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

The immediate contingency overtook him, pulled him back from the edge of the theoretical abyss.

�I’ve made a small investigation of this fellow,’ he continued. �I could have gone deeper if I’d known —’

�Do you mean you’ve been to a medium?’ inquired Jordan humorously.

�What?’ Confused, he stared at us as we laughed. �A medium?’

�About Gatsby.’

�About Gatsby! No, I haven’t. I said I’d been making a small investigation of his past.’

�And you found he was an Oxford man,’ said Jordan helpfully.

�An Oxford man!’ He was incredulous. �Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit.’

�Nevertheless he’s an Oxford man.’

�Oxford, New Mexico,’ snorted Tom contemptuously, �or something like that.’

�Listen, Tom. If you’re such a snob, why did you invite him to lunch?’ demanded Jordan crossly.

�Daisy invited him; she knew him before we were married – God knows where!’

We were all irritable now with the fading ale, and aware of it we drove for a while in silence.

�We’ve got enough to get us to town,’ said Tom.

�But there’s a garage right here,’ objected Jordan. �I don’t want to get stalled in this baking heat.’

Tom threw on both brakes impatiently, and we slid to an abrupt dusty spot under Wilson’s sign. After a moment the proprietor emerged from the interior of his establishment and gazed hollow-eyed at the car.

�Let’s have some gas!’ cried Tom roughly. �What do you think we stopped for – to admire the view?’

�I’m sick,’ said Wilson without moving. �Been sick all day.’

�What’s the matter?’

�I’m all run down.’

�Well, shall I help myself?’ Tom demanded. �You sounded well enough on the phone.’

With an effort Wilson left the shade and support of the doorway and, breathing hard, unscrewed the cap of the tank.

�I didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch,’ he said. �But I need money pretty bad, and I was wondering what you were going to do with your old car.’

�How do you like this one?’ inquired Tom. �I bought it last week.’

�It’s a nice yellow one,’ said Wilson, as he strained at the handle.

�Like to buy it?’

�Big chance,’ Wilson smiled faintly.