Великий Гэтсби

           Shewasdressedtoplaygolf,andIrememberthinkingshelookedlikeagoodillustration,herchinraisedalittlejauntily,herhairthecolorofanautumnleaf,herfacethesamebrowntintasthefingerlessgloveonherknee.WhenIhadfinishedshetoldmewithoutcommentthatshewasengagedtoanotherman.Idoubtedthat,thoughtherewereseveralshecouldhavemarriedatanodofherhead,butIpretendedtobesurprised.ForjustaminuteIwonderedifIwasn’tmakingamistake,thenIthoughtitalloveragainquicklyandgotuptosaygood-bye.

           "Neverthelessyoudidthrowmeover,"saidJordansuddenly."Youthrewmeoveronthetelephone.Idon’tgiveadamnaboutyounow,butitwasanewexperienceforme,andIfeltalittledizzyforawhile."

           Weshookhands.

           "Oh,anddoyouremember."—sheadded——"aconversationwehadonceaboutdrivingacar?"

           "Why—notexactly."

           "Yousaidabaddriverwasonlysafeuntilshemetanotherbaddriver?Well,Imetanotherbaddriver,didn’tI?Imeanitwascarelessofmetomakesuchawrongguess.Ithoughtyouwereratheranhonest,straightforwardperson.Ithoughtitwasyoursecretpride."

           "I’mthirty,"Isaid."I’mfiveyearstoooldtolietomyselfandcallithonor."

           Shedidn’tanswer.Angry,andhalfinlovewithher,andtremendouslysorry,Iturnedaway.