Коллекционер

           She’dbeenonfordaysabouthowtheywouldbesickwithworryandhowmeanIwasnotlettingthemknow.IsaidIcouldn’ttaketherisk.Butonedayaftersuppershesaid,I’lltellyouhowtodoit,withoutanyrisk.Youweargloves.YoubuypaperandsomeenvelopesfromWoolworth’s.Youdictatealettertometowrite.Yougotothenearestbigtownandpostit.Youcan’tbetraced.ItmightbeanyWoolworth’sinthecountry.

           Well,shekeptonatmesoaboutitthatonedayIdidwhatshesuggestedandboughtsomepaperandenvelopes.ThateveningIgaveherasheetandtoldhertowrite.

           "Iamsafeandnotindanger,"Isaid.

           Shewroteit,saying,"That’sfilthyEnglish,butnevermind."

           YouwritewhatIsay,Ianswered,andwenton,"Donottrytofindme,itisimpossible."

           "Nothing’simpossible,"shesaid.Cheekyasusual.

           "Iambeingwelllookedafterbyafriend,"Iwenton.ThenIsaid,that’sall,justputyourname.

           "Can’tIsay,Mr.Cleggsendshisregards?"

           Veryfunny,Isaid.Shewrotesomethingmoreandhandedmethesheetofpaper.Itsaid,Seeyousoon,love,Nanda,atthebottom.

           What’sthis?Iasked.

           "Mybabyname.They’llknowit’sme."

           IpreferMiranda,Isaid.Itwasthemostbeautifulforme.WhenshehadwrittentheenvelopeIputthesheetinandthenluckilyIlookedinside.Atthebottomoftheenvelopetherewasapieceofpapernobiggerthanhalfacigarettepaper.Idon’tknowhowbutshemusthavehaditreadyandslippeditin.