Where have been?”

Carrie smiled under his irresistible flood of geniality.

" I’ve been out home,” she said.

" Well,” he said, " I saw you across the street there.  I thought it was you.  I was just coming out to your place.

How are you, anywhere?”

" I’m all right,” said Carrie, smiling.

Drouet looked her over and saw something different.

" Well,” he said, " I want to talk to you.  You’re not going anywhere in particular, are you?”

" Not just now,” said Carrie.

" Let’s go up here and have something to eat.  George! but I’m glad to see you again.”

She felt so relieved in his radiant presence, so much though with the slightest air of holding back.

" Well,” he said, as he took her arm-and there was an exuberance of good-fellowship in the word which fairly warmed the cockles of her heart.

They went through Monroe Street to the old Windson dining-room, which was then a large, comfortable place with an excellent cuisine and substantial service.  Drouet selected a table close by the window, where the busy route of the street could be seen.  He loved the changing panorama of the street-to see and be seen as he dined.

" Now,” he said, getting Carrie and himself comfortably settled, " what will you have?”

Carrie looked over the large bill of fare which the waiter handed her without really considering it.  She was very hungry, and the things she saw there awakened her desires, but the high prices held her attention. " Half broiled spring chicken-seventy-five.  Sirloin steak with mushrooms-one twenty-five.”  She had dimly heard of these things, but it seemed strange to be called to order from the list.

" I’ll fix this,” exclaimed Drouet. " Sst! waiter.”

That officer of the board, a full-chested, round-faced negro, approached, and inclined his ear.

" Sirloin with mushrooms,” said Drouet. " Stuffed tomatoes.”

" Yassah,” assented the negro, nodding his head.

" Hashed brown potatoes.”

" Yassah.”

" Asparagus.”

" Yassah.”

" And a pot of coffee.”

Drouet turned to Carrie. " I haven’t had a thing since breakfast.  Just got in from Rock Island.  I was going off to dine when I saw you.”

Carrie smiled and smiled.

" What have you been doing?” he went on. " Tell me all about yourself.  How is your sister?”

" She’s well,” returned Carrie, answering the last query.

He looked at her hard.

" Say,” he said,” you haven’t been sick, have you?”

Carrie nodded.

" Well, now that’s a blooming shame, isn’t it?  You don’t look very well.  I thought you looked a little pale.

What have you been doing?”

" Working,” said Carrie.

" You don’t say so!  At what?”

She told him.