Цветы для Элджернона

           Thewindowreflectingmyimagebecomesbright,andastheglassturnsintoamirror,IseelittleCharlieGordon—fourteenorfifteen—lookingoutatmethroughthewindowofhishouse,andit’sdoublystrangetorealizehowdifferenthewas....

           Hehasbeenwaitingforhissistertocomefromschool,andwhenheseesherturnthecornerontoMarksStreet,hewavesandcallshernameandrunsoutontotheporchtomeether.

           Normawavesapaper."IgotanAinmyhistorytest.Iknewalltheanswers.Mrs.Baffinsaiditwasthebestpaperinthewholeclass."

           Sheisaprettygirlwithlightbrownhaircarefullybraidedandcoiledaboutherheadinacrown,andasshelooksupatherbigbrotherthesmileturnstoafrownandsheskipsaway,leavinghimbehindasshedartsupthestepsintothehouse.

           Smiling,hefollowsher.

           Hismotherandfatherareinthekitchen,andCharlie,burstingwiththeexcitementofNorma’sgoodnews,blurtsitoutbeforeshehasachance.

           "ShegotanA!ShegotanA!"

           "No!"shrieksNorma."Notyou.Youdon’ttell.It’smymark,andI’mgoingtotell."

           "Nowwaitaminute,younglady."Mattputshisnewspaperdownandaddresseshersternly."That’snowaytotalktoyourbrother."

           "Hehadnorighttotell!"

           "Nevermind."Mattglaresatheroverhiswarningfinger."Hemeantnoharmbyit,andyoumusn’tshoutathimthatway."

           Sheturnstohermotherforsupport."IgotanA—thebestmarkinclass.NowIcanhaveadog?Youpromised.YousaidifIgotagoodmarkinmytest.AndIgotanAAbrowndogwithwhitespots.