Chapter 5

           WhenIcamehometoWestEggthatnightIwasafraidforamomentthatmyhousewasonfire.Twoo’clockandthewholecornerofthepeninsulawasblazingwithlight,whichfellunrealontheshrubberyandmadethinelongatingglintsupontheroadsidewires.Turningacorner,IsawthatitwasGatsby’shouse,litfromtowertocellar.

           AtfirstIthoughtitwasanotherparty,awildroutthathadresolveditselfinto"hide-and-go-seek"or"sardines-in-the-box"withallthehousethrownopentothegame.Buttherewasn’tasound.Onlywindinthetrees,whichblewthewiresandmadethelightsgooffandonagainasifthehousehadwinkedintothedarkness.AsmytaxigroanedawayIsawGatsbywalkingtowardmeacrosshislawn.

           "YourplacelooksliketheWorld’sFair,"Isaid.

           "Doesit?"Heturnedhiseyestowarditabsently."Ihavebeenglancingintosomeoftherooms.Let’sgotoConeyIsland,oldsport.Inmycar."

           "It’stoolate."

           "Well,supposewetakeaplungeintheswimming-pool?Ihaven’tmadeuseofitallsummer."

           "I’vegottogotobed."

           "Allright."

           Hewaited,lookingatmewithsuppressedeagerness.

           "ItalkedwithMissBaker,"Isaidafteramoment."I’mgoingtocallupDaisyto-morrowandinviteheroverheretotea."