Get yourself some clothes." It was the first reference he had made to that subject, and now she realized how bad off she was.

In his crude way he had struck the key-note.

Her lips trembled a little.
She had her hand out on the table before her.

They were quite alone in their corner, and he put his larger, warmer hand over it.
"Aw, come, Carrie," he said, "what can you do alone?
Let me help you." He pressed her hand gently and she tried to withdraw it.

At this he held it fast, and she no longer protested.