Коллекционер

           Shewaslikesomecaterpillarthattakesthreemonthstofeeduptryingtodoitinafewdays.Iknewnothinggoodwouldcomeofit,shewasalwaysinsuchahurry.Peopletodayalwayswanttogetthings,theynosoonerthinkofittheywanttogetitintheirhands,butIamdifferent,old-fashioned,Ienjoythinkingaboutthefutureandlettingthingsdevelopallingoodtime.Easydoesit,asUncleDickusedtosaywhenhewasintoabigone.

           Whatsheneverunderstoodwasthatwithmeitwashaving.Havingherwasenough.Nothingneededdoing.Ijustwantedtohaveher,andsafeatlast.

           Twoorthreedayspassed.Sheneversaidmuch,butthenonedayafterlunchshesaid,"I’maprisonerforlife,aren’tI."

           Icouldtellshewasjusttalking,soIsaidnothing.

           "Hadn’twebetterstartbeingfriendsagain?"

           O.K.withme,Isaid.

           "I’dlikeabathtonight."

           O.K.

           "Thencouldwesitupstairs?It’sthisroom.Igetmadforachange."

           IsaidI’dsee.

           Actually,Ilitthefireandgoteverythingready.Madesuretherewasnothingshecouldpickupandhaveabashatmewith.It’snogoodpretendingIhadmyoldtrustinher.

           Well,shewentuptoherbathanditwasalllikeasusual.WhenshecameoutIdidherhands,nogag,andIfollowedherdownstairs.InoticedshehadalotofherFrenchscenton,she’ddoneherhairupthewayshediditbefore,andshewaswearingapurpleandwhitehousecoatIboughther.