Цветы для Элджернона

           BeforeNorma...

           "Areyoutworeadyyet?"Hisfathercomestothedoorway,heavy,especiallyinthesaggingfleshinessofhisfaceandneck.Hehasatiredlook"Isaid,areyouready?"

           "Justaminute,"answersRose."I’mgettingmyhaton.Seeifhisshirtisbuttoned,andtiehisshoelaces."

           "Comeon,let’sgetthisthingoverwith."

           "Where?"asksCharlie."Where...Charlie...go?"

           Hisfatherlooksathimandfrowns.MattGordonneverknowshowtoreacttohisson’squestions.

           Roseappearsinthedoorwayofherbedroom,adjust­ingthehalf-veilofherhat.Sheisabirdlikewoman,andherarms—uptoherhead,elbowsout—looklikewings."We’regoingtothedoctorwhoisgoingtohelpyougetsmart."

           Theveilmakesitlookasifshewerepeeringdownathimthroughawirescreen.Heisalwaysfrightenedwhentheydressuptogooutthisway,becauseheknowshewillhavetomeetotherpeopleandhismotherwillbecomeupsetandangry.

           Hewantstorun,butthereisnoplaceforhimtogo.

           "Whydoyouhavetotellhimthat?"saidMatt.

           "Becauseit’sthetruth.Dr.Guarinocanhelphim."

           Mattpacesthefloorlikeamanwhohasgivenuphopebutwillmakeonelastattempttoreason."Howdoyouknow?Whatdoyouknowaboutthisman?Iftherewasanythingthatcouldbedone,thedoctorswouldhavetolduslongago."

           "Don’tsaythat,"shescreeches."Don’ttellmethere’snothingtheycando."ShegrabsCharlieandpresseshisheadagainstherbosom."He’sgoingtobenormal,what­everwehavetodo,whateveritcosts.