Цветы для Элджернона

           "Therealproblemisconvincingtheboardthatthiskindofresearchhaspracticalvalue."

           Straussshookhishead."ThepointI’vebeentryingtomakeisthatthismoneyisintendedforresearch.Noonecaneverknowinadvanceifaprojectisgoingtoresultinsomethinguseful.Resultsareoftennegative.Welearnwhatsomethingisnot—andthatisasimportantasapos­itivediscoverytothemanwhoisgoingtopickupfromthere.Atleastheknowswhatnottodo."

           AsIapproachedthegroup,InoticedRaynor’swife,towhomIhadbeenintroducedearlier.Shewasabeautiful,dark-hairedwomanofthirtyorso.Shewasstaringatme,orratheratthetopofmyhead—asifsheexpectedsome­thingtosprout.Istaredback,andshegotuncomfortableandturnedbacktoDr.Strauss."Butwhataboutthepres­entproject?Doyouanticipatebeingabletousethesetech­niquesonotherretardates?Isthissomethingtheworldwillbeabletouse?"

           Straussshruggedandnoddedtowardsme."Stilltooearlytotell.YourhusbandhelpedusputCharlietoworkontheproject,andagreatdealdependsonwhathecomesupwith."

           "Ofcourse,"Mr.Raynorputin,"weallunderstandthenecessityforpureresearchinfieldslikeyours.Butitwouldbesuchaboontoourimageifwecouldproduceareallyworkablemethodforachievingpermanentresultsoutsidethelaboratory,ifwecouldshowtheworldthatthereissometangiblegoodcomingoutofit."

           Istartedtospeak,butStrauss,whomusthavesensedwhatIwasgoingtosay,stoodupandputhisarmonmyshoulder.