Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

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“So she took a revolver, very much like this one here, and she came after this man to the apartment of a poor, weak, harmless rat of a girl who had him in tow. She was going to either bring him to himself—or go back to the dust with him where nothing would matter anymore.”

She paused. Elaine shifted uneasily in her chair. Charley was leaning forward with his face in his hands.

“Charley!”

The word, sharp and distinct, startled him. He dropped his hands and looked up at her.

“Charley!” she repeated in a thin clear voice. “Do you remember Fontenay in the late fall?”

A bewildered look passed over his face.

“Listen, Charley. Pay attention. Listen to every word I say. Do you remember the poplar trees at twilight, and a long column of French infantry going through the town? You had on your blue uniform, Charley, with the little numbers on the tabs and you were going to the front in an hour. Try and remember, Charley!”

He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a funny little sigh. Elaine sat bolt upright in her chair and gazed from one to the other of them with wide eyes.