Цветы для Элджернона

           Maybethefearandnauseawasnolongeraseatodrownin,butonlyapoolofwaterreflectingthepastalongsidethenow.WasIfree?

           IfIcouldreachAliceintime—withoutthinkingaboutit,beforeitoverwhelmedme—maybethepanicwouldn’thappen.IfonlyIcouldmakemymindablank.Imanagedtochokeout:"You...youdoit!Holdme!"AndbeforeIknewwhatshewasdoing,shewaskissingme,holdingmecloserthananyonehadeverheldmebefore.ButatthemomentIshouldhavecomeclosestofall,itstarted:thebuzzing,thechill,andthenausea.Iturnedawayfromher.

           Shetriedtosootheme,totellmeitdidn’tmatter,thattherewasnoreasontoblamemyself.Butashamed,andnolongerabletocontrolmyanguish,Ibegantosob.ThereinherarmsIcriedmyselftosleep,andIdreamedofthecourtierandthepink-cheekedmaiden.Butinmydreamitwasthemaidenwhoheldthesword.