Читать книгу The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald онлайн

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“Did you ever hear such perfect ragtime? I just can’t make my shoulders behave when I hear that.”

Mr. Bloeckman clapped his hands gallantly.

“You ought to be on the stage.”

“I’d like to be!” cried Muriel; “will you back me?”

“I sure will.”

With becoming modesty Muriel ceased her motions and turned to Maury, asking what he had “seen” this year. He interpreted this as referring to the dramatic world, and they had a gay and exhilarating exchange of titles, after this manner:

Muriel: Have you seen “Peg o’ My Heart”?

Maury: No, I haven’t.

Muriel: (Eagerly) It’s wonderful! You want to see it.

Maury: Have you seen “Omar, the Tentmaker”?

Muriel: No, but I hear it’s wonderful. I’m very anxious to see it. Have you seen “Fair and Warmer”?

Maury: (Hopefully) Yes.

Muriel: I don’t think it’s very good. It’s trashy.

Maury: (Faintly) Yes, that’s true.

Muriel: But I went to “Within the Law” last night and I thought it was fine. Have you seen “The Little Cafe”? …

This continued until they ran out of plays. Dick, meanwhile, turned to Mr. Bloeckman, determined to extract what gold he could from this unpromising load.