Цветы для Элджернона

           "What’sthematter?"Isaidashecaughtuptome."Areyoufollowingme?"

           Heshruggedandlaugheduncomfortably."ExhibitA,

           staroftheshow.Can’thaveyourundownbyoneofthesemotorizedChicagocowboysormuggedandrolledonStateStreet?"

           "Idon’tlikebeingkeptincustody."

           Heavoidedmygazeashewalkedbesideme,hishandsdeepinhispockets."Takeiteasy,Charlie.Theoldmanisonedge.Thisconventionmeansalottohim.Hisreputa­tionisatstake."

           "Ididn’tknowyouweresoclosetohim,"Itaunted,recallingallthetimesBurthadcomplainedaboutthepro­fessor’snarrownessandpushing.

           "I’mnotclosetohim."Helookedatmedefiantly."Buthe’sputhiswholelifeintothis.He’snoFreudorJungorPavlovorWatson,buthe’sdoingsomethingimportantandIrespecthisdedication—maybeevenmorebecausehe’sjustanordinarymantryingtodoagreatman’swork,whilethegreatmenareallbusymakingbombs."

           "I’dliketohearyoucallhimordinarytohisface."

           "Itdoesn’tmatterwhathethinksofhimself.Surehe’segotistic,sowhat?Ittakesthatkindofegotomakeamanattemptathinglikethis.I’veseenenoughofmenlikehimtoknowthatmixedinwiththatpompousnessandself-assertionisagoddamnedgoodmeasureofuncer­taintyandfear."

           "Andphoninessandshallowness,"Iadded."Iseethemnowastheyreallyare,phonies.IsuspecteditofNemur.Healwaysseemedfrightenedofsomething.ButStrausssur­prisedme."

           Burtpausedandletoutalongstreamofbreath.