Коллекционер

           Igotthestrapsoffher,madehersitup,herlegsandfeetstillboundofcourse.Shekickedaboutforamoment,IwasobligedtosaythatifshedidnotkeepquietIwouldhavetoresorttomoreofthechloroandCTC(whichIshowed),butthatifshekeptstillIwouldn’thurther.Thatdidthetrick.Iliftedher,shewasnotsoheavyasIthought;Igotherdownquiteeasily;wedidhaveabitofastruggleatthedoorofherroom,buttherewasn’tmuchshecoulddothen.Iputheronthebed.Itwasdone.

           Herfacewaswhite,someofthesickhadgoneonhernavyjumper,shewasarealsight;buthereyesweren’tafraid.It’twasfunny.Shejuststaredatme,waiting.

           Isaid,thisisyourroom.IfyoudowhatIsay,youwon’tbehurt.It’snogoodshouting.Youcan’tbeheardoutsideandanywaythere’sneveranyonetohear.I’mgoingtoleaveyounow,there’ssomebiscuitsandsandwiches(IboughtsomeinHampstead)andifyouwanttomaketeaorcocoa.I’llcomebacktomorrowmorning,Isaid.

           Icouldseeshewantedmetotakethegagoff,butIwouldn’tdoit.WhatIdidwasIundidherarmsandthenimmediatelywentbackout;shestruggledtogetthegagoff,butIgotthedoorclosedfirstandtheboltsin.Iheardhercry,comeback!Thenagainbutnotloud.Thenshetriedthedoor,butnotveryhard.Thenshebegantobangonthedoorwithsomethinghard.Ithinkitwasthehairbrush.Itdidn’tsoundmuch,anyhowIputthefalseshelfinandknewyouwouldn’thearanythingoutside.Istayedanhourintheoutercellar,justincase.Itwasn’tnecessary,therewasnothinginherroomshecouldhavebrokenthedoordownwithevenifshehadthestrength,Iboughtallplasticcupsandsaucersandaluminiumteapotandcutlery,etcetera.

           EventuallyIwentupandwenttobed.ShewasmyguestatlastandthatwasallIcaredabout.