Цветы для Элджернона

           "Ifindthefloormorecomfortablethanchairs,"shesaid,sippingthebeerfromthecan."Don’tyou?"

           ItoldherIhadn’tthoughtaboutit,andshelaughedandsaidIhadanhonestface.Shewasinthemoodtotalkaboutherself.SheavoidedGreenwichVillage,shesaid,be­causethere,insteadofpainting,shewouldbespendingallhertimeinbarsandcoffeeshops."It’sbetteruphereawayfromthephoniesandthedilettantes.HereIcandowhatIwantandnoonecomestosneer.You’renotasneerer,areyou?"

           Ishrugged,tryingnottonoticethegrittydustallovermytrousersandmyhands."Iguessweallsneeratsome­thing.You’resneeringatthephoniesanddilettantes,aren’tyou?"

           Afterawhile,IsaidI’dbetterbegettingovertomyownapartment.Shepushedapileofbooksawayfromthewindow—andIclimbedovernewspapersandpaperbagsfilledwithemptyquartbeerbottles."Oneofthesedays,"shesighed,"I’vegottocashthemin."

           Iclimbedontothewindowsillandouttothefirees­cape.WhenIgotmywindowopen,Icamebackformygroceries,butbeforeIcouldsaythanksandgood-bye,shestartedoutontothefireescapeafterme."Let’sseeyourplace.I’veneverbeenthere.Beforeyoumovedin,thetwolittleoldWagnersisterswouldn’tevensaygoodmorningtome."Shecrawledthroughmywindowbehindmeandsatontheledge.

           "Comeonin,"Isaid,puttingthegroceriesonthetable.

           "Idon’thaveanybeer,butIcanmakeyouacupofcoffee."Butshewaslookingpastme,hereyeswideindisbelief.