Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 16
"Issheyouronlychild?Don’tyouhaveanyotherchildren?"
Shestarted,andthenhereyeslookedfaraway."Ihadaboy.Sobrilliantthatalltheothermotherswerejealousofhim.Andtheyputtheevileyeonhim.TheycalledittheI.Q.butitwastheevilI.Q.Hewouldhavebeenagreatman,ifnotforthat.Hewasreallyverybright—exceptional,theysaid.Hecouldhavebeenagenius..."
Shepickedupascrubbrush."Excusemenow.I’vegottogetthingsready.Mydaughterhasayoungmancomingfordinner,andI’vegottogetthisplaceclean."Shegotdownonherkneesandstartedtoscrubthealreadyshiningfloor.Shedidn’tlookupagain.
Shewasmutteringtoherselfnow,andIsatdownatthekitchentable.Iwouldwaituntilshecameoutofit,untilsherecognizedmeandunderstoodwhoIwas.Icouldn’tleaveuntilsheknewthatIwasherCharlie.Somebodyhadtounderstand.
Shehadstartedhummingsadlytoherself,butshestopped,herragpoisedmidwaybetweenthebucketandthefloor,asifsuddenlyawareofmypresencebehindher.
Sheturned,herfacetiredandhereyesglistening,andcockedherhead."Howcoulditbe?Idon’tunderstand.Theytoldmeyoucouldneverbechanged."
"Theyperformedanoperationonme,andthatchangedme.I’mfamousnow.They’veheardofmeallover
theworld.I’mintelligentnow,Mom.Icanreadandwrite,andIcan—"
"ThankGod,"shewhispered."Myprayers—alltheseyearsIthoughtHedidn’thearme,butHewaslisteningallthetime,justwaitingHisowngoodtimetodoHiswill."
