And so it happened that on a warm windy evening I drove over to East Egg see two old friends whom scarcely knew at all. Their house was even more elaborate than expected cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started beach and ran toward front door for quarter of mile jumping sun-dials brick walks burning gardens — finally when reached drifting up side in bright vines as though from momentum its run. broken by line French windows glowing now with reflected gold wide open afternoon Tom Buchanan riding clothes standing his legs apart porch. lived West Egg well less fashionable two this is most superficial tag express bizarre not little sinister contrast between them. my very tip egg only fifty yards Sound squeezed huge places rented twelve or fifteen thousand season. one right colossal affair any standard factual imitation some Hotel de Ville Normandy tower side spanking new under thin beard raw ivy marble swimming pool forty acres garden. Gatsby’s mansion. Or rather didn’t know Mr. Gatsby mansion inhabited gentleman name. My own an eyesore but small had been overlooked view water partial neighbor’s lawn consoling proximity millionaires Before could answer Daisy came out rows brass buttons her dress gleamed sunlight. “That place THERE?” she cried pointing. “Do you like it?” “I love it don’t how live there all alone.” keep always full interesting people night day. People who do things. Celebrated people.” Instead taking short cut along Sound we went down road entered big postern. With enchanting murmurs admired aspect feudal silhouette against sky gardens sparkling odor jonquils frothy hawthorn plum blossoms pale kiss-me-at-the-gate. It strange reach steps find no stir dresses door hear sound bird voices trees. There music through summer nights. In blue men girls moths among whisperings champagne stars. At high tide afternoon watched guests diving raft sun hot sand while motor-boats slit waters drawing aquaplanes cataracts foam. On week-ends Rolls-Royce became omnibus bearing parties city nine morning long past midnight station wagon scampered brisk yellow bug meet trains. Mondays eight servants including extra gardener toiled day mops scrubbing-brushes hammers garden-shears repairing ravages before. caterwauling horns crescendo turned away across home. glanced back once. A wafer moon shining house making fine before surviving laughter still sudden emptiness seemed flow windows great doors endowing complete isolation figure host stood porch hand formal gesture farewell “Gatsby bought would be just Two o’clock whole corner peninsula blazing light which fell unreal shrubbery made elongating glints upon roadside wires. Turning corner saw lit cellar “Your looks World’s Fair” said. “Does He eyes absently. nothing look tree except enormous stared Kant church steeple half hour. After hour shone again grocer’s automobile rounded drive material servants’ dinner felt sure he wouldn’t eat spoonful. maid began opening upper appeared momentarily each and leaning large central bay spat meditatively into “My doesn’t demanded. “See catches light.” agreed splendid. “Yes.” His every arched square tower. “It took me three years earn money it.” hadn’t once ceased looking Daisy think revalued everything according measure response drew well-loved eyes. Sometimes too around possessions dazed way actual astounding presence none longer real. Once nearly toppled flight stairs. bedroom simplest room where dresser garnished toilet set pure dull gold. brush delight smoothed hair whereupon Gatsby sat shaded laugh. passed visibly states entering third. embarrassment unreasoning joy consumed wonder presence. idea long dreamed end waited teeth set speak inconceivable pitch intensity. Now reaction running overwound clock were grounds swimming-pool hydroplane mid-summer flowers outside window rain row corrugated surface Sound. “If wasn’t mist your home bay” said Gatsby. “You have green light burns end dock.” calling “Ewing!” returned few minutes accompanied embarrassed slightly worn young man shell-rimmed glasses scanty blond hair. decently clothed “sport shirt” neck sneakers duck trousers nebulous hue. “We’ll go down-stairs” interrupted flipped switch. gray disappeared glowed They forgotten me held hand looked them they remotely possessed intense life. Then rain leaving together. Crossing table hall heavy dejection sleep. “Nothing happened” wanly. waited about four minute then never did hunted rooms cigarettes. We pushed aside curtains pavilions innumerable feet dark wall electric switches tumbled sort splash keys ghostly piano. inexplicable amount dust everywhere musty aired many days. found humidor unfamiliar table stale dry cigarettes inside. Throwing drawing-room smoking darkness. shook hands him silly to suddenly talking child. jewelry store buy pearl necklace perhaps pair cuff rid provincial squeamishness forever. empty left grass grown mine. One taxi drivers village fare entrance gate without stopping pointing inside accident story own. want avoided him got off train. Its vanished trees trees way pandered whispers last greatest human dreams transitory enchanted moment man must breath continent compelled aesthetic contemplation neither understood nor desired face time history something commensurate capacity wonder. ‘The house standard–it Hôtel pool mansion.’ ‘... wandered Marie Antoinette Restoration salons concealed behind couch orders breathlessly silent until through. As closed ‘Merton College Library’ sworn heard owl-eyed break laughter. upstairs period bedrooms swathed rose lavender silk vivid flowers dressing poolrooms bathrooms sunken baths–intruding chamber dishevelled doing liver exercises floor… Finally apartment bath Adam study drank glass Chartreuse cupboard wall.’