Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 13
"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.