Коллекционер

           Iopeneditoutandlookedather.Shewasboldasbrass.Shejustleantbackinthechairandstaredatme.She’dwrittenveryverysmallwithasharppencil,buttheletterswereclear.Itwasn’tlikeherothernote,itsaid:

           D.M.Kidnappedbymadman.F.Clegg.ClerkfromAnnexewhowonpool.Prisonerincellarlonelytimberedcottagedateoutside1621hillycountrytwohoursLondon.Sofarsafe.Frightened.

           M.

           Iwasreallyangryandshocked,Ididn’tknowwhattodo.IntheendIsaid,areyoufrightened?Shedidn’tsayanything,shejustnodded.

           ButwhathaveIdone?Iasked.

           "Nothing.That’swhyI’mfrightened."

           Idon’tunderstand.

           Shelookeddown.

           "I’mwaitingforyoutodosomething."

           I’vepromisedandI’llpromiseagain,Isaid.YougetallhighandmightybecauseIdon’ttakeyourword,Idon’tknowwhyit’sdifferentforme.

           "I’msorry."

           Itrustedyou,Isaid.IthoughtyourealizedIwasbeingkind.Well,I’mnotgoingtobeused.Idon’tcareaboutyourletter.

           Iputitinmypocket.

           Therewasalongsilence,Iknewshewaslookingatme,butIwouldn’tlookather.ThensuddenlyshegotupandstoodinfrontofmeandputherhandsonmyshoulderssothatIhadtolookather,shemademelookdownintohereyes.Ican’texplainit,whenshewassincereshecoulddrawthesouloutofme,Iwaswaxinherhands.

           Shesaid,"Nowyou’rebehavinglikealittleboy.Youforgetthatyouarekeepingmeherebyforce.