Великий Гэтсби

           Hewentoutoftheroomcalling"Ewing!"andreturnedinafewminutesaccompaniedbyanembarrassed,slightlywornyoungman,withshell-rimmedglassesandscantyblondhair.Hewasnowdecentlyclothedina"sportshirt,"openattheneck,sneakers,andducktrousersofanebuloushue.

           "Didweinterruptyourexercises?"inquiredDaisypolitely.

           "Iwasasleep,"criedMr.Klipspringer,inaspasmofembarrassment."Thatis,I’dbeenasleep.ThenIgotup...."

           "Klipspringerplaysthepiano,"saidGatsby,cuttinghimoff."Don’tyou,Ewing,oldsport?"

           "Idon’tplaywell.Idon’t—Ihardlyplayatall.I’malloutofprac——"

           "We’llgodown-stairs,"interruptedGatsby.Heflippedaswitch.Thegraywindowsdisappearedasthehouseglowedfulloflight.

           Inthemusic-roomGatsbyturnedonasolitarylampbesidethepiano.HelitDaisy’scigarettefromatremblingmatch,andsatdownwithheronacouchfaracrosstheroom,wheretherewasnolightsavewhatthegleamingfloorbouncedinfromthehall.

           WhenKlipspringerhadplayedTheLoveNest,heturnedaroundonthebenchandsearchedunhappilyforGatsbyinthegloom.

           "I’malloutofpractice,yousee.ItoldyouIcouldn’tplay.I’malloutofprac——"

           "Don’ttalksomuch,oldsport,"commandedGatsby."Play!"