Великий Гэтсби

           Hewassoharduphehadtokeeponwearinghisuniformbecausehecouldn’tbuysomeregularclothes.FirsttimeIsawhimwaswhenhecomeintoWinebrenner’spoolroomatForty-thirdStreetandaskedforajob.Hehadn’teatanythingforacoupleofdays.‘comeonhavesomelunchwithme,’Isid.Heatemorethanfourdollars’worthoffoodinhalfanhour."

           "Didyoustarthiminbusiness?"Iinquired.

           "Starthim!Imadehim."

           "Oh."

           "Iraisedhimupoutofnothing,rightoutofthegutter.Isawrightawayhewasafine-appearing,gentlemanlyyoungman,andwhenhetoldmehewasatOggsfordIknewIcouldusehimgood.IgothimtojoinupintheAmericanLegionandheusedtostandhighthere.RightoffhedidsomeworkforaclientofmineuptoAlbany.Weweresothicklikethatineverything."—hehelduptwobulbousfingers——"alwaystogether."

           IwonderedifthispartnershiphadincludedtheWorld’sSeriestransactionin1919.

           "Nowhe’sdead,"Isaidafteramoment."Youwerehisclosestfriend,soIknowyou’llwanttocometohisfuneralthisafternoon."

           "I’dliketocome."

           "Well,comethen."

           Thehairinhisnostrilsquiveredslightly,andasheshookhisheadhiseyesfilledwithtears.