The Great Gatsby. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Уровень B1

«Can’t you talk about crops or something?»

I meant nothing in particular by this remark, but it was taken up in an unexpected way.

«Civilization’s going to pieces», said Tom. «I am a terrible pessimist about things now. Have you read �The Rise of the Colored Empires’ by Goddard?»

В«Why, noВ», I answered, rather surprised by his tone.

«Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will disappear. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved».

«Tom’s getting very thoughtful», said Daisy sadly. «He reads deep books with long words in them».

«Well, these books are all scientific», insisted Tom, glancing at her impatiently. «It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things».

«We’ve got to beat them down», whispered Daisy.

«You ought to live in California…» began Miss Baker, but Tom interrupted her by shifting heavily in his chair.

«This idea is that we’re Nordics. I am, and you are, and you are, and…» After some hesitation he included Daisy with a slight nod, and she winked at me. «– And we’ve produced all the things that go to make civilization – oh, science and art, and all that. Do you see?»

There was something pathetic in his concentration. Then, almost immediately, the telephone rang inside and the butler left the porch.

Soon the butler came back and murmured something close to Tom’s ear.

Suddenly Daisy threw her napkin on the table and excused herself and went into the house.

Miss Baker and I exchanged a short glance. I was about to speak when she sat up alertly and said В«Sh!В» in a warning voice. A subdued passionate murmur was clear in the room beyond, and Miss Baker leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear.

В«This Mr. Gatsby is my neighborВ», I said.

«Don’t talk. I want to hear what happens».

В«Is something happening?В» I said innocently.

«You mean to say you don’t know?» said Miss Baker, honestly surprised. «I thought everybody knew».

«I don’t».

«Why…» she said hesitantly, «Tom’s got some woman in New York».

В«Got some woman?В» I repeated.

Miss Baker nodded.

«She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinner time. Don’t you think?»

Almost at once Tom and Daisy were back at the table.