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The Great Gatsby — Chapter 9 — Page 17

I dont give a damn about you now, but it was a new experience for me, and I felt a little dizzy for a while. We shook hands. Oh, and do you remembershe addeda conversation we had once about driving a car? Whynot exactly. You said a bad driver was only safe until she met another bad driver? Well, I met another bad driver, didnt I? I mean it was careless of me to make such a wrong guess. I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person. I thought it was your secret pride. Im thirty, I said. Im five years too old to lie to myself and call it honour. She didnt answer. Angry, and half in love with her, and tremendously sorry, I turned away. One afternoon late in October I saw Tom Buchanan. He was walking ahead of me along Fifth Avenue in his alert, aggressive way, his hands out a little from his body as if to fight off interference, his head moving sharply here and there, adapting itself to his restless eyes. Just as I slowed up to avoid overtaking him he stopped and began frowning into the windows of a jewellery store. Suddenly he saw me and walked back, holding out his hand. Whats the matter, Nick? Do you object to shaking hands with me? Yes. You know what I think of you. Youre crazy, Nick, he said quickly. Crazy as hell. I dont know whats the matter with you.