Ray Bradbury. 451 degrees Fahrenheit (№ 226918)

- You'll be home, when will the White clown and come visit? - shouted after him, Mildred.
Without turning, he stood in the doorway.
- Millie!
Silence.
- Well?
- Millie, the White clown love you?
The answer is no.
- Millie, he licked his dry lips, your relatives love you? Love with all your heart, with all your soul? And, Millie?
He felt her blinking slowly behind his head.
- Why do you ask such stupid questions?
He wanted to cry, but his lips were tightly compressed, and the eyes had no tears.