Великий Гэтсби

           "Notexactly."

           "Oh,yes,IunderstandyouwenttoOxford."

           "Yes—Iwentthere."

           Apause.ThenTom’svoice,incredulousandinsulting:"YoumusthavegonethereaboutthetimeBiloxiwenttoNewHaven."

           Anotherpause.Awaiterknockedandcameinwithcrushedmintandicebut,thesilencewasunbrokenbyhis"thankyou"andthesoftclosingofthedoor.Thistremendousdetailwastobeclearedupatlast.

           "ItoldyouIwentthere,"saidGatsby.

           "Iheardyou,butI’dliketoknowwhen."

           "Itwasinnineteen-nineteen,Ionlystayedfivemonths.That’swhyIcan’treallycallmyselfanOxfordman."

           Tomglancedaroundtoseeifwemirroredhisunbelief.ButwewerealllookingatGatsby.

           "ItwasanopportunitytheygavetosomeoftheofficersaftertheArmistice,"hecontinued."WecouldgotoanyoftheuniversitiesinEnglandorFrance."

           Iwantedtogetupandslaphimontheback.IhadoneofthoserenewalsofcompletefaithinhimthatI’dexperiencedbefore.

           Daisyrose,smilingfaintly,andwenttothetable.

           "Openthewhiskey,Tom,"sheordered,"andI’llmakeyouamintjulep.Thenyouwon’tseemsostupidtoyourself....Lookatthemint!"