Коллекционер

           WellIdidanditwasa102butIknewtherewerewaysyoucouldfaketemperatures.

           "Theair’sstiflinghere."

           There’splentyofair,Isaid.Itwasherfaultforhavingusedthatgamebefore.

           AnywayIgotthechemistinLewestogivemesomethinghesaidwasverygoodforcongestionandspecialanti-flupillsandinhaler,allofwhichshetookwhenoffered.Shetriedtoeatsomethingatsupper,butshecouldn’tmanageit,shewassick,shedidlookoff-colourthen,andIcansaythatforthefirsttimeIhadreasontobelievetheremightbesomethinginitall.Herfacewasred,bitsofherhairstuckonitwithperspiration,butthatcouldhavebeendeliberate.

           Icleanedupthesickandgaveherhermedicinesandwasgoingtoleavewhensheaskedmetositonthebed,soshewouldn’thavetospeakloud.

           "DoyouthinkIcouldspeaktoyouifIwasn’tterriblyill?Afterwhatyou’vedone."

           YouaskedforwhatIdid,Isaid.

           "YoumustseeI’mreallyill."

           It’stheflu,Isaid.There’salotinLewes.

           "It’snottheflu.I’vegotpneumonia.Somethingterrible.Ican’tbreathe."

           You’llbeallright,Isaid.Thoseyellowpillswilldothetrick.Thechemistsaidthey’rethebest.

           "Notfetchingadoctorismurder.You’regoingtokillme."

           Itellyouyou’reallright.It’sfever,Isaid.Assoonasshementioneddoctor,Iwassuspicious.