Коллекционер

           "Wouldyoumindwipingmyfacewithmyflannel?"

           Itwasfunny,IdidwhatshesaidandforthefirsttimefordaysIfeltabitsorryforher.Itwasawoman’sjob,really.Imeanitwasatimewhenwomenneedotherwomen.Shesaidthanks.

           I’llgonowthen,Isaid.

           "Don’tgo.I’lldie."Sheactuallytriedtocatchholdofmyarm.

           Don’tbesodaft,Itoldher.

           "Youmustlisten,youmustlisten,"andsuddenlyshewascryingagain;Icouldseehereyesfillingwithtearsandshesortofbangedherheadfromsidetosideonthepillow.Ifeltsorryforherbythen,asIsay,soIsatonthebedandgaveherahandkerchiefandtoldherIwouldnevernotgetadoctorifshewasreallyill.IevensaidIstilllovedherandIwassorryandsomeotherthings.Butthetearsjustkeptoncoming,shehardlyseemedtolisten.NotevenwhenItoldhershelookedmuchbetterthanthedaybefore,whichwasnotstrictlytrue.

           Intheendshegrewcalm,shelaytherewithhereyesshutforawhileandthenwhenImovedshesaid,"Willyoudosomethingforme?"

           What,Iasked.

           "Willyoustaydownherewithmeandletthedoorbeopenforair?"

           Well,Iagreed,andweturnedoutthelightsinherroom,withonlythelightfromoutsideandthefan,andIsatbyherforquiteatime