Коллекционер

           Ineverletherseepapers.Ineverletherhavearadioortelevision.IthappenedonedaybeforeevershecameIwasreadingabookcalledSecretsoftheGestapo—allaboutthetorturesandsoontheyhadtodointhewar,andhowoneofthefirstthingstoputupwithifyouwereaprisonerwasthenotknowingwhatwasgoingonoutsidetheprison.Imeantheydidn’tlettheprisonersknowanything,theydidn’tevenletthemtalktoeachother,sotheywerecutofffromtheiroldworld.Andthatbrokethemdown.Ofcourse,Ididn’twanttobreakherdownastheGestapowantedtobreaktheirprisonersdown.ButIthoughtitwouldbebetterifshewascutofffromtheoutsideworld,she’dhavetothinkaboutmemore.SoinspiteofmanyattemptsonherparttomakemegetherthepapersandaradioIwouldn’teverletherhavethem.ThefirstdaysIdidn’twanthertoreadaboutallthepoliceweredoing,andsoon,becauseitwouldhaveonlyupsether.Itwasalmostakindness,asyoumightsay.

           ThatnightIcookedherasupperoffreshfrozenpeasandfrozenchickeninwhitesauceandsheateitandseemedtolikeit.After,Isaid,canIstayabit?

           "Ifyouwant,"shesaid.Shewassittingonthebed,withtheblanketfoldedatherbacklikeacushion,againstthewall,herfeetfoldedunderher.ForatimeshejustsmokedandlookedatoneoftheartpicturebooksI’dboughther.

           "Doyouknowanythingaboutart?"sheasked.

           Nothingyou’dcallknowledge.

           "Iknewyoudidn’t.Youwouldn’timprisonaninnocentpersonifyoudid."

           Idon’tseetheconnection,Isaid.