Цветы для Элджернона

           Therestofitdidn’tmatteraslongasthiswassafe.Youhadtofacetherestoftheworld."

           "Whydidtheysendyouaway,Charlie?Whycouldn’tyouhavestayedhereandlivedwithus?Ialwayswonderedaboutthat.EverytimeIaskedher,shealwayssaiditwasforyourowngood."

           "Inawayshewasright."

           Sheshookherhead."Shesentyouawaybecauseofme,didn’tshe?Oh,Charlie,whydidithavetobe?Whydidallthishappentous?"

           Ididn’tknowwhattotellher.IwishedIcouldsaythatliketheHouseofAtreusorCadmusweweresufferingforthesinsofourforefathers,orfulfillinganancientGreekoracle.ButIhadnoanswersforher,orformyself.

           "It’spast,"Isaid."I’mgladImetyouagain.Itmakesitalittleeasier."

           Shegrabbedmyarmsuddenly."Charlie,youdon’tknowwhatI’vebeenthroughalltheseyearswithher.Theapartment,thisstreet,myjob.It’sallbeenanightmare,cominghomeeachday,wonderingifshe’sstillhere,ifshe’sharmedherself,guiltyforthinkingaboutthingslikethat."

           Istoodupandletherrestagainstmyshoulder,andshewept."Oh,Charlie.I’mgladyou’rebacknow.We’veneededsomeone.I’msotired...."

           Ihaddreamedofatimelikethis,butnowthatitwashere,whatgoodwasit?Icouldn’ttellherwhatwasgoingtohappentome.Andyet,couldIacceptheraffectiononfalsepretenses?Whykidmyself?IfIhadstillbeentheold,feeble-minded,dependentCharlie,shewouldn’thavespo­kentomethesameway.