Великий Гэтсби

           Theraincooledabouthalf-pastthreetoadampmist,throughwhichoccasionalthindropsswamlikedew.GatsbylookedwithvacanteyesthroughacopyofClay’sEconomics,startingattheFinnishtreadthatshookthekitchenfloor,andpeeringtowardtheblearedwindowsfromtimetotimeasifaseriesofinvisiblebutalarminghappeningsweretakingplaceoutside.Finallyhegotupandinformedme,inanuncertainvoice,thathewasgoinghome.

           "Why’sthat?"

           "Nobody’scomingtotea.It’stoolate!"Helookedathiswatchasiftherewassomepressingdemandonhistimeelsewhere."Ican’twaitallday."

           "Don’tbesilly;it’sjusttwominutestofour."

           Hesatdownmiserably,asifIhadpushedhim,andsimultaneouslytherewasthesoundofamotorturningintomylane.Webothjumpedup,and,alittleharrowedmyself,Iwentoutintotheyard.

           Underthedrippingbarelilac-treesalargeopencarwascomingupthedrive.Itstopped.Daisy’sface,tippedsidewaysbeneathathree-corneredlavenderhat,lookedoutatmewithabrightecstaticsmile.

           "Isthisabsolutelywhereyoulive,mydearestone?"

           Theexhilaratingrippleofhervoicewasawildtonicintherain.Ihadtofollowthesoundofitforamoment,upanddown,withmyearalone,beforeanywordscamethrough.Adampstreakofhairlaylikeadashofbluepaintacrosshercheek,andherhandwaswetwithglisteningdropsasItookittohelpherfromthecar.