Youve got to pull yourself together, he said with soothing gruffness.
Wilsons eyes fell upon Tom; he started up on his tiptoes and then would have collapsed to his knees had not Tom held him upright.
Listen, said Tom, shaking him a little. I just got here a minute ago, from New York. I was bringing you that coupe weve been talking about. That yellow car I was driving this afternoon wasnt mine do you hear? I havent seen it all afternoon.
Only the negro and I were near enough to hear what he said, but the policeman caught something in the tone and looked over with truculent eyes.
Whats all that? he demanded.
Im a friend of his. Tom turned his head but kept his hands firm on Wilsons body. He says he knows the car that did it It was a yellow car.
Some dim impulse moved the policeman to look suspiciously at Tom.
And what colours your car?
Its a blue car, a coupe.
Weve come straight from New York, I said.
Someone who had been driving a little behind us confirmed this, and the policeman turned away.
Now, if youll let me have that name again correct Picking up Wilson like a doll, Tom carried him into the office, set him down in a chair, and came back.
If somebodyll come here and sit with him, he snapped authoritatively. He watched while the two men standing closest glanced at each other and went unwillingly into the room. Then Tom shut the door on them and came down the single step, his eyes avoiding the table. As he passed close to me he whispered: Lets get out.
Self-consciously, with his authoritative arms breaking the way, we pushed through the still gathering crowd, passing a hurried doctor, case in hand, who had been sent for in wild hope half an hour ago.
Tom drove slowly until we were beyond the bend then his foot came down hard, and the coupe raced along through the night. In a little while I heard a low husky sob, and saw that the tears were overflowing down his face.
The God damned coward! he whimpered. He didnt even stop his car.
* * *The Buchanans house floated suddenly toward us through the dark rustling trees. Tom stopped beside the porch and looked up at the second floor, where two windows bloomed with light among the vines.
Daisys home, he said. As we got out of the car he glanced at me and frowned slightly.
I ought to have dropped you in West Egg, Nick. Theres nothing we can do tonight.
A change had come over him, and he spoke gravely, and with decision. As we walked across the moonlight gravel to the porch he disposed of the situation in a few brisk phrases.
Ill telephone for a taxi to take you home, and while youre waiting you and Jordan better go in the kitchen and have them get you some supper if you want any. He opened the door. Come in.
No, thanks. But Id be glad if youd order me the taxi. Ill wait outside.
Jordan put her hand on my arm.
Wont you come in, Nick?
No, thanks.
I was feeling a little sick and I wanted to be alone. But Jordan lingered for a moment more.
Its only half-past nine, she said.
Id be damned if Id go in; Id had enough of all of them for one day, and suddenly that included Jordan too. She must have seen something of this in my expression, for she turned abruptly away and ran up the porch steps into the house. I sat down for a few minutes with my head in my hands, until I heard the phone taken up inside and the butlers voice calling a taxi. Then I walked slowly down the drive away from the house, intending to wait by the gate.
I hadnt gone twenty yards when I heard my name and Gatsby stepped from between two bushes into the path. I must have felt pretty weird by that time, because I could think of nothing except the luminosity of his pink suit under the moon.
I hadnt gone twenty yards when I heard my name and Gatsby stepped from between two bushes into the path. I must have felt pretty weird by that time, because I could think of nothing except the luminosity of his pink suit under the moon.
What are you doing? I inquired.
Just standing here, old sport.
Somehow, that seemed a despicable occupation. For all I knew he was going to rob the house in a moment; I wouldnt have been surprised to see sinister faces, the faces of Wolfshiems people, behind him in the dark shrubbery.
Did you see any trouble on the road? he asked after a minute.
Yes.
He hesitated.
Was she killed?
Yes.
I thought so; I told Daisy I thought so. Its better that the shock should all come at once. She stood it pretty well.
He spoke as if Daisys reaction was the only thing that mattered.
I got to West Egg by a side road, he went on, and left the car in my garage. I dont think anybody saw us, but of course I cant be sure.
I disliked him so much by this time that I didnt find it necessary to tell him he was wrong.
Who was the woman? he inquired.
Her name was Wilson. Her husband owns the garage. How the devil did it happen?
Well, I tried to swing the wheel He broke off, and suddenly I guessed at the truth.
Was Daisy driving?
Yes, he said after a moment, but of course Ill say I was. You see, when we left New York she was very nervous and she thought it would steady her to drive and this woman rushed out at us just as we were passing a car coming the other way. It all happened in a minute, but it seemed to me that she wanted to speak to us, thought we were somebody she knew. Well, first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back. The second my hand reached the wheel I felt the shock it must have killed her instantly.