Why do you think Nick refused to partner up with Gatsby? There is one part of the story I don’t quite understand. My understanding is that Gatsby was trying to help Nick by inviting him to join his small business venture. But Nick said that he “had no choice” but to declined the offer because their “conversation might have been one of the crises” of his life. I don’t get it. I fail to see Nick’s predicament and his apparent reason for refusal. Would you have any idea? [ You see, I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of side line, you understand. And I thought that if you don’t make very much — You’re selling bonds, aren’t you, old sport?” “Trying to.” “Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money. It happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing.” I realize now that under different circumstances that conversation might have been one of the crises of my life. But, because the offer was obviously and tactlessly for a service to be rendered, I had no choice except to cut him off there. “I’ve got my hands full,” I said. “I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work.” ] Ch.5 http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/complete.html#chapter5