Their clothes were neat, in many instances fine, and wherever she encountered the eye of one it was her individual shortcomings of dress and that shadow of manner which she though must hang about her and lighted in her heart.

She realized in a dim way how meant for women, and she longed for dress and beauty with a whole heart.
On the second floor were the managerial offices, to which, after some inquiry, she was now directed.

There she found other girls ahead of her, applicants like herself, but with more of that self-satisfied and independent air which experience of the city lends; girls who scrutinized her in a painful manner.

After a wait of perhaps three quarters of an hour, she was called in turn.
"Now," said a sharp, quick-mannered Jew, who was sitting at a roll-top desk near the windows, "have you even worked in any other store ?" "No, sir," said Carrie.
"Oh, you haven't," he said, eyeing her keenly.
"No, sir," she replied.
"Well, we prefer young women just now with some experience.

I guess we can't use you." Carrie stood waiting a moment, hardly certain whether the interview had terminated.
"Don't wait!" he exclaimed.