She did not hear this very well.Her heart was troubled by a kind of terror.The fact that she was alone, away from home, rushing into a great sea of life and endeavour, began to tell.
She could not help but feel a little choked for breath--a little sick as her heart beat so fast.She half closed her eyes and tried to think it was nothing, that Columbia City was only a little way off.
"Chicago! Chicago!" called the brakeman, slamming open the door.
They were rushing into a more crowded yard, alive with the clatter and clang of life.She began to gather up her poor little grip and closed her hand firmly upon her purse.Drouet arose, kicked his legs to straighten his trousers, and seized his clean yellow grip.
"I suppose your people will be here to meet you?" he said."Let me carry your grip."
"Oh, no," she said."I'd rather you wouldn't.I'd rather you wouldn't be with me when I meet my sister."
"All right," he said in all kindness."I'll be near, though, in case she isn't here, and take you out there safely."
"You're so kind," said Carrie, feeling the goodness of such attention in her strange situation.
"Chicago!" called the brakeman, drawing the word out long.They were under a great shadowy train shed, where the lamps were already beginning to shine out, with passenger cars all about and the train moving at a snail's pace.The people in the car were all up and crowding about the door.