Цветы для Элджернона

           Shetapped,pushedopenthehalf-openwindowandcamewaltzingintotheroomwithabottleinherhand.

           "Crashingtheparty,"shesaid."Broughtmyownrefreshments."

           IhadtoldheraboutAliceworkingontheprojectattheuniversity,andIhadmentionedFaytoAliceearlier—sotheyweren’tsurprisedtomeet.Butafterafewsecondsofsizingeachotherup,theystartedtalkingaboutartandme,andforalltheycaredIcouldhavebeenanywhereelseintheworld.Theylikedeachother.

           "I’llgetthecoffee,"Isaid,andwanderedouttothekitchentoleavethemalone.

           WhenIcameback,Fayhadtakenoffhershoesandwassittingonthefloor,sippingginoutofthebottle.ShewasexplainingtoAlicethatasfarasshewasconcernedtherewasnothingmorevaluabletothehumanbodythansunbathing,andthatnudistcoloniesweretheanswertotheworld’smoralproblems.

           AlicewaslaughinghystericallyatFay’ssuggestionthatwealljoinanudistcolony,andsheleanedoverandac­ceptedadrinkthatFaypouredforher.

           Wesatandtalkeduntildawn,andIinsistedonseeingAlicehome.Whensheprotestedthatitwasn’tnecessary,Fayinsistedthatshewouldbeafooltogooutaloneinthecityatthishour.SoIwentdownandhailedacab.

           "There’ssomethingabouther,"saidAliceonthewayhome."Idon’tknowwhatitis.Herfrankness,heropentrust,herunselfishness..."

           Iagreed.

           "Andshelovesyou,"saidAlice.

           "No.Sheloveseveryone,"Iinsisted.I’mjusttheneighboracrossthehall."

           "Aren’tyouinlovewithher?"

           Ishookmyhead.