Великий Гэтсби

           Hewastalkingintentlyacrossthetableather,andinhisearnestnesshishandhadfallenuponandcoveredherown.Onceinawhileshelookedupathimandnoddedinagreement.

           Theyweren’thappy,andneitherofthemhadtouchedthechickenortheale—andyettheyweren’tunhappyeither.Therewasanunmistakableairofnaturalintimacyaboutthepicture,andanybodywouldhavesaidthattheywereconspiringtogether.

           AsItiptoedfromtheporchIheardmytaxifeelingitswayalongthedarkroadtowardthehouse.GatsbywaswaitingwhereIhadlefthiminthedrive.

           "Isitallquietupthere?"heaskedanxiously.

           "Yes,it’sallquiet."Ihesitated."You’dbettercomehomeandgetsomesleep."

           Heshookhishead.

           "IwanttowaitheretillDaisygoestobed.Goodnight,oldsport."

           Heputhishandsinhiscoatpocketsandturnedbackeagerlytohisscrutinyofthehouse,asthoughmypresencemarredthesacrednessofthevigil.SoIwalkedawayandlefthimstandingthereinthemoonlight—watchingovernothing.