Цветы для Элджернона

           UnderLouisXIVtables,aroundpottedpalms,upstairways,aroundcorners,downstairways,intothemainlobby,pickingupotherpeopleaswewent.Seeingthemallrunningbackandforthinthelobby,chasingawhitemousesmarterthanmanyofthem,wasthefunniestthingthathadhappenedinalongtime.

           "Goahead,laugh!"snortedNemur,whonearlybumpedintome,"butifwedon’tfindhim,thewholeex­perimentisindanger."

           IpretendedtobelookingforAlgernonunderawastebasket."Doyouknowsomething?"Isaid."You’vemadeamistake.Andaftertoday,maybeitjustwon’tmatteratall."

           Secondslater,halfadozenwomencamescreamingoutofthepowderroom,skirtsclutchedfranticallyaroundtheirlegs.

           "He’sinthere,"someoneyelled.Butforamoment,thesearchingcrowdwasstayedbythehandwritingonthewall—Ladies.Iwasthefirsttocrosstheinvisiblebarrierandenterthesacredgates.

           Algernonwasperchedontopofoneofthewash­basins,glaringathisreflectioninthemirror.

           "Comeon,"Isaid."We’llgetoutofheretogether."

           Heletmepickhimupandputhimintomyjacketpocket."StayintherequietlyuntilItellyou."

           Theotherscameburstingthroughtheswingingdoors—lookingguiltilyasiftheyexpectedtoseescream­ingnudefemales.Iwalkedoutastheysearchedthewash­room,andIheardBurt’svoice."There’saholeinthatventilator.Maybehewentupthere."

           "Findoutwhereitleadsto,"saidStrauss.

           "Yougouptothesecondfloor,"saidNemur,wavingtoStrauss."I’llgodowntothebasement."