Коллекционер

           AuntAnnieandMabelusedtodespisemybutterflieswhenIwasaboy,butUncleDickwouldalwaysstickupforme.Healwaysadmiredagoodbitofsetting.HefeltthesameasIdidaboutanewimagoandwouldsitandwatchthewingsstretchanddryoutandthegentlewaytheytrythem,andhealsoletmehaveroominhisshedformycaterpillarjars.WhenIwonahobbyprizeforacaseofFritillarieshegavemeapoundonconditionIdidn’ttellAuntAnnie.Well,Iwon’tgoon,hewasasgoodasafathertome.WhenIheldthepoolschequeinmyhands,hewastheperson,besidesMirandaofcourse,Ithoughtof.Iwouldhavegivenhimthebestrodsandtackleandanythingelsehewanted.Butitwasnottobe.

           IdidthepoolsfromtheweekIwastwenty-one.EveryweekIdidthesamefive-bobperm.OldTomandCrutchley,whowereinRateswithme,andsomeofthegirlsclubbedtogetheranddidabigoneandtheywerealwaysgoingatmetojoinin,butIstayedthelonewolf.IneverlikedoldTomorCrutchley.OldTomisslimy,alwaysgoingonaboutlocalgovernmentandbutteringuptoMr.Williams,theBoroughTreasurer.Crutchley’sgotadirtymindandheisasadist,heneverletanopportunitygoofmakingfunofmyinterest,especiallyifthereweregirlsaround."Fred’slookingtired—he’sbeenhavingadirtyweek-endwithaCabbageWhite,"heusedtosay,and,"WhowasthatPaintedLadyIsawyouwithlastnight?"OldTomwouldsnigger,andJane,Crutch-ley’sgirlfromSanitation,shewasalwaysinouroffice,wouldgiggle.ShewasallMirandawasn’t.Ialwayshatedvulgarwomen,especiallygirls.SoIdidmyownentry,likeIsaid.

           Thechequewasfor£73,091andsomeoddshillingsandpence.IrangupMr.WilliamsassoonasthepoolspeopleconfirmedtheTuesdaythatallwaswell.IcouldtellhewasangrythatIleftlikethat,althoughhesaidatfirsthewaspleased,hewassuretheywereallpleased,whichofcourseIknowtheyweren’t.