Page 66 - The Great Gatsby

56 The Great Gatsby A hot day in town 57

'It's so hot, we can't move,' they said together. 'Where's Daddy?'
We could hcar Tom's voice, spcaking on rhe hall phonc. 'She doesn't look like her father,' Daisy explained to us. 'She
Gatsby stood in che center of the red carpet and looked around looks like me. Goodbye, my dearest one!'
with great interest. Daisy watched hirn.and laughed her sweet, The nurse took the child's hand and they left the room, just
cxciting laugh. as Tom carne back, carrying four large cocktails.
'We think,' whispered Jordan, 'that that's T o m's girl on the We drank in long, greedy swallows. There was a little
telephone.' conversation, but the heat was making us all tired. Lunch was
The voice in the hall rose high with annoyancc. in the dining room, which was also darkened against the heat.
'Very well, then, I won't sell you the car ar ali. And don't 'What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon?' cried Daisy,
bother me ar lunch-time again, do you understand?' 'And the day after that, and the next thirty years?'
'He's got his hand over the phone,' said Daisy bitterly. 'Don't be sad,' Jordan said. 'Life starts ali over again when
'No, he hasn't,' I said. 'He's doing business with this man. I it gets cold in the autumn.'
happen to know about ir.' 'But it's so hot,' insisted Daisy, on the edge of tears, 'and
Tom carne in. Hiding his dislike, he greeted Gatsby, and everything's so confused. Let's ali go to town!'
after shaking hands with me, went out again to get some drinks. Gatsby's eyes turned toward her.
As he left the room, Daisy got up and went over to Gatsby. She 'Ah,' she cried, 'you look so cool!'
pulled his face clown and kissed him on the mouth. Their eyes mee, and thcy srarecl at each other. No onc clse
'You know l love you,' she 111urmured. existed for thern in that moment - thcy were alone.
'You forget there's a lady prcsent,' said Jordan. 'You always look so cool,' she repeated.
Daisy looked round doubtfully. 'You kiss Nick too.' She had tole! him she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He
'What a low, coarse girl you are!' couldn't believe ir. His mouth dropped open, and he looked at
'I don't care!' cried Daisy, and danced a few steps. Thcn, Gatsby and then back at Daisy.
remembering the heat, she sat clown guiltily, just as a nurse 'Ali right,' he said. 'I'm perfectly willing to go to town.' He
came into rhe room with a littlc girl. got up, his eyes still 011 his wife and Gatsb y. No one moved.
'My dearest !ove!' Daisy almost sang, while holding out her 'Come on!' he said angrily. 'Tf wc'rc going, let's start.'
'Are we just going to go like this?' said Daisy. 'Aren't we
arms. 'Come to your own mother who !oves you 1 '
The child rushed across the room into Daisy's arms. Gatsby going to !et anyone smoke a cigarette first?'
was looking at the little girl in surprise; I don't think he had 'Everybody smoked ali through lunch.'
ever rea lly believed she existed. 'Let's have fun,' she begged him. 'It's too hot to get cross.'
'How do you like Mother's friends?' Daisy turned her around He didn't answer.
to look straight at Gatsby. 'Do you think they're pretty?' 'Have it your own way,' she said. 'Come on, Jordan.'