Коллекционер

           Iunderstand,IthinkIunderstandwhyyou’vegiventhemtome,andIappreciateitverymuch,but...Ican’ttakethem."

           Iwantyouto,Isaid.

           "But...Ferdinand,ifayoungmangivesagirlapresentlikethis,itcanonlymeanonething."

           What,Iasked.

           "Otherpeoplehavenastyminds."

           Iwantyoutohavethem.Please.

           "I’llwearthemfornow.I’llpretendthey’remine."

           Theyareyours,Isaid.

           Shecameroundthetablewiththecase.

           "Putthemon,"shesaid."Ifyougiveagirljewellery,youmustputitonyourself."

           Shestoodthereandwatchedme,rightupclosetome,thensheturnedasIpickedupthestonesandputthemroundherneck.Ihadajobfasteningthem,myhandsweretrembling,itwasthefirsttimeIhadtouchedherskinexceptherhand.ShesmeltsoniceIcouldhavestoodlikethatalltheevening.Itwaslikebeinginoneofthoseadvertscometolife.Atlastsheturnedandthereshewaslookingatme.

           "Aretheynice?"Inodded,Icouldn’tspeak.Iwantedtosaysomethingnice,acompliment.

           "Wouldyoulikemetokissyouonthecheek?"

           Ididn’tsay,butsheputherhandonmyshoulderandliftedupabitandkissedmycheek.Itmusthaveseemedhot,Iwasredenoughbythattimetohavestartedabonfire.

           Well,wehadcoldchickenandthings;Iopenedthechampagneanditwasverynice,Iwassurprised.IwishedI’dboughtanotherbottle,itseemedeasytodrink,notveryintoxicating.