The Great Gatsby / Великий Гэтсби. Книга для чтения на английском языке

”

I knew now why her face was familiar – its pleasing contemptuous expression had looked out at me from many pictures of the sporting life at Hot Springs and Palm Beach[29 - Hot Springs and Palm Beach – Хот-Спрингс и Палм-Бич – небольшие города в США]. I had heard some unpleasant story of her too, but what it was I had forgotten long ago.

“Good night,” she said softly. “Wake me at eight, won’t you?”

“If you’ll get up.”

“I will.

Good night, Mr. Carraway. See you anon[30 - see you anon – пока; до встречи].”

“Of course you will,” confirmed Daisy. “In fact, I think I’ll arrange a marriage. Come over often, Nick, and I’ll sort of – oh – fling you together[31 - I’ll sort of – oh – fling you together – я – как это говорится? – брошу вас в объятия друг друга]. You know – lock you up accidentally in linen closets and push you out to sea in a boat —”

“Good night,” called Miss Baker from the stairs.

“I haven’t heard a word.”

“She’s a nice girl,” said Tom after a moment. “Her family oughtn’t to let her run around the country this way.”

“Her family is one aunt about a thousand years old. Besides, Nick’s going to look after her, aren’t you, Nick? She’s going to spend lots of week-ends out here this summer. I think the home influence will be very good for her.

”

Daisy and Tom looked at each other for a moment in silence.

“Did you give Nick a little heart-to-heart talk on the veranda?” demanded Tom suddenly.

“Did I?” She looked at me. “I can’t seem to remember, but I think we talked about the Nordic race. Yes, I’m sure we did. And first thing you know —”

“Don’t believe everything you hear, Nick,” he advised me.

I said lightly that I had heard nothing at all, and a few minutes later I got up to go home.

As I started my motor Daisy called: “Wait! I forgot to ask you something, and it’s important. We heard you were engaged to a girl out West.”

“That’s right,” agreed Tom kindly. “We heard that you were engaged.”

“It’s a libel. I’m too poor.”

Of course I knew what they were referring to, but I wasn’t even vaguely engaged. This gossip was one of the reasons I had come East.