Коллекционер

           ThenshewantedtoknowwhathadhappenedinthenightandthemorningandItoldher.

           "Terriblenightmares,"shesaid.Well,IsaidI’dstaywithherallnightandthatshelookedbetterandsheaskedmeifIwassureshelookedbetterandIsaidshewas.Iwantedhertobebetterbythen,soIsupposeIwasseeingthings.

           Ipromisedthatifshewasn’twellthenextdayIwouldcarryherupstairsandgetadoctortocome.Sothenshewantedtogoupatonce,sheevenwantedtoknowthetimeandwhenItoldher,notthinking,shepointedoutitwasnightandnoonewouldsee.ButIsaidnoneoftheroomsorbedswasaired.

           Thenshechanged,shesaid,"Ifeelsoafraid.I’mgoingtodie."Shedidn’tspeakquickly,therewerepauses.

           Shesaid,"I’vetriedtohelpyou.Youmusttrytohelpmenow."IsaidofcourseIwould,Ispongedherfaceagainandsheseemedtobedroppingoff,whichwaswhatIwanted,butshespokeupagain.

           Shesaidinaloudvoice,"Daddy?Daddy?"

           Gotosleep,Isaid.You’llberecoveredtomorrow.

           Shebegantocryagain.Itwasn’tlikeordinarycrying,shejustlaytherewiththetearsaroundhereyesasifshedidn’tknowshewascrying.Thensuddenlyshesaid,"WhatwillyoudoifIdie?"

           Isaid,you’renotgoingtodie,don’tbesilly.

           "Willyoutellanyone?"

           I’mnotgoingtotalkaboutit,Isaid.

           "Idon’twanttodie,"shesaid.Andthen,"Idon’twanttodie,"again.