Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

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“Not in the least.”

“Well, I’m going to tell you anyhow,” said Charley defiantly. “That’s what I came out here for. I’m in trouble, Michael, and I haven’t got anybody to go to except you.”

“Have you tried your friends?” asked Michael coolly.

“I’ve tried about everybody—everybody I’ve had time to go to. God!” He wiped his forehead with his hand. “I never realized how hard it was to raise a simple two thousand dollars.”

“Have you come to me for two thousand dollars?”

“Wait a minute, Michael. Wait till you hear. It just shows you what a mess a man can get into without meaning any harm. You see, I’m the treasurer of a society called the Independent Artists’ Benefit—a thing to help struggling students. There was a fund, thirty-five hundred dollars, and it’s been lying in my bank for over a year. Well, as you know, I live pretty high—make a lot and spend a lot—and about a month ago I began speculating a little through a friend of mine—”

“I don’t know why you’re telling me all this,” interrupted Michael impatiently. “I—”