Цветы для Элджернона

           Heringsthebelltwiceandrunsacrossthestreettohidebehindthetree.

           "WhenHarrietcomesdownshelooksaroundtoseewhorangthebell.Thensheseesthepackage.Shetakesitandgoesupstairs.Charliegoeshomefromschoolandhegetsaspankingbecausehetookthetissuepaperandrib­bonoutofhismother’sdrawerwithouttellingher.Buthedoesn’tcare.TomorrowHarrietwillwearthelocketandtellalltheboyshegaveittoher.Thenthey’llsee.

           Thenextdayherunsallthewaytoschool,butit’stooearly.Harrietisn’tthereyet,andhe’sexcited.

           ButwhenHarrietcomesinshedoesn’tevenlookathim.Sheisn’twearingthelocket.Andshelookssore.

           HedoesallkindsofthingswhenMrs.Jansonisn’twatching:Hemakesfunnyfaces.Helaughsoutloud.Hestandsuponhisseatandwiggleshisfanny.HeeventhrowsapieceofchalkatHarold.ButHarrietdoesn’tlookathimevenonce.Maybesheforgot.Maybeshe’llwearittomorrow.Shepassesbyinthehallway,butwhenhecomesovertoaskhershepushespasthimwithoutsayingaword.

           Downintheschoolyardhertwobigbrothersarewait­ingforhim.

           Guspusheshim."Youlittlebastard,didyouwritethisdirtynotetomysister?"

           Charliesayshedidn’twriteanydirtynotes."Ijustgaveheravalentime."

           Oscarwhowasonthefootballteambeforehegradu­atedfromhighschoolgrabsCharlie’sshirtandtearsofftwobuttons."Youkeepawayfrommykidsister,youde­generate.Youdon’tbelonginthisschoolanyway."