Kitabı oku: «The Great Gatsby. B2 / Великий Гэтсби», sayfa 2

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“That's why I came over tonight,” I joked.

She explained that thebutler had once worked for a wealthy New York family until the work ruined his nose, forcing him to quit. As she spoke, the butler whispered something to Tom, who frowned and left the table without saying a word. Daisy excused herself.

I was about to speak to Miss Baker when she suddenly whispered, “Shh! Don't talk. I want to hear what happens.”

“Is something happening?” I asked innocently.

“Don't you know?” she said, surprised. “I thought everyone knew. Tom's got some woman in New York. And she doesn't have enough decency not to call him during dinner.”

Before I could fully understand the meaning, Tom and Daisy returned. Daisy sat down,tense but trying to appear cheerful. She mentioned something romantic about a bird singing on the lawn, but Tom seemed uninterested. The telephone rang again, disrupting the conversation. Daisy shook her head at Tom. I wanted to look at everyone but also avoid all eyes. I couldn't tell what Daisy and Tom were thinking, but even Miss Baker seemed unable to ignore the fifth guest.

Tom and Miss Bakerwandered back to the library, while I followed Daisy to the front porch.

“We don't know each other very well, Nick,” Daisy said suddenly. “Even if we are cousins. You didn't come to my wedding.”

“I wasn't back from the war.”

“That's true.” She hesitated, then added, “Well, I've had a very bad time, Nick, and I'm pretty cynical about everything.”

She told me that after she had a baby, the nurse said it was a girl, and Daisy cried.

“I'm glad it's a girl,” she said. “And I hope she'll a beautiful little fool.”

Inside, Tom and Miss Baker were sitting on the couch, and she was reading aloud from a magazine. When we entered, she paused for a moment and then stood up.

“It's ten o'clock,” she noted. “Time for me to go to bed.”

“Jordan's playing in a tournament tomorrow,” Daisy explained.

I realized who she was, remembering her face from many pictures of the sporting life.

“Good night,” she said softly before leaving the room.

As I was starting my car, Daisy called out, “Wait! I forgot to ask you something important. We heard you were getting married.”

“It's not true,” Idenied. “I'm too poor.”

I didn't explain any further. They didn't need to know the full story, just as I had no intention of clearing up therumor. I had expected Daisy to call me to meet her child. Surprisingly, that did not happen.