Великий Гэтсби

           "Thingswentfrombadtoworse,"suggestedMissBaker.

           "Yes.Thingswentfrombadtoworse,untilfinallyhehadtogiveuphisposition."

           Foramomentthelastsunshinefellwithromanticaffectionuponherglowingface;hervoicecompelledmeforwardbreathlesslyasIlistened—thentheglowfaded,eachlightdesertingherwithlingeringregret,likechildrenleavingapleasantstreetatdusk.

           ThebutlercamebackandmurmuredsomethingclosetoTom’sear,whereuponTomfrowned,pushedbackhischair,andwithoutawordwentinside.Asifhisabsencequickenedsomethingwithinher,Daisyleanedforwardagain,hervoiceglowingandsinging.

           "Ilovetoseeyouatmytable,Nick.Youremindmeofa—ofarose,anabsoluterose.Doesn’the?"SheturnedtoMissBakerforconfirmation:"Anabsoluterose?"

           Thiswasuntrue.Iamnotevenfaintlylikearose.Shewasonlyextemporizing,butastirringwarmthflowedfromher,asifherheartwastryingtocomeouttoyouconcealedinoneofthosebreathless,thrillingwords.Thensuddenlyshethrewhernapkinonthetableandexcusedherselfandwentintothehouse.

           MissBakerandIexchangedashortglanceconsciouslydevoidofmeaning.Iwasabouttospeakwhenshesatupalertlyandsaid"Sh!"inawarningvoice.Asubduedimpassionedmurmurwasaudibleintheroombeyond,andMissBakerleanedforwardunashamed,tryingtohear.Themurmurtrembledonthevergeofcoherence,sankdown,mountedexcitedly,andthenceasedaltogether.