When six o'clock came she hurried eagerly away, her arms aching and her limbs stiff from sitting in one position.
As she passed out along the hall after getting her hat, a young machine hand, attracted by her looks, made bold to jest with her.
"Say, Maggie," he called, "if you wait, I'll walk with you." It was thrown so straight in her direction that she knew who was meant, but never turned to look.
In the crowded elevator, another dusty, toil-stained youth tried to make an impression on her by leering in her face.
One young man, waiting on the walk outside for the appearance of another, grinned at her as she passed.
"Ain't going my way, are you ?" he called jocosely.
Carrie turned her face to the west with a subdued heart.

As she turned the corner, she saw through the great shiny window the small desk at which she had applied.

There were the crowds, hurrying with the same buzz and energy-yielding enthusiasm.

She felt a slight relief, but it was only at her escape.

She felt ashamed in the face of better dressed girls who went by.