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

Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized at last what she was doing – and as though she had never, all along, intended doing anything at all. But it was done now. It was too late.

�I never loved him,’ she said, with perceptible reluctance.

�Not at Kapiolani[91 - Kapiolani – a resort area in Honolulu, the capital and the main port of Hawaii]?’ demanded Tom suddenly.

�No.’

From the ballroom beneath, muffled and suffocating chords were drifting up on hot waves of air.

�Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry?’ There was a husky tenderness in his tone… �Daisy?’

�Please don’t.’ Her voice was cold, but the rancour was gone from it. She looked at Gatsby. �There, Jay,’ she said – but her hand as she tried to light a cigarette was trembling. Suddenly she threw the cigarette and the burning match on the carpet.

�Oh, you want too much!’ she cried to Gatsby. �I love you now – isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past.

’ She began to sob helplessly. �I did love him once – but I loved you too.’

Gatsby’s eyes opened and closed.

�You loved me too?’ he repeated.

�Even that’s a lie,’ said Tom savagely. �She didn’t know you were alive. Why – there’s things between Daisy and me that you’ll never know, things that neither of us can ever forget.’

The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.

�I want to speak to Daisy alone,’ he insisted.

�She’s all excited now – ’

�Even alone I can’t say I never loved Tom,’ she admitted in a pitiful voice. �It wouldn’t be true.’

�Of course it wouldn’t,’ agreed Tom.

She turned to her husband.

�As if it mattered to you,’ she said.

�Of course it matters. I’m going to take better care of you from now on.’

�You don’t understand,’ said Gatsby, with a touch of panic. �You’re not going to take care of her anymore.’

�I’m not?’ Tom opened his eyes wide and laughed.

He could afford to control himself now. �Why’s that?’

�Daisy’s leaving you.’

�Nonsense.’

�I am, though,’ she said with a visible effort.

�She’s not leaving me!’ Tom’s words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. �Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.’

�I won’t stand this!’ cried Daisy. �Oh, please let’s get out.