Page 69 - The Great Gatsby

58 The Great Gatsby A hot day in town 59

They wenr upstairs to gct ready while we tluee men waited .Jordan, Tom and I got into Gatsby's car and Tom drove away
silently outside the front door. fast, into Lhe heavy heat.
'I don't see the point of going to town,' said Tom suddenly 'Did you see that?' demanded Tom.
and ficrccly. 'Women get rhese silly ideas in their heads-' 'See what?'
'Shall we take anything to drink?' called Daisy from an He looked ac us closely, realizing that Jordan and I must
upstairs window. have known, ali the time. 'You think I'm pretty dumb, don't
'I'll get sorne whisky,' said Tom, and went inside. you?' He paused, and went on, 'Well, I've been investigating
Gatsby rnrned ro me. 'I can't say anything in his house.' Lhis man and his past.'
'Her voicc gives away more than she realizes,' I said. 'It's full 'And you found he was an Oxford man,' said Jordan
of .. .' I hesita red. helpfully.
'Her voice is ful] of money,' he said suddenly. 'An Oxford man!' he laughed. 'He wears a pink suit!'
That was it. J'd never undersrood before. That was the 'Listen, Tom, if you think he's no good, why did you invite
endless magic that rose and fell in ic, che music of it ... High him to lunch?' demanded Jordan crossly.
in a white palace che king's daughter, che golden girl . . 'Daisy invited him. She knew him before we were married -
.
Tom carne out of the house wrapping a large bottle of Cod knows where!'
whisky in a rowel. Daisy and Jordan came out roo, wearing After that, we drove for a while in silence. Then as Doctor T.
small tight hacs. J Eckleburg's pale eyes came into sight, J remcmbercd Gatsby's
'Shall we al! go in my car?' suggested Gatsby. warning about the gasoline.
'No,' said Tom, 'you cake my coupé and let me drive yours.' 'We've got enough to get us into town,' said Torn sharply.
The suggescion was distasteful to Gatsby. 'I don't chink 'But there's a garage right here,' said Jordan.
rhere's much gas,' he protcsted. Tom braked impatiently, and we stopped under Wilson's
'lf nccessary, I can stop at a drug-store,' said Tom. He added dusty sign. After a rnoment che garage owner carne out and
unpleasantly, 'You can buy anything there these days.' stared, hollow-eyed, at the car.
A pause followed chis remark. Daisy frowned at Tom, and a 'Let's have sorne gas!' cried Tom roughly. 'What do you
strange expression passed over Gatsby's face. 1 hink we stopped for - to admire the view?'
'Come on, Daisy,' said Tom, pressing her with his hand 'l'm sick,' said Wilson without moving. 'Been sick all day.'
toward Gatsby's car. 'I'll cake you in chis crazy machine.' 'Well, shall I help myself?' Tom demanded. 'You sounded
He opened the door, but she moved out from the circlc of wcll enough 011 the phone.'
his arm. With difficulty Wilson left che sbade and support of the
'You cake Nick and Jordan. We'll follow in your car.' doorwa)' and, brearhing hard, started putting gasolinc in the
She walked close ro Gatsby, touching his coat with her hand. 1 :1r. In the sunlight bis face was green.