Цветы для Элджернона

           LetherstartwithmeagainandI’lldomorethanjustwritetotheboardofeducation.I’llscratchthatdirtyslut’s

           eyesout.Charlie,whyareyoutwistinglikethat?Gotothebathroom.Gobyyourself.Youknowhowtogo."

           "Can’tyouseehewantsyoutotakehim?He’sfrightened."

           "Keepoutofthis.He’sperfectlycapableofgoingtothebathroomhimself.Thebooksaysitgiveshimconfi-denceandafeelingofachievement."

           Theterrorthatwaitsinthatcoldtileroomover­whelmshim.Heisafraidtogotherealone.Hereachesupforherhandandsobsout:"Toi—toi..."andsheslapshishandaway.

           "Nomore,"shesayssternly."You’reabigboynow.Youcangobyyourself.Nowmarchrightintothatbath­roomandpullyourpantsdownthewayItaughtyou.Iwarnyouifyoumakeinyourpantsyou’llgetspanked."

           Icanalmostfeelitnow,thestretchingandknottinginhisintestinesasthetwoofthemstandoverhimwaitingtoseewhathewilldo.Hiswhimperbecomesasoftcryingassuddenlyhecancontrolnolonger,andhesobsandcovershisfacewithhishandsashedirtieshimself.

           Itissoftandwarmandhefeelstheconfusionofreliefandfear.Itishis,butshewilltakeitawayfromhimasshealwaysdoes.Shewilltakeitawayandkeepitforherself.Andshewillspankhim.Shecomestowardhim,screamingthatheisabadboy,andCharlierunstohisfatherforhelp.

           Suddenly,IrememberthathernameisRoseandhisnameisMatt.It’soddtohaveforgottenyourparents’names