Page 81 - The Great Gatsby

70 The Creat Catsby A hot day in town 71

At the Buchanans' house there ,vere lights on in an upstairs 'Was Daisy driving?'
bedroom. A change had come over Tom, and he spoke 'Yes,' he said afcer a moment, 'but of course I'll say I was.
seriously and with dccision. You sce, when we left New York, she was very nervous and
'Daisy's home,' he said. 'There's nothing we can do tonight. thought she'd feel better if she was driving. Then suddenly chis
Nick, I'll phonc for a taxi for you. Come in and have some woman rushed out - ir seemed to me that shc wanted to speak
supper with Jordan - if you want any.' to us. lt ali happened so fast. I tricd to make Daisy stop, but she
'No, thanks. I'll wait ourside for the taxi.' couldn't. Any way, I'm going to wait here and see if Tom tries
Jordan put her hand on my arm. 'Won't you come in, Nick? to bother her abour that unpleasantness this afternoon. Sbe's
lt's only half-past nine.' locked herself inro her room, and if he becomes violcnr, she's
J'd had enough of ali of them for onc day, and suddenly that going to turn rhe light out and on again.'
included Jordan too. She must have see something of chis in my 'He won't touch her,' I said. 'He's not thinking about her.'
expression, beca use she turned and ran up che porch steps into 'I want to be surc, old sport.'
the house. I walked slowly away from the front door. A new thought carne to me. Suppose Tom found out that
Befare I got to the gate, however, I heard my name called, Daisy had been driving. He might think .. . anything.
and Garsby stepped out of the bushes into che path. 'You wait here,' I said. 'I'll see if there's any sign of trouble.'
'What are you doing?' I asked. 1 walked back to the house, and saw a light in the kitchen.
'Just standing here, old sport.' Then he askcd, 'Did you see Daisy and Tom were sitting at the table, with a piare of cold
any trouble on che road ?' chicken betwcen them, and two bottles of beer. He was ralking
T
'Yes.' scriously to her, and his hand covered hers on the rabie. h ey
He hesitated. 'Was she killed?' weren't happy, and neirher of them had rouched the chicken
'Yes.' or thc beer, but they weren't unhappy either. There was a
'l raid Daisy I rhought so. lt's better that the shock should closeness about rhem that looked very natural.
come ali at once. She took it very well.' He added, 'l don't 'Is ir ali quier up rhere?' Garsby askcd anxiously when I
think anybody saw us, but of course I can't be sure.' returned to where I had lcft him.
l disliked him so much by chis time that I didn't find ir 'Yes. You'd better come home and get some slcep.'
necessary to tell him he was wrong. He shook his head. 'I want to wait till Daisy goes to bed.
'Who was the woman?' he asked. Good night, old sport.'
'Her name was Myrtle Wilson. Her husband owns the He put his hands in his coat pockers and rurned back eagerly
garage. How the devil did it happen?' to watch the house. I felt he did not want me there. So I walked
'Well, 1 tried to turn the wheel-' He stopped, and suddenly away and left him standing there in rhe moonlight - watching
I guessed at the truth. over nothing.