Коллекционер

           Assoonasshesawmeshebegantalking,sheseemedtothinkIwassomeoneelsebecausesheaskedmeifI’dseenLouise(Ineverheardhertalkofherbefore)—luckilyshedidn’twaitforananswer,shestartedtalkingaboutsomemodernpainter,thenshesaidshewasthirsty.Itwasn’tsense,thingsseemedtocomeinherheadandgo.Well,Igaveheradrinkandshelaystillawhileandshesuddenlyseemedtogethalfbacktonormal(inmind,thatis)becauseshesaid,whenwillDaddycome,youhavebeen?

           Ilied,itwasawhitelie,Isaidhe’dbeheresoon.Shesaid,washmyface,andwhenIdid,shesaidhemustseesomeof.thatstuffI’vebroughtup.Isayshesaid,butitwasallinawhisper.

           Shesaidshewishedshecouldsleep.

           It’sthefever,Isaid,andshenodded,forabitshequiteunderstoodallIwassaying,andnoonecouldbelieveitbutIdecidedtogobacktoLewestogetadoctor.Ihelpedherbehindthescreen,shewassoweakIknewshecouldn’trunaway,sowhatIdecidedwasIwouldgoupandtryandgettwohours’sleepandthenI’dcarryherupstairsandI’dgodowntoLewesandgetanotherdoctorout.

           Idon’tknowhowithappened,Ialwaysgetupassoonasthealarmsounds;IthinkImusthavereachedoutandturneditoffinmysleep,Idon’trememberwakingup,once.Anywayitwasfour,nothalfpasttwelvewhenIwokeup.Ofcourse,Irusheddowntoseewhathadhappened.Shehadpulledallthetopclothesoffherchest,butluckilyitwaswarmenough.