Коллекционер

           Becausetheyweretwowomenontheirown.Youwerebeingagent.

           C.Beingacharley,morelikeit.(Pathetic,hisattemptsatbeingacynic.)

           M.Andnowthey’reinAustraliamakingyourotherrelationsmiserable.

           C.Isupposeso.

           M.Dotheywriteletters?

           C.Yes.NotMabel.

           M.Wouldyoureadonetomeoneday?

           C.Whatfor?

           M.I’dbeinterested.

           C.(greatinnerstruggle)Igotonethismorning.I’vegotitonme.(Alotofargy-bargy,butintheendhetooktheletterfromoutofhispocket.)They’restupid.

           M.Nevermind.Readitout.Allofit.

           Hesatbythedoor,andIknitted,knitted,knitted—Ican’tremembertheletterwordforword,butitwassomethinglikethis:DearFred(that’sthenameshecallsmeby,hesaid,shedoesn’tlikeFerdinand—redwithembarrass-ment).VerypleasedtohaveyoursandasIsaidinmylastit’syourmoney,Godhasbeenverykindtoyouandyoumustn’tflyupinthefaceofhiskindnessandIwishyouhadnottakenthisstep,yourUncleStevesaysproperty’smoretroublethanit’sworth.Inoticeyoudon’tanswermyquestionaboutthewomantoclean.Iknowwhatmenareandjustrememberwhattheysaycleanlinessisnexttogodliness.Ihavenorightandyouhavebeenverygenerous,Fred,UncleSteveandtheboysandGertiecan’tunderstandwhyyoudidn’tcomeherewithus,Gertonlysaidthismorningthatyououghttobehere,yourplaceiswithus,butdon’tthinkIamnotgrateful.