Цветы для Элджернона

           I’vehadtheminhereadozentimesinthelastfewweeks.They’reallupset.Charlie,Igottoletyougo."

           Itriedtostophimbutheshookhishead.

           "Therewasadelegationintoseemelastnight.Char­lie,Igotmybusinesstoholdtogether."

           Hewasstaringathishands,turningthepaperoverandoverasifhehopedtofindsomethingonitthatwasnottherebefore."I’msorry,Charlie."

           "ButwherewillIgo?"

           Hepeeredupatmeforthefirsttimesincewe’dwalkedintohiscubbyholeoffice."YouknowaswellasIdothatyoudon’tneedtoworkhereanymore."

           "Mr.Donner,I’veneverworkedanywhereelse."

           "Let’sfaceit.You’renottheCharliewhocameinhereseventeenyearsago—noteventhesameCharlieoffourmonthsago.Youhaven’ttalkedaboutit.It’syourownaf­fair.Maybeamiracleofsomekind—whoknows?Butyou’vechangedintoaverysmartyoungman.Andoperat­ingthedoughmixeranddeliveringpackagesisnoworkforasmartyoungman."

           Hewasright,ofcourse,butsomethinginsidemewantedtomakehimchangehismind.

           "You’vegottoletmestay,Mr.Donner.Givemean-

           otherchance.YousaidyourselfthatyoupromisedUncleHermanIwouldhaveajobhereforaslongasIneededit.Well,Istillneedit,Mr.Donner."

           "Youdon’t,Charlie.IfyoudidthenI’dtellthemIdon’tcareabouttheirdelegationsandtheirpetitions,andI’dstickupforyouagainstallofthem.Butasitisnow,they’reallscaredtodeathofyou.Igottothinkofmyownfamilytoo.