Коллекционер

           ImadetheNescafeandItookitinandshewatchedmedrinksomeandthenshedranksome.Allthetimesheaskedquestions,no,allthetimeIfeltshemightaskaquestion,she’dcomeoutquicklywithaquestiontotryandcatchme.Abouthowlongshehadtostay,whyIwasbeingsokindtoher.Imadeupanswers,butIknewtheysoundedfeeble,itwasn’teasytoinventquicklywithher.IntheendIsaidIwasgoingintotheshopsandshewastotellmewhatshewanted.IsaidI’dbuyanythingshewanted.

           "Anything?"shesaid.

           Inreason,Isaid.

           "Mr.Singletontoldyouto?"

           No.Thisisfromme.

           "Ijustwanttobesetfree,"shesaid.Icouldn’tgethertosayanythingmore.Itwashorrible,shesuddenlywouldn’tspeak,soIhadtoleaveher.

           Shewouldn’tspeakagainatlunch.Icookedthelunchintheoutercellarandtookitin.Buthardlyanyofitwaseaten.Shetriedtobluffherwayoutagain,coldasiceshewas,butIwasn’thavingany.

           Thateveningafterhersupper,whichshelikewisedidn’teatmuch,Iwentandsatbythedoor.Forsometimeshesatsmoking,withhereyesshut,asifthesightofmetiredhereyes.

           "I’vebeenthinking.Allyou’vetoldmeaboutMr.Singletonisastory.Idon’tbelieveit.He’sjustnotthatsortofman,foronething.Andifhewas,hewouldn’thaveyouworkingforhim.Hewouldn’thavemadeallthesefantasticpreparations."