Цветы для Элджернона

           Sheneverteaseshimliketheotherkids,andhedoestricksforher.Hewalksonthedeskswhentheteacherisn’tthere.Hethrowserasersoutthewindow,scribblesallovertheblackboardandwalls.AndHarrietalwaysscreechesandgiggles,"Oh,lookitCharlie.Ain’thefunny?Oh,ain’thesilly?"

           It’sValentine’sDay,andtheboysaretalkingaboutvalentinesthey’regoingtogiveHarriet,soCharliesays,"I’mgonnagiveHarrietavalentimetoo."

           TheylaughandBarrysays,"Whereyougonnagetavalentime?"

           "I’mgonnagetheraprettyone.You’llsee."

           Buthedoesn’thaveanymoneyforavalentine,sohedecidestogiveHarriethislocketthatisheart-shapedlikethevalentinesinthestorewindows.Thatnighthetakestissuepaperfromhismother’sdrawer,andittakesalongtimetowrapandtieitwithapieceofredribbon.ThenhetakesittoHymieRoththenextdayduringlunchperiodinschoolandasksHymietowriteonthepaperforhim.

           HetellsHymietowrite:"DearHarriet,Ithinkyouarethemostprettiestgirlinthewholeworld.IlikeyouverymuchandIloveyou.Iwantyoutobemyvalentime.Yourfriend,CharlieGordon."

           Hymieprintsverycarefullyinlargelettersonthepaper,laughingallthetime,andhetellsCharlie,"Boy,thiswillknockhereyesout.Wait’llsheseesthis."

           Charlieisscared,buthewantstogiveHarrietthatlocket,sohefollowsherhomefromschoolandwaitsuntilshegoesintoherhouse.Thenhesneaksintothehallandhangsthepackageontheinsideofthedoorknob.