Коллекционер

           Ialwayswantedtodophotography,Igotacameraatonceofcourse,aLeica,thebest,telephotolens,thelot;themainideawastotakebutterflieslivinglikethefamousMr.S.Beaufoy;butalsooftenbeforeIusedtocomeonthingsoutcollecting,you’dbesurprisedthethingscouplesgetuptoinplacesyouthinktheywouldknowbetterthantodoitin,soIhadthattoo.

           Ofcoursethebusinesswiththewomanupsetmethough,ontopofalltheotherthings.Forinstance,AuntAnniehadsetherheartongoingonasea-cruisetoAustraliatoseehersonBobandUncleSteveherotheryoungerbrotherandhisfamily,andshewantedmetogotoo,butlikeIsayIdidn’twanttobeanymorewithAuntAnnieandMabel.ItwasnotthatIhatedthem,butyoucouldseewhattheywereatonce,evenmorethanme.Whattheywerewasobvious;Imeansmallpeoplewho’dneverlefthome.Forinstance,theyalwaysexpectedmetodoeverythingwiththemandtellthemwhatI’ddoneifbyanychanceIhadanhouroffonmyown.Thedayaftertheabove-mentionedItoldthemflatIwasn’tgoingtoAustralia.Theytookitnottoobad,Isupposetheyhadtimetoreckonitwasmymoneyafterall.

           ThefirsttimeIwenttolookforMirandaitwasafewdaysafterIwentdowntoSouthamptontoseeoffAuntAnnie;Mayloth,tobeexact.IwasbackinLondon.Ihadn’tgotanyrealplan,andItoldAuntAnnieandMabelImightgoabroad,butIdidn’ttrulyknow.AuntAnniewasscared,really,thenightbeforetheywentshehadasolemntalkwithmeabouthowIwasn’ttomarry,shehoped—thatis,withouthermeetingthebride.ShesaidalotaboutitbeingmymoneyandmylifeandhowgenerousIwasandallthat,butIcouldseeshewasreallyscaredImightmarrysomegirlandthey’dloseallthemoneytheyweresoashamedof,anyway.Idon’tblameher,itwasnatural,especiallywithadaughterwho’sacripple.IthinkpeoplelikeMabelshouldbeputoutpainlessly,butthat’sbesidethepoint.