Коллекционер

           Ican’t,Isaid.Notnow.Ifeltlikeacruelking,herappealinglikeshedid.

           "IfyouletmegonowIshallbegintoadmireyou.Ishallthink,hehadmeathismercy,buthewaschivalrous,hebehavedlikearealgentleman."

           Ican’t,Isaid.Don’task.Pleasedon’task.

           "Ishouldthink,someonelikethatmustbeworthknowing."Shesatperchedthere,watchingme.

           I’vegottogonow,Isaid.IwentoutsofastIfelloverthetopstep.Shegotoffthedrawersandstoodlookingupatmeinthedoorwithastrangeexpression.

           "Please,"shesaid.Verygentlyandnicely.Itwasdifficulttoresist.

           Itwaslikenothavinganetandcatchingaspecimenyouwantedinyourfirstandsecondfingers(Iwasalwaysverycleveratthat),comingupslowlybehindandyouhadit,butyouhadtonipthethorax,anditwouldbequiveringthere.Itwasn’teasylikeitwaswithakilling-bottle.Anditwastwiceasdifficultwithher,becauseIdidn’twanttokillher,thatwasthelastthingIwanted.

           Sheoftenwentonabouthowshehatedclassdistinction,butshenevertookmein.It’sthewaypeoplespeakthatgivesthemaway,notwhattheysay.Youonlyhadtoseeherdaintywaystoseehowshewasbroughtup.Shewasn’tla-di-da,likemany,butitwasthereallthesame.YoucouldseeitwhenshegotsarcasticandimpatientwithmebecauseIcouldn’texplainmyselforIdidthingswrong.Stopthinkingaboutclass,she’dsay.Likearichmantellingapoormantostopthinkingaboutmoney.