Цветы для Элджернона

           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.