Цветы для Элджернона

           Nowwegetmoreofthebrain-damagedcaseswhorequireconstantcustodialcare—butthehigh-moronscanmovearoundmorefreely,andafteraweekorsoontheoutsidemostofthemcomebackwhentheyfindthere’snothingforthemoutthere.Theworlddoesn’twantthemandtheysoonknowit."

           Wegotoutofthecarandwalkedovertooneofthecottages.Inside,thewallswerewhitetile,andthebuildinghadadisinfectantsmelltoit.Thefirst-floorlobbyopeneduptoarecreationroomfilledwithsomeseventy-fiveboyssittingaroundwaitingforthelunchbelltobesounded."Whatcaughtmyeyeimmediatelywasoneofthebiggerboysonachairinthecorner,cradlingoneoftheotherboys—fourteenorfifteenyearsold—cuddlinghiminhisarms.Theyallturnedtolookasweentered,andsomeofthebolderonescameoverandstaredatme.

           "Don’tmindthem,"hesaid,seeingmyexpression."Theywon’thurtyou."

           Thewomaninchargeofthefloor,alarge-boned,handsomewoman,withrolledupshirtsleevesandadenimapronoverherstarchedwhiteskirt,cameuptous.Atherbeltwasaringofkeysthatjangledasshemoved,andonlywhensheturneddidIseethattheleftsideofherfacewascoveredbyalarge,wine-coloredbirthmark.

           "Didn’texpectanycompanytoday,Ray,"shesaid."YouusuallybringyourvisitorsonThursdays."

           "ThisisMr.Gordon,Thelma,fromBeekmanUniver­sity.Hejustwantstolookaroundandgetanideaoftheworkwe’redoinghere.Iknewitwouldn’tmakeanydiffer­encewithyou,Thelma.Anydayisallrightwithyou.