Сборник лучших произведений американской классической литературы. Уровень 4

“Would you rather put it off for a few days?” I asked.

“Oh, it isn't about that. At least – ” He fumbled with a series of beginnings. “Why, I thought – why, look here, old sport, you don't make much money, do you?”

“Not very much.”

This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.

“I thought you didn't, if you'll pardon my – you see, I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of sideline, you understand. And I thought that if you don't make very much – You're selling bonds, aren't you, old sport?”

“Trying to.

“Well, this would interest you. It wouldn't take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money. It happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing.”

I realize now that under different circumstances that conversation might have been one of the crises of my life. But, because the offer was obviously and tactlessly for a service to be rendered, I had no choice except to cut him off there.

I called up Daisy from the office next morning and invited her to come to tea.

“Don't bring Tom,” I warned her.

“What?”

“Don't bring Tom.”

“Who is Tom?” she asked innocently.

The day agreed upon was pouring rain.

At eleven o'clock a man in a raincoat tapped at my front door and said that Mr. Gatsby had sent him over to cut my grass.

At two o'clock a greenhouse arrived from Gatsby's, with innumerable receptacles to contain it.

An hour later the front door opened nervously, and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold-colored tie hurried in.

“Is everything all right?” he asked immediately.

“The grass looks fine, if that's what you mean.”

“What grass?” he inquired blankly. “Oh, the grass in the yard.” He looked out the window at it, but judging from his expression I don't believe he saw a thing.

“Looks very good,” he remarked vaguely.

I took him into the pantry where he looked a little reproachfully at the Finn.

“Will they do?” I asked.

“Of course, of course! They're fine!” and he added hollowly, “…old sport.”

“Nobody's coming to tea. It's too late!” He looked at his watch as if there was some pressing demand on his time elsewhere. “I can't wait all day.”

“Don't be silly; it's just two minutes to four.