«Великий Гэтсби» и другие лучшие произведения Ф.С. Фицджеральда

Tom and Daisy stared, with that peculiarly unreal feeling that accompanies the recognition of a hitherto ghostly celebrity of the movies.

�She’s lovely,’ said Daisy.

�The man bending over her is her director.’

He took them ceremoniously from group to group:

�Mrs. Buchanan… and Mr. Buchanan —’ After an instant’s hesitation he added: �the polo player.’

�Oh no,’ objected Tom quickly, �not me.’

But evidently the sound of it pleased Gatsby for Tom remained �the polo player’ for the rest of the evening.

�I’ve never met so many celebrities,’ Daisy exclaimed, �I liked that man – what was his name? – with the sort of blue nose.’

Gatsby identified him, adding that he was a small producer.

�Well, I liked him anyhow.’

�I’d a little rather not be the polo player,’ said Tom pleasantly, �I’d rather look at all these famous people in – in oblivion.’

Daisy and Gatsby danced. I remember being surprised by his graceful, conservative fox-trot – I had never seen him dance before.

Then they sauntered over to my house and sat on the steps for half an hour, while at her request I remained watchfully in the garden. �In case there’s a fire or a flood,’ she explained, �or any act of God.’

Tom appeared from his oblivion as we were sitting down to supper together. �Do you mind if I eat with some people over here?’ he said. �A fellow’s getting off some funny stuff.’

�Go ahead,’ answered Daisy genially, �and if you want to take down any addresses here’s my little gold-pencil.

’…She looked around after a moment and told me the girl was �common but pretty’, and I knew that except for the half-hour she’d been alone with Gatsby she wasn’t having a good time.

We were at a particularly tipsy table. That was my fault – Gatsby had been called to the phone, and I’d enjoyed these same people only two weeks before. But what had amused me then turned septic on the air now.

�How do you feel, Miss Baedeker?’

The girl addressed was trying, unsuccessfully, to slump against my shoulder. At this inquiry she sat up and opened her eyes.

�Wha’?’

A massive and lethargic woman, who had been urging Daisy to play golf with her at the local club tomorrow, spoke in Miss Baedeker’s defence:

�Oh, she’s all right now. When she’s had five or six cocktails she always starts screaming like that.