Цветы для Элджернона

           Iknowthingsevencollegeprofessorsdon’tknow.Talktome!Youcanbeproudofmenowandtellalltheneighbors.Youdon’thavetohidemeinthecellarwhencompanycomes.Justtalktome.Tellmeaboutthings,thewayitwaswhenIwasalittleboy,that’sallIwant.Iwon’thurtyou.Idon’thateyou.ButI’vegottoknowaboutmy­self,tounderstandmyselfbeforeit’stoolate.Dontyousee,Ican’tbeacompletepersonunlessIcanunderstandmyself,andyou’retheonlyoneintheworldwhocanhelpmenow.Letmecomeinandsitdownforalittlewhile."

           ItwasthewayIspokeratherthanwhatIsaidthathypnotizedher.Shestoodthereinthedoorwayandstaredatme.Withoutthinking,Ipulledmybloodyhandoutofmypocketandclencheditinmypleading.Whenshesawitherexpressionsoftened.

           "Youhurtyourself..."Shedidn’tnecessarilyfeelsorryforme.Itwasthesortofthingshemighthavefeltforadogthathadtornitspaw,oracatthathadbeengashedinafight.Itwasn’tbecauseIwasherCharlie,butinspiteofit.

           "Comeinandwashit.I’vegotsomebandageandiodine."

           IfollowedhertothecrackedsinkwiththecorrugateddrainboardatwhichshehadsooftenwashedmyfaceandhandsafterIcameinfromthebackyard,orwhenIwasreadytoeatorgotosleep.Shewatchedmerollupmysleeves."Youshouldn’thavebrokethewindow.Theland­lord’sgonnabesore,andIdon’thaveenoughmoneytopayforit."Then,asifimpatientwiththewayIwasdoingit,shetookthesoapfrommeandwashedmyhand.