Великий Гэтсби
Chapter 3
MostofthetimeIworked.IntheearlymorningthesunthrewmyshadowwestwardasIhurrieddownthewhitechasmsoflowerNewYorktotheProbityTrust.Iknewtheotherclerksandyoungbond-salesmenbytheirfirstnames,andlunchedwiththemindark,crowdedrestaurantsonlittlepigsausagesandmashedpotatoesandcoffee.IevenhadashortaffairwithagirlwholivedinJerseyCityandworkedintheaccountingdepartment,butherbrotherbeganthrowingmeanlooksinmydirection,sowhenshewentonhervacationinJulyIletitblowquietlyaway.
ItookdinnerusuallyattheYaleClub—forsomereasonitwasthegloomiesteventofmyday—andthenIwentup-stairstothelibraryandstudiedinvestmentsandsecuritiesforaconscientioushour.Thereweregenerallyafewriotersaround,buttheynevercameintothelibrary,soitwasagoodplacetowork.Afterthat,ifthenightwasmellow,IstrolleddownMadisonAvenuepasttheoldMurrayHillHotel,andover33rdStreettothePennsylvaniaStation.
IbegantolikeNewYork,theracy,adventurousfeelofitatnight,andthesatisfactionthattheconstantflickerofmenandwomenandmachinesgivestotherestlesseye.IlikedtowalkupFifthAvenueandpickoutromanticwomenfromthecrowdandimaginethatinafewminutesIwasgoingtoenterintotheirlives,andnoonewouldeverknowordisapprove.Sometimes,inmymind,Ifollowedthemtotheirapartmentsonthecornersofhiddenstreets,andtheyturnedandsmiledbackatmebeforetheyfadedthroughadoorintowarmdarkness.AttheenchantedmetropolitantwilightIfeltahauntinglonelinesssometimes,andfeltitinothers—pooryoungclerkswholoiteredinfrontofwindowswaitinguntilitwastimeforasolitaryrestaurantdinner—youngclerksinthedusk,wastingthemostpoignantmomentsofnightandlife.
