Цветы для Элджернона

           "I’llhelphertakecareofthedog!I’llhelpherfeeditandbrushitandIwon’tlettheotherdogsbiteit!"

           ButbeforeeitherMattorRosecananswer,Normashrieks:"No!It’sgoingtobemydog.Onlymydog!"

           Mattnods."Yousee?"

           Rosesitsbesideherandstrokesherbraidstocalmher."Butwehavetosharethings,dear.Charliecanhelpyoutakecareofit."

           "No!Onlymine!...I’mtheonewhogottheAinhis­tory—nothim!Henevergetsgoodmarkslikeme."Whyshouldhehelpwiththedog?Andthenthedogwilllikehimmorethanme,andit’llbehisdoginsteadofmine.No!IfIcan’thaveitformyselfIdon’twantit."

           "Thatsettlesit,"saysMattpickinguphisnewspaperandsettlingdowninhischairagain."Nodog."

           Suddenly,Normajumpsoffthecouchandgrabsthehistorytestshehadbroughthomesoeagerlyjustafewminutesearlier.ShetearsitandthrowsthepiecesintoCharlie’sstartledface."Ihateyou!Ihateyou!"

           "Norma,stopthatatonce!"Rosegrabsherbutshetwistsaway.

           "AndIhateschool!Ihateit!I’llstopstudying,andI’llbeadummylikehim.I’llforgeteverythingIlearnedandthenI’llbejustlikehim."Sherunsoutoftheroom,shrieking:"It’shappeningtomealready.I’mforgettingeverything...I’mforgetting...Idon’trememberanythingIlearnedanymore!"

           Rose,terrified,runsafterher.Mattsitstherestaringatthenewspaperinhislap.Charlie,frightenedbythehyste­riaandthescreaming,shrinksintoachairwhimperingsoftly.