Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 9
Hewantstoaskthered-facedpeddler,withhisfingersstickingthroughthebrowncottongloves,ifhecanholdthetumblingbearforaminute,butheisafraid.Hepicksupthebundleofpaperbagsandputsitonhisshoulder.Heisskinnybutheisstrongfrommanyyearsofhardwork
"Charlie!Charlie!...fatheadbarley!"
Childrencirclearoundhimlaughingandteasinghimlikelittledogssnappingathisfeet.Charliesmilesatthem.Hewouldliketoputdownhisbundleandplaygameswiththem,butwhenhethinksaboutittheskinonhisbacktwitchesandhefeelsthewaytheolderboysthrowthingsathim.
Comingbacktothebakeryheseessomeboysstandinginthedoorofadarkhallway.
"Heylook,there’sCharlie!"
"Hey,Charlie."Whatyougotthere?Wanttoshootsomecraps?"
"C’mere.Wewon’thurtya."
Butthereissomethingaboutthedoorway—thedarkhall,thelaughing,thatmakeshisskintwitchagain.Hetriestoknowwhatitisbutallhecanrememberistheirdirtandpissalloverhisclothes,andUncleHermanshoutingwhenhecamehomeallcoveredwithfilth,andhowUncleHermanranoutwithahammerinhishandtofindtheboyswhodidthattohim.Charliebacksawayfromtheboyslaughinginthehallway,dropsthebundle.Picksitupagainandrunstherestofthewaytothebakery.
"Whattookyousolong,Charlie?"shoutsGimpyfromthedoorwaytothebackofthebakery.
Charliepushesthroughtheswingingdoorstothebackofthebakeryandsetsdownthebundleononeoftheskids.
