Цветы для Элджернона

           "Whentheyweregone,Icouldseebythewayshewasslammingherownthingsintohercloset,thatshewasangry.

           "I’msorry,"Isaid."Iwasgoingtowaitforyoudown­stairs,andthenIgotcuriousabouttheoldclassroom.Myalmamater.Ijustwantedtolookthroughthewindow.AndbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoingIcamein.What’sbotheringyou?"

           "Nothing—nothing’sbotheringme."

           "Comeon.Yourangerisalloutofproportiontowhat’shappened.Something’sonyourmind."

           Sheslammeddownabookshewasholding."Allright.Youwanttoknow?You’redifferent.You’vechanged.AndImnottalkingaboutyourI.Q.It’syourattitudetowardpeople—you’renotthesamekindofhumanbeing—"

           "Oh,comeonnow!Don’t—"

           "Don’tinterruptme!"Therealangerinhervoicepushedmeback."Imeanit.Therewassomethinginyoubefore.Idon’tknow...awarmth,anopenness,akindnessthatmadeeveryonelikeyouandliketohaveyouaround.Now,withallyourintelligenceandknowledge,therearedifferencesthat—"

           Icouldn’tletmyselflisten."Whatdidyouexpect?DidyouthinkI’dremainadocilepup,waggingmytailandlickingthefootthatkicksme?Sure,allthishaschangedmeandthewayIthinkaboutmyself.Inolongerhavetotakethekindofcrapthatpeoplehavebeenhand­ingmeallmylife."

           "Peoplehavenotbeenbadtoyou."

           "Whatdoyouknowaboutit?Listen,thebestofthemhavebeensmugandpatronizing—usingmetomakethemselvessuperiorandsecureintheirownlimitations.Anyonecanfeelintelligentbesideamoron."