Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 13
Isellbarbershopsupplies,butwhateverIhaveI’llbegladto—"
"JustonethingImustinsiston,"saysGuarino,pursinghislipsasifmakingadecision."Oncewestart,thetreatmentmustcontinuealltheway.Incasesofthistype,theresultsoftencomesuddenlyafterlongmonthswithoutanysignofimprovement.NotthatIampromisingyousuccess,mindyou.Nothingisguaranteed.Butyoumustgivethetreatmentachance,otherwiseyou’rebetteroffnotstartingatall."
Hefrownsatthemtolethiswarningsinkin,andhisbrowsarewhiteshadesfromunderwhichhisbrightblueeyesstare."Now,ifyou’lljuststepoutsideandletmeexaminetheboy."
MatthesitatestoleaveCharliealonewithhim,butGuarinonods."Thisisthebestway,"hesays,usheringthembothoutsidetothewaitingroom."TheresultsarealwaysmoresignificantifthepatientandIarealonewhenthepsychosubstantiationtestsareperformed.Externaldistractionshaveadeleteriouseffectontheramifiedscores."
Rosesmilesatherhusbandtriumphantly,andMattfollowshermeeklyoutside.
AlonewithCharlie,Dr.Guarinopatshimonthehead.Hehasakindlysmile.
"Okay,kid.Onthetable."
WhenCharliedoesn’trespond,heliftshimgentlyontotheleather-paddedtableandstrapshimdownsecurelywithheavywebbedstraps.Thetablesmellsofdeeplyingrainedsweat,andleather.
"Maaaa!"
"She’soutside.Don’tworry,Charlie.Thiswon’thurtabit."
"WantMa!"Charlieisconfusedatbeingrestrainedthisway.