Коллекционер

           "Justyouandme.Because...oh,well,we’vecomethrough,haven’twe?"

           Thenshesaid,"Andupstairs,inyourdining-room?"

           TowhichIagreed.Ihadnochoice.

           Shegavemealistofthingstobuyattheposhgrocer’sinLewes,andthensheaskedifI’dbuysherryandabottleofchampagneandofcourseIsaidIwould.Ineversawhergetsoexcited.IsupposeIgotexcitedtoo.Eventhen.Whatshefelt,Ifelt.

           TomakeherlaughIsaid,eveningdress,ofcourse.Andshesaid,"Oh,IwishIhadanicedress.AndImusthavesomemorehotwatertowashmyhair."

           Isaid,I’llbuyyouadress.JusttellmelikebeforethecolourandsoonandI’llseewhatthereisinLewes.

           Funny,I’dbeensocareful,andthereIwas,goingred.Shegavemeasmile,however,

           "IknewitwasLewes.There’saticketononeofthecushions.AndI’dlikeeitherablackdress,orno,abiscuit,stone—oh,wait..."andshewenttoherpaint-boxandmixedcolourslikeshedidbeforewhenshewantedascarfofaspecialcolourwhenIwasgoingtoLondon."Thiscolour,anditmustbesimple,knee-length,notlong,sleeveslikethis(shedrewit),ornosleeves,somethinglikethisorlikethis."Ialwayslikeditwhenshedrew.Shewassoquick,fluttery,youfeltshecouldn’twaittodrawwhateveritwas.

           Naturallymythoughtswerefarfromhappythatday.Itwasjustlikemenottohaveaplan.Idon’tknowwhatIthoughtwouldhappen.