Коллекционер

           Hissayingsomethinghetotallymeant,andmyfeelingit.

           Heremainedstaringatme,sothatIwasembarrassed.Andstillhestared.Isaid,pleasedon’tstareatmelikethat.

           Hecameandputhisarmroundmyshouldersthenandledmegentlytowardsthedoor.Hesaid,youareverypretty,attimesyou’rebeautiful.Youaresensitive,youareeager,youtrytobehonest,youmanagetobebothyourageandnaturalandalittlepriggishandold-fashionedatthesametime.Youevenplaychessquitewell.You’rejustthedaughterI’dliketohave.That’sprobablywhyI’vewantedyousomuchtheselastfewmonths.

           Hepushedmethroughthedoor,faceforward,soIcouldn’tseehim.

           Ican’tsaysuchthingstoyouwithoutturningyourhead.Andyoumustn’tturnyourhead,inanysense.Now,go.

           Ifelthimpressmyshouldersaninstant.Andhekissedthebackofmyhead.Pushedmeaway.AndIwenttwoorthreestepsdownthestairsbeforeIstoppedandlookedback.Hewassmiling,butitwasasadsmile.

           Isaid,pleasedon’tletitbetoolong.

           Hejustshookhishead.Idon’tknowifhemeant"no,nottoolong"or"it’snogoodhopingitwillbeanythingelsebutverylong."Perhapshedidn’tknowhimself.Buthelookedsad.Helookedsadallthrough.

           OfcourseIlookedsad.ButIdidn’treallyfeelsad.Oritwasn’tasadnessthathurt,notanall-throughone.Iratherenjoyedit.Beastly,butIdid.Isangonthewayhome.Theromance,themysteryofit.Living.