Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

1227 страница из 1457

“Yes, I know all that,” said Hallie. “Go on. Let’s have the surprise.”

“I had planned to engage a courier,” continued Mr. Bushmill, “but fortunately I ran into my friend Corcoran this evening and he’s agreed to go instead.”

“I haven’t said a word—” interrupted Corcoran in amazement, but Bushmill continued with a decisive wave of his hand:

“Brought up in Europe, he knows it like a book; born in the Ritz, he understands hotels; taught by experience”—here he looked significantly at Corcoran—“taught by experience, he can prevent you and your mother from being extravagant and show you how to observe the happy mean.”

“Great!” Hallie looked at Corcoran with interest. “We’ll have a regular loop, Mr.—”

She broke off. During the last few minutes a strange expression had come into Corcoran’s face. It spread suddenly now into a sort of frightened pallor.

“Mr. Bushmill,” he said with an effort, “I’ve got to speak to you alone—at once. It’s very important. I—”

Hallie jumped to her feet.

“I’ll wait with Mother,” she said with a curious glance. “Hurry—both of you.”