Великий Гэтсби / The Great Gatsby

What was that word we –’

�Well, these books are all scientific,’ unthoughtful sadness Tom, glancing at her impatiently. �This fellow has worked out the whole thing. 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, winking ferociously toward the fervent sun.

�You ought to live in California –’ began Miss Baker, but Tom interrupted her by shifting heavily in his chair.

вЂ?This idea is that we’re Nordics[21 - Nordics, the Nordic race – нордическая раса, североевропейские народы, населяющие Скандинавию, Финляндию Рё Р?сландию; для нордического физического типа характерны высокий СЂРѕСЃС‚, светлые волосы Рё могучее телосложение]. I am, and you are, and you are, and –’ After an infinitesimal hesitation he included Daisy with a slight nod, and she winked at me again.

There was something pathetic in his concentration, as if his complacency, more acute than of old, was not enough to him anymore. When, almost immediately, the telephone rang inside and the butler left the porch Daisy seized upon the momentary interruption and leaned toward me.

�I’ll tell you a family secret,’ she whispered enthusiastically. �It’s about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s nose?’

�That’s why I came over to-night.’

�Well, he wasn’t always a butler; he used to be the silver polisher for some people in New York that had a silver service for two hundred people. He had to polish it from morning till night, until finally it began to affect his nose –’

�Things went from bad to worse,’ suggested Miss Baker.

�Yes. Things went from bad to worse, until finally he had to give up his position.’

For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face; her voice compelled me forward breathlessly as I listened – then the glow faded, each light deserting her with lingering regret, like children leaving a pleasant street at dusk.