Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

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“All right,” said Corcoran suddenly, “I’ve decided to give you a good time.”

“How?” she demanded with frozen scorn. “Take me to the movies?”

“Miss Bushmill,” said Corcoran grimly, “I’ve had good times beyond the wildest flights of your very provincial, Middle-Western imagination. I’ve entertained from New York to Constantinople—given affairs that have made Indian rajahs weep with envy. I’ve had prima donnas break ten-thousand-dollar engagements to come to my smallest dinners. When you were still playing who’s-got-the-button back in Ohio I entertained on a cruising trip that was so much fun that I had to sink my yacht to make the guests go home.”

“I don’t believe it. I—” Hallie gasped.

“You’re bored,” he interrupted. “Very well. I’ll do my stuff. I’ll do what I know how to do. Between here and Amsterdam you’re going to have the time of your life.”

Corcoran worked quickly. That night, after taking Hallie to her room, he paid several calls—in fact he was extraordinarily busy up to eleven o’clock next morning. At that hour he tapped briskly at the Bushmills’ door.