Великий Гэтсби
Chapter 2
Shecameinwithsuchaproprietaryhaste,andlookedaroundsopossessivelyatthefurniturethatIwonderedifshelivedhere.ButwhenIaskedhershelaughedimmoderately,repeatedmyquestionaloud,andtoldmeshelivedwithagirlfriendatahotel.
Mr.McKeewasapale,femininemanfromtheflatbelow.Hehadjustshaved,fortherewasawhitespotoflatheronhischeekbone,andhewasmostrespectfulinhisgreetingtoeveryoneintheroom.Heinformedmethathewasinthe"artisticgame,"andIgatheredlaterthathewasaphotographerandhadmadethedimenlargementofMrs.Wilson’smotherwhichhoveredlikeanectoplasmonthewall.Hiswifewasshrill,languid,handsome,andhorrible.Shetoldmewithpridethatherhusbandhadphotographedherahundredandtwenty-seventimessincetheyhadbeenmarried.
Mrs.Wilsonhadchangedhercostumesometimebefore,andwasnowattiredinanelaborateafternoondressofcream-coloredchiffon,whichgaveoutacontinualrustleasshesweptabouttheroom.Withtheinfluenceofthedressherpersonalityhadalsoundergoneachange.Theintensevitalitythathadbeensoremarkableinthegaragewasconvertedintoimpressivehauteur.Herlaughter,hergestures,herassertionsbecamemoreviolentlyaffectedmomentbymoment,andassheexpandedtheroomgrewsmalleraroundher,untilsheseemedtoberevolvingonanoisy,creakingpivotthroughthesmokyair.
"Mydear,"shetoldhersisterinahigh,mincingshout,"mostofthesefellaswillcheatyoueverytime.Alltheythinkofismoney.Ihadawomanupherelastweektolookatmyfeet,andwhenshegavemethebillyou’dofthoughtshehadmyappendicitisout."
"Whatwasthenameofthewoman?"askedMrs.McKee.
