Chapter 20 Summary

The play begins and Drouet and Hurstwood both watch with baited breath. Carrie is clearly still nervous, unable to play her part with much emotion and speaking so low the audience can barely hear her. Hurstwood suggests that Drouet go back and speak to Carrie in order to bolster her courage, all the while wishing he could go to her instead. Drouet does go, speaking to Carrie with affection that gives her some more confidence, but she is still not as good as she was in rehearsals. In the third act, however, Carrie finds herself becoming less nervous and more capable of feeling the emotion of the part, acting the scene so well that Hurstwood finds himself unable to stay in his seat. Hurstwood rushes backstage to congratulate her and finds himself jealous of Drouet's presence. For the rest of the play, Carrie...