Цветы для Элджернона

           Shedidn’trecognizemeatfirst—itwasdim,thelightshadn’tbeenturnedon.Puttingdowntheshoppingbagshewascarrying,sheswitchedonthelight."Whoareyou?..."ButbeforeIcouldanswer,herhandwentoverhermouth,andsheslumpedbackagainstthedoor.

           "Charlie!"Shesaiditthesamewaymymotherhad,gasping.Andshelookedthewaymymotherusedtolook—thin,sharpfeatures,birdlike,pretty."Charlie!MyGod,whatashock!Youmighthavegottenintouchandwarnedme.Youshouldhavecalled.Idon’tknowwhattosay..."Shelookedatmymother,sittingonthefloornearthesink."Issheallright?Youdidn’tshockheroranything..."

           "Shecameoutofitforawhile."Wehadalittletalk"

           "I’mglad.Shedoesn’tremembermuchthesedays.It’soldage—senility.Dr.Portmanwantsmetoputherintoanursinghome,butIcan’tdoit.Ican’tstandtothinkofherinoneofthoseinstitutions."Sheopenedthebedroomdoortoletthedogout,andwhenhejumpedandwhinedjoyously,shepickedhimupandhuggedhim."Ijustcan’tdothattomyownmother."Thenshesmiledatmeuncer­tainly."Well,whatasurprise.Ineverdreamed.Letmelookatyou.Ineverwouldhaverecognizedyou.I’dhavepassedyoubyinthestreet.Sodifferent."Shesighed."I’mgladtoseeyou,Charlie."

           "Areyou?Ididn’tthinkyou’dwanttoseemeagain."

           "Oh,Charlie!"Shetookmyhandsinhers."Don’tsaythat.Iamgladtoseeyou.I’vebeenexpectingyou.Ididn’tknowwhen,butIknewsomedayyou’dcomeback.