Коллекционер

           Itmakesmewanttobesick.

           C.Sheneverhadanyrealeducation.

           M.It’snottheEnglish.It’shernastymind.

           C.Shetookmein.

           M.Shecertainlydid.Shetookyouin,andshe’sgoneontakingyouin.She’smadeanabsolutefooloutofyou.

           C.Thankyouverymuch.

           M.Well,shehas!

           C.Oh,you’reright.Asperusual.

           M.Don’tsaythat!(Iputdownmyknittingandclosedmyeyes.)

           C.Sheneverbossedmeabouthalfasmuchasyoudo.

           M.Idon’tbossyou.Itrytoteachyou.

           C.Youteachmetodespiseherandthinklikeyou,andsoonyou’llleavemeandI’llhavenooneatall.

           M.Nowyou’repityingyourself.

           C.It’stheonethingyoudon’tunderstand.Youonlygottowalkintoaroom,peoplelikeyou,andyoucantalkwithanyone,youunderstandthings,butwhen...

           M.Doshutup.You’reuglyenoughwithoutstartingtowhine.

           Ipickedupmyknittingandputitaway.WhenIlookedroundhewasstandingtherewithhismouthopen,tryingtosaysomething.AndIknewI’dhurthim,Iknowhedeservestobehurt,butthereitis.I’vehurthim.Helookedsoglum.AndIrememberedhe’dletmegooutinthegarden.Ifeltmean.

           IwenttohimandsaidIwassorryandheldoutmyhand,buthewouldn’ttakeit.Itwasqueer,hereallyhadasortofdignity,hewasreallyhurt(perhapsthatwasit)andshowingit.SoItookhisarmandmadehimsitdownagain,andIsaid,I’mgoingtotellyouafairystory.