Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

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“I should have been careful,” she whispered to herself. “All my life I’ll be punished for not being more careful. I wrapped all my love up like a box of candy and gave it away.”

Her window was open and outside on the lawn the sad, dissonant horns were telling a melancholy story. A blackamoor was two-timing the lady to whom he had pledged faith. The lady warned him, in so many words, to stop fooling ’round Sweet Jelly-Roll, even though Sweet Jelly-Roll was the color of pale cinnamon——

The phone on the table by her bed rang imperatively. Diana took up the receiver.

“Yes.”

“One minute please, New York calling.”

It flashed through Diana’s head that it was Charley—but that was impossible. He must be still on the train.

“Hello.” A woman was speaking. “Is this the Dickey residence?”

“Yes.”

“Well, is Mr. Charles Abbot there?”

Diana’s heart seemed to stop beating as she recognized the voice—it was the blonde girl of the café.

“What?” she asked dazedly.

“I would like to speak to Mr. Abbot at once please.”