The next day Hurstwood said: "We owe the grocer five dollars and forty cents this week." "Do we ?" said Carrie, frowning a little.
She looked in her purse to leave it.
"I've only got eight dollars and twenty cents altogether." "We owe the milkman sixty cents," added Hurstwood.
"Yes, and there's the coal man," said Carrie.
Hurstwood said nothing.

He had seen the new things she was buying; the way she was neglecting household duties; the readiness with which she was slipping out afternoons and staying.

He felt that something was going to happen.

All at once she spoke: "I don't know," she said; "I can't do it all.

I don't earn enough." This was a direct challenge.