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The Great Gatsby — Chapter 3 — Page 18

Did you run into the wall? Dont ask me, said Owl Eyes, washing his hands of the whole matter. I know very little about drivingnext to nothing. It happened, and thats all I know. Well, if youre a poor driver you oughtnt to try driving at night. But I wasnt even trying, he explained indignantly, I wasnt even trying. An awed hush fell upon the bystanders. Do you want to commit suicide? Youre lucky it was just a wheel! A bad driver and not even trying! You dont understand, explained the criminal. I wasnt driving. Theres another man in the car. The shock that followed this declaration found voice in a sustained Ah-h-h! as the door of the coupé swung slowly open. The crowdit was now a crowdstepped back involuntarily, and when the door had opened wide there was a ghostly pause. Then, very gradually, part by part, a pale, dangling individual stepped out of the wreck, pawing tentatively at the ground with a large uncertain dancing shoe. Blinded by the glare of the headlights and confused by the incessant groaning of the horns, the apparition stood swaying for a moment before he perceived the man in the duster. Whas matter? he inquired calmly. Did we run outa gas? Look! Half a dozen fingers pointed at the amputated wheelhe stared at it for a moment, and then looked upward as though he suspected that it had dropped from the sky. It came off, someone explained. He nodded.