

           “That,”saidthecaptain,lookingatthecoin,“paysfortwobedsfortwomenandgivesmefiveonthenextone.Whowillgivemesevencentsmore?”

           “Iwill,”saidavoice.

           ComingdownSixthAvenuethisevening,HurstwoodchancedtocrosseastthroughTwenty-sixthStreettowardThirdAvenue.Hewaswhollydisconsolateinspirit,hungrytowhathedeemedanalmostmortalextent,weary,anddefeated.HowshouldhegetatCarrienow?Itwouldbeelevenbeforetheshowwasover.Ifshecameinacoach,shewouldgoawayinone.Hewouldneedtointerruptundermosttryingcircumstances.Worstofall,hewashungryandweary,andatbestawholedaymustintervene,forhehadnothearttotryagainto-night.Hehadnofoodandnobed.

           WhenhenearedBroadway,henoticedthecaptain’sgatheringofwanderers,butthinkingittobetheresultofastreetpreacherorsomepatentmedicinefakir,wasabouttopasson.However,incrossingthestreettowardMadisonSquarePark,henoticedthelineofmenwhosebedswerealreadysecured,stretchingoutfromthemainbodyofthecrowd.Intheglareoftheneighbouringelectriclightherecognisedatypeofhisownkind—thefigureswhomhesawaboutthestreetsandinthelodging-houses,driftinginmindandbodylikehimself.

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