Page 47 - The Great Gatsby

36 The Creat Gatsby 37

invite her to your housc one afternoon and let him come over.' CHAPTER 5
Ir was so little to ask. He had waited five years and bought a
mansion - so that he could 'come over' to a stranger's garden. GATSBY AND DAISY MEET AQAIN
'Why didn't he ask you to arrange a meeting?'
'He wants her to sce his house, and you live right next door.' "\ A Then l carne home to West Egg that night, I was afraid
lt was dark now, and I put my arm round Jordan's golden V V for a moment that my house was on fire. Two o'clock
shoulder and drew her toward me. Suddenly I wasn't thinking in the morning, and the whole of the coastline seemed to be in
of Daisy and Gatsby any more, but of this clcan, hard, limited ílames. Turning a corner, l saw that it was Gatsby's house, lit
person, who believed in nothing and who sat confidently from towcr to cellar.
within the circle of my arm. At first l thought it was another party. But there wasn't a
'And Daisy ought to have something in her lifc,' she added. sound, only wind in the crees. As my taxi drove away, l saw
'Does she wanc to see Gatsby ?' Gatsby walking toward me aeross his lawn .
'He doesn't want her to know abouc this. You're just 'Every light in your house must be on,' I said.
supposed to invite her to tea.' He turned his eyes toward it absently. 'l've been looking into
We passcd a line of dark trees, and then the lights of Fifty­ sorne of thc rooms. let's go for a drive, old sport.'
ninch Screet shone clown into the park. Unlike Gatsby and 'lt's too late.'
Tom Buchanan, I had 110 girl to dream about, so I drew up the 'Ali right.' He waited, trying to hide his eagerness.
girl beside me, tightening my arms. Her pale, scornful mouth 'I talked with Miss Baker,' I said after a moment. 'I'm going
smiled, and so I drew her up again closer, this time to my face. ro cal! up Daisy tomorrow and invite her over here to tea.'
'Oh, I don't want to put you to any trouble,' he said.
'What day would suit you?' I asked.
'What day would suit you?' he corrected me quickl y.
'How about the day after tomorrow?'
He hesitated. 'I want to get the grass cut,' he said.
suspected that he meant my umidy lawn. 'There's another
thing,' he added unccrtainl y. 'You don't make much money,
old sport, do you?'
'Not very much.'
He went on more confidently, 'You see, I carry on a little
business. l think it would interest you. lt wouldn't take up
much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money.'