Коллекционер

           Ididittomakeherfeelbetter(writingthecheque)butIdon’tseethepointofwastingmoneyonsomethingyoudon’tbelievein.Iknowrichpeoplegivesums,butinmyopiniontheydoittogettheirnamespublishedortododgethetax-man.

           Foreverybath,Ihadtoscrewintheplanksagain.Ididn’tliketoleavethemupallthetime.Allwentoffwell.Onceitwasverylate(eleven)soItookhergagoffwhenshewentin.Itwasaverywindynight,apropergaleblowing.Whenwecamedownshewantedtositinthesitting-room(Igottickedoffforcallingitthelounge),handsboundofcourse,thereseemednoharm,soIputtheelectricfireon(shetoldmeimitationlogsweretheend,Ioughttohavereallogfires,likeIdidlater).Wesatthereabit,shesatonthecarpetdryingherwashedhairandofcourseIjustwatchedher.ShewaswearingsomeslacksIboughther,veryattractiveshelookedallinblackexceptforalittleredscarf.Shehadherhairalldaybeforeshewasheditintwopigtails,oneofthegreatpleasuresformewasseeinghowherhairwaseachday.Beforethefire,however,itwaslooseandspread,whichIlikedbest.

           Afteratimeshegotupandwalkedroundtheroom,allrestless.Shekeptonsayingtheword"bored."Overandoveragain.Itsoundedfunny,whatwiththewindhowlingoutsideandall.

           Suddenlyshestoppedinfrontofme.

           "Amuseme.Dosomething."

           Wellwhat,Iasked.Photos?Butshedidn’twantphotos.

           "Idon’tknow.Sing,dance,anything."