Цветы для Элджернона

           Itseemsfoolishnow,butasIsattherestaringathim—short,chubby,withtheraggedlight-brownmous­tachecomicallydroopingoverhisupperlip—itwasasifbothofme,theoldCharlieandthenew,weresittingonthatchair,frightenedatwhatOldMr.Donnerwasgoingtosay.

           "Charlie,yourUncleHermanwasagoodfriendofmine.Ikeptmypromisetohimtokeepyouonthejob,goodtimesandbad,sothatyoudidn’teverwantforadol­larinyourpocketandaplacetolayyourheadwithoutbeingputawayinthathome."

           "Thebakeryismyhome—"

           "AndItreatedyoulikemyownsonwhogaveuphislifeforhiscountry.AndwhenHermandied—howoldwereyou?seventeen?morelikeasix-year-oldboy—Isworetomyself...Isaid,ArthurDonner,aslongasyougotabakeryandabusinessoveryourhead,you’regoingtolookafterCharlie.Heisgoingtohaveaplacetowork,abedtosleepin,andbreadinhismouth.WhentheycommittedyoutothatWarrenplace,Itoldthemhowyouwouldworkforme,andIwouldtakecareofyou.Youdidn’tspendevenonenightinthatplace.IgotyouaroomandIlookedafteryou.Now,haveIkeptthatsolemnpromise?"

           Inodded,butIcouldseebythewayhewasfoldingandunfoldinghisbillsthathewashavingtrouble.AndasmuchasIdidn’twanttoknow—Iknew."I’vetriedmybesttodoagoodjob.I’veworkedhard..."

           "Iknow,Charlie.Nothing’swrongwithyourwork.Butsomethinghappenedtoyou,andIdon’tunderstandwhatitmeans.Notonlyme.Everyonehasbeentalkingaboutit.