Chapter 14 14. A lover who spends money

Chapter One There are three thousand saleswomen in the Biggest department store.Marciel was one of them.She was eighteen, and she stood at the counter in the men's glove department.It was at this three-foot counter that she became acquainted with people of all kinds from the two major genders of human beings, the gentlemen who came to the store to buy gloves, and the ladies who bought gloves for their husbands.In addition to this wide-ranging knowledge of the various parts of society, Marciel acquired other knowledge.She also heard the wisdom and admonitions of the other 2,999 girls, and like a Maltese cat, quietly and carefully stored them in her brain, perhaps foreseeing that she would lack the guidance of a good teacher in the future, While the Creator gave her beauty, he also gave her the intelligence to help herself, just as the Creator gave the silver fox the cunning and quick-wittedness when giving it the precious fur that other animals do not have.Because Marciel is indeed a rare beauty.She was blond and pretty, and had the poised and calm look of women who bake butter cakes at the window.She stood in front of the glove counter at the Biggest store; when you held out your hand for your glove to be measured, you thought it was Herbie standing in front of you; when you looked up again When she is at her, you will wonder how she has a pair of eyes full of aura of Minerva【Note 2】.When the mall inspector was not watching, Marciel ate her candied fruit; when he turned this way, she looked up, as if looking at the clouds in the sky, with a dreamy sweet look on her face. smile.This is the characteristic smile of a shopgirl, and I advise you to avoid it unless you have a heart of stone, a dull sense, and a Cupid's knack for playful emotion.For Marciel it was always in her spare time, not at the counter, that smile; of course the inspectors must have their own kind of smile, too.They are the Sherlocks of the mall [Note 4], they wander around looking for opportunities to get fined.

[Note 1] Herbie: The goddess of youth in Greek mythology. [Note 2] Minerva: The goddess of wisdom in Roman mythology. 【Note 3】Cupid: The god of love in Roman mythology, a naked, winged, beautiful boy holding a bow and arrow. 【Note 4】Sherlock: The Jew who lends us money in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. When they see a pretty girl, their eyes can't look anywhere else.Of course, not all inspectors are like this.Just a few days ago, the newspaper published a romantic story of an old man over eighty years old.One day, Owen.Carter, a painter, millionaire, traveler, poet, and car collector, happened to be in the Biggest department store.To be fair to him, his shop visits were not of his own choosing.His mother wanted to look at the bronze and plaster statues here, and he had to follow out of filial piety.Carter walked towards the opposite glove cabinet, wanting to browse there for a while.He really needed to buy one, because he forgot his gloves when he went out.Since he had never heard of flirting at the glove counter before, there was hardly anything wrong with his behavior.As he was about to reach his destination, he hesitated, because he suddenly realized that Cupid's playful and flirtatious side was unfolding before him, something he had never known before.Three or four flirtatiously dressed young men were leaning against the counter, trying to put on their medium-sized gloves. The girls at the counter looked amused, and some of them were even flirting with the leader. stand up.Carter wanted to back away, but he was too close.Marciel at the counter was already looking at him face to face, her pair of questioning eyes were so beautiful, blue, and radiating a cold light, just like the ice floes in the South China Sea reflecting the summer sun. The shining light of the sun.

At this time, as a painter and millionaire Owen.Carter, feeling a hot blush in his aristocratic pale face.It wasn't that he lacked self-confidence and was timid.He blushed because he realized something.He soon felt that he was in the company of the young men chasing the giggling girls at the counter.He himself is now like Cupid in his tryst under the oak tree, snuggled up at the counter, hoping to win the favor of the glove girl, and he is no longer different from Bill, Jack, Mickey and the like . Then, he suddenly felt that the reckless behavior of these young people was forgivable, and a kind of contempt for the traditional etiquette he had received suddenly arose in his heart, as well as a firm determination to take this perfect stunner as his own.After the gloves were wrapped and paid for, Carter lingered a little longer.The dimples around the corners of Marciel's red mouth seemed deeper and more beautiful.

[Note] Bill, Jack, Mickey: Just like Zhang San, Li Si, and Wang Laoer in our country, they are general terms. Chapter two All the men who come here to buy gloves must stay like this for a while.She bent one arm, showing her Psyche-like arm through her loose blouse, and finally rested her elbow on the edge of the counter.Carter had never been in a situation before that he was not comfortable with.But now, he was more awkward than a young man like Bill or Jack or Mickey, and he had no chance of meeting this pretty girl in a formal social setting.He searched his mind for what he had read or heard before about the nature and habits of salesgirls.Then he somehow came to the conclusion that sometimes they were not so strict that they could not get to know each other without a formal introduction.Carter's heart beat violently at the thought that he was going to invite this lovely and chaste girl to an extraordinary interview.Yet the passion surging in his breast gave him courage.

[Note] Psyche: the incarnation of the human soul in the image of a maiden in Greek mythology. After a few friendly greetings in general, will you forgive me as he puts his card on the counter next to her hand?If you think me rash, he said; but I sincerely hope you will give me the honor of seeing you again.My name is on the card; I assure you that it is with the sincerest respect that I ask to be recognized as a friend of yours.Can I wish I had this honor?Of course Marciel knew men, especially men who came to buy gloves.She looked at him frankly and with a smile, and said without hesitation: Of course.I don't think there's anything wrong with your behavior, even though I usually don't go out with strange men.It's not like ladylike behavior.When do you want to see me again?

At the earliest possible time, said Carter, if you would allow me to visit your home, I would Marciel laughed beautifully, oh, ouch, that won't work!At the end, she said solemnly, as long as you take a look at our apartment, you will never want to go there again!There are five of us living in three small rooms. If I bring a boyfriend to my house, I should see my mother's face. Well, says Carter, already obsessed, anywhere you find convenient. Oh, I see, Marciel has a good idea on her pink face, Thursday night would be all right, can you come to the corner of 8th and 48th at 7:30 ?I live right around the corner.But as soon as eleven o'clock comes, I have to go back.My mother never allowed us to stay outside after eleven o'clock.

Carter very gratefully promised that he would be punctual for his appointment, and then hastened to his mother, who was looking for him to have him authenticate the bronze statue of Diana she wanted to buy. [Note] Diana: The goddess of the moon and hunting in Roman mythology. At this time, a sales girl with small eyes and a flat nose came up to Marciel and gave her a meaningful look. Are you on line with him, Marciel?asked the girl, looking very friendly. The gentleman wanted my permission to come and see me at my house, Marciel replied pompously, slipping Carter's card into her smock.

Go home for a visit!The small-eyed girl couldn't help laughing and repeated, he didn't say anything about treating you to dinner in Waldorf and then taking him for a drive? Ah, don't mention your tricks!Marciel said impatiently, you always like those gaudy things, ever since that fire brigade hose truck driver took you out to eat chop suey, you have felt great.No, he didn't mention Waldorf at all; but he has a Fifth Avenue address on his business card, and if he's going to take me to dinner, I bet it won't be in one of those cheap, cheap Chinese in the restaurant. 【Note】One of the busiest streets in New York, USA.

third chapter As Carter drove his electric sedan out of the Biggest department store with his mother, he bit his lower lip, feeling a little pain in his heart.He knew that for the first time in the twenty-nine years of his life, love fell upon him.The person he fell in love with agreed to meet him on the street so happily. Although this was the first step to realize his wish, many misunderstandings occurred along with it that took him a long time to think.Carter didn't know much about the sales girl.He didn't know if her home was the kind of house that was almost too small to live in, or if the house was often full of relatives and friends, and there were so many that he couldn't let it go.Perhaps the corner of the street was her drawing-room, the garden in the middle of the street her living room, the street her garden-path; As my love stays in her rich and beautiful chambers.

One evening, two weeks after their first meeting, Carter and Marciel walked arm in arm into a small, dimly lit park.They found a bench in a secluded place shaded by trees and sat down.For the first time, he put his arms around her graceful waist gently.She also gently rested her golden hair on his shoulder, eh!Marciel breathed a sigh of relief, why didn't you think of doing this earlier? Marciel, said Carter earnestly, you must know that I love you.I sincerely beg you to marry me.Now that you know me well enough, you won't doubt my sincerity.I want you, I must have you.I don't care a bit about the difference in our social status.

What's the difference?Marciel asked curiously. Oh, nothing at all, said Carter quickly, only some stupid people think that I am capable of giving you a life of luxury.My social status is recognized, my wealth is abundant. That's what they say too, Marciel replied, it's just what they say to you.I'm guessing your real job is just being a deli clerk, or betting on horse races for a living.I'm not as naive as I look. I can give you all the evidence you need to convince you, Carter said softly, I need you, Marciel.The first time I saw you, I fell in love with you. They are all the same, Marciel couldn't help laughing and said, at least they said so.If I could meet someone who fell in love with me the third time I saw me, I think I might fall in love with him too. Please don't say that, Carter pleaded, take my word for it, my dear, from the first moment I laid eyes on you, you have been the only woman I have ever loved in this world. Oh, you are a liar!Marciel smiled and said, how many girls have you said this to? But Carter still insisted on telling his sincerity.In the end, he finally touched the hard-to-grasp soul [Note] hidden deep under the salesgirl's breasts.His words penetrated into her heart, this frivolous joke was originally her safest line of defense.She looked at him with sincere eyes.A warm blush appeared on her cold cheeks.Trembling, clumsily, she folded her wings like a moth, as if she was about to land on the flower of love.The dawn of the living world three feet away from her counter and its various beautiful longings are already illuminating her heart. [Note] Literal translation cannot express the meaning of the original text. The original text is flimsy fluttering little soul. The translator adopted a free translation. Carter sensed this change in her affections, and couldn't wait to seize the opportunity. Marry me, Marciel, he whispered tenderly, and we'd be far from this ugly city, to the picturesque city. to the city.We will forget about work and business, and life will be one endless festival.I know where I should take you where I used to go.Just imagine that it is always summer on the coast there, the waves of the sea are always lapping gently on the lovely sand, and the people are as happy and free as children.We will take a boat to another coast for sightseeing.You can stay there as long as you want.One of these distant cities had its quarters full of magnificent palaces and towers, which housed beautiful pictures and statues.The streets of that city are the rivers that surround it, and people go out by I know, said Marciel, sitting up straight suddenly, by a gondola. Yes, Carter said with a smile. I've already thought about what you're going to say, said Marciel. And then, Carter continued, we'll go on traveling and visit wherever we want in the world.After the European city tour, we will visit India to see its ancient cities, ride an elephant, visit the amazing temples of India and Brahmins, go to Persia to see camel caravans and chariot races, and everything else Fantastic scenery of the country.Don't you like it all, Marciel? Marciel stood up now, I think we'd better go home, she said dryly, it's getting late.Carter obeyed her.He had come to know her fickle moods, and it was no use trying to oppose them.Still, he felt a little elation about his victory.For a moment at last he held the heart of this rebellious Psyche of his, though only a thread as thin as silk.The hope in his heart was strengthened.She once closed her wings and gently stroked her hand on his. [Note] Psyche: In Greek mythology, she is the incarnation of the human soul (Psyche means soul in Greek), often appearing as a girl with butterfly wings. The next day in the Biggest department store, Marciel's good friend Lulu stopped her at the counter. How are you and that friend who is in love with you going?Lulu asked. Oh him?Marciel stroked the curls on the side of her head and said he had nothing to do with me anymore.Hey Lulu, do you know what that guy wants me to do? Make you an actor?Lu Lu held her breath and guessed. No; his taste is too vulgar for that.He wants me to marry him and go honeymoon to Coney Island! 【Note】The island is located northeast of New York City.