Великий Гэтсби

           Themoonhadrisenhigher,andfloatingintheSoundwasatriangleofsilverscales,tremblingalittletothestiff,tinnydripofthebanjoesonthelawn.

           IwasstillwithJordanBaker.Weweresittingatatablewithamanofaboutmyageandarowdylittlegirl,whogavewayupontheslightestprovocationtouncontrollablelaughter.Iwasenjoyingmyselfnow.Ihadtakentwofinger-bowlsofchampagne,andthescenehadchangedbeforemyeyesintosomethingsignificant,elemental,andprofound.

           Atalullintheentertainmentthemanlookedatmeandsmiled.

           "Yourfaceisfamiliar,"hesaid,politely."Weren’tyouintheThirdDivisionduringthewar?"

           "Why,yes.IwasintheNinthMachine-gunBattalion."

           "IwasintheSeventhInfantryuntilJunenineteen-eighteen.IknewI’dseenyousomewherebefore."

           Wetalkedforamomentaboutsomewet,graylittlevillagesinFrance.Evidentlyhelivedinthisvicinity,forhetoldmethathehadjustboughtahydroplane,andwasgoingtotryitoutinthemorning.

           "Wanttogowithme,oldsport?JustneartheshorealongtheSound."

           "Whattime?"

           "Anytimethatsuitsyoubest."

           ItwasonthetipofmytonguetoaskhisnamewhenJordanlookedaroundandsmiled.

           "Havingagaytimenow?"sheinquired.