Chapter 39 Summary

Carrie runs into Mrs. Vance one afternoon in town and is embarrassed to tell her friend her new address. Carrie rushes home and begs Hurstwood not to allow himself to be seen when Mrs. Vance stops by for a visit. Hurstwood continues to pretend to be looking for work, but spends most of his afternoons playing poker, losing a great deal of money in several games. A few days after Carrie runs into Mrs. Vance, Mrs. Vance stops by the flat while Carrie is out and speaks to Hurstwood. Carrie is mortified to learn that Mrs. Vance saw Hurstwood in his old clothes, unshaven. Carrie and Hurstwood fight and Hurstwood tells Carrie that their marriage was not legal, a fact she apparently was not aware of. This argument causes Hurstwood to leave the flat in an attempt to find work; but instead, he...