Цветы для Элджернона

           You’regoingthroughagreattrial."Shewastry­ingtosmile.

           "Butyoudid.OnlyIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit."

           Onthewayfromthebusstoptoherapartment,shesaid,"I’mnotgoingtotheconventionwithyou.IcalledProfessorNemurthismorningandtoldhim.Therewillbealotforyoutodothere.Interestingpeople—theex­citementofthespotlightforawhile.Idon’twanttobeintheway—"

           "Alice—"

           "—andnomatterwhatyousayaboutitnow,Iknowthat’showI’mgoingtofeel,soifyoudon’tmind,I’llhangontomysplinteringego—thankyou."

           "Butyou’remakingmoreofthisthanitis.I’msureifyou’lljust—"

           "Youknow?You’resure?"Sheturnedandglaredatmeonthefrontstepsofherapartmentbuilding."Oh,howin­sufferableyou’vebecome.HowdoyouknowwhatIfeel?Youtakelibertieswithotherpeople’sminds.Youcan’ttellhowIfeelorwhatIfeelorwhyIfeel."

           Shestartedinsideandthenshelookedbackatme,hervoiceshaky:"I’llbeherewhenyougetback.I’mjustupset,that’sall,andIwantbothofustohaveachancetothinkthisoutwhilewe’reagooddistanceapart."

           Forthefirsttimeinmanyweeksshedidn’taskmein­side.Istaredatthecloseddoorwiththeangermountinginsideme.Iwantedtocreateascene,tobangonthedoor,tobreakitdown.Iwantedmyangertoconsumethebuilding.

           ButasIwalkedawayIfeltakindofsimmering,thencooling,andfinallyarelief.