Великий Гэтсби
Chapter 3
Thelastswimmershavecomeinfromthebeachnowandaredressingup-stairs;thecarsfromNewYorkareparkedfivedeepinthedrive,andalreadythehallsandsalonsandverandasaregaudywithprimarycolors,andhairshorninstrangenewways,andshawlsbeyondthedreamsofCastile.Thebarisinfullswing,andfloatingroundsofcocktailspermeatethegardenoutside,untiltheairisalivewithchatterandlaughter,andcasualinnuendoandintroductionsforgottenonthespot,andenthusiasticmeetingsbetweenwomenwhoneverkneweachother’snames.
Thelightsgrowbrighterastheearthlurchesawayfromthesun,andnowtheorchestraisplayingyellowcocktailmusic,andtheoperaofvoicespitchesakeyhigher.Laughteriseasierminutebyminute,spilledwithprodigality,tippedoutatacheerfulword.Thegroupschangemoreswiftly,swellwithnewarrivals,dissolveandforminthesamebreath;alreadytherearewanderers,confidentgirlswhoweavehereandthereamongthestouterandmorestable,becomeforasharp,joyousmomentthecentreofagroup,andthen,excitedwithtriumph,glideonthroughthesea-changeoffacesandvoicesandcolorundertheconstantlychanginglight.
Suddenlyoneofthegypsies,intremblingopal,seizesacocktailoutoftheair,dumpsitdownforcourageand,movingherhandslikeFrisco,dancesoutaloneonthecanvasplatform.Amomentaryhush;theorchestraleadervarieshisrhythmobliginglyforher,andthereisaburstofchatterastheerroneousnewsgoesaroundthatsheisGildaGray’sunderstudyfromtheFollies.Thepartyhasbegun.
IbelievethatonthefirstnightIwenttoGatsby’shouseIwasoneofthefewguestswhohadactuallybeeninvited.Peoplewerenotinvited—theywentthere.TheygotintoautomobileswhichborethemouttoLongIsland,andsomehowtheyendedupatGatsby’sdoor.
