Коллекционер

           Clegg,Ianswered.

           "Yourfirstname?"

           Ferdinand.

           Shegavemeaquicksharplook.

           "That’snottrue,"shesaid.IrememberedIhadmywalletinmycoatwithmyinitialsingoldI’dboughtandIshowedit.Shewasn’ttoknowFstoodforFrederick.I’vealwayslikedFerdinand,it’sfunny,evenbeforeIknewher.There’ssomethingforeignanddistinguishedaboutit.UncleDickusedtocallmeitsometimes,joking.LordFerdinandClegg,MarquisofBugs,heusedtosay.

           It’sjustacoincidence,Isaid.

           "IsupposepeoplecallyouFerdie.OrFerd."

           AlwaysFerdinand.

           "Look,Ferdinand,Idon’tknowwhatyouseeinme.Idon’tknowwhyyou’reinlovewithme.PerhapsIcouldfallinlovewithyousomewhereelse.I..."shedidn’tseemtoknowwhattosay,whichwasunusual"...Idolikegentle,kindmen.ButIcouldn’tpossiblyfallinlovewithyouinthisroom,Icouldn’tfallinlovewithanyonehere.Ever."

           Ianswered,Ijustwanttogettoknowyou.

           Allthetimeshewassittingonthechestofdrawers,watchingmetoseewhateffectthethingsshesaidhad.SoIwassuspicious.Iknewitwasatest.