Цветы для Элджернона

           Suddenly,Ihadbecomeclumsyandawkwardagain,andwhenItriedtoapologizeIfoundmytonguehadbecometoolargeformymouth.

           "That’sallright,Charlie,"shetriedtoreassureme."It’sonlywater.Don’tletitupsetyouthisway."

           Inthetaxionthewayhome,weweresilentforalongtime,andthensheputdownherpurseandstraightenedmytieandpuffedupmybreastpockethandkerchief."Youwereveryupsettonight,Charlie."

           "Ifeelridiculous."

           "Iupsetyoubytalkingaboutit.Imadeyouself-conscious."

           "It’snotthat.WhatbothersmeisthatIcan’tputintowordsthewayIfeel."

           "Thesefeelingsarenewtoyou.Noteverythinghasto...beputintowords."

           Imovedclosertoherandtriedtotakeherhandagain,butshepulledaway."No,Charlie.Idon’tthinkthisisgoodforyou.I’veupsetyou,anditmighthaveanegativeeffect."

           Whensheputmeoff,Ifeltawkwardandridiculousatthesametime.ItmademeangrywithmyselfandIpulledbacktomysideoftheseatandstaredoutthewindow.IhatedherasIhadneverhatedanyonebefore—withhereasyanswersandmaternalfussing.Iwantedtoslapherface,tomakehercrawl,andthentoholdherinmyarmsandkissher.

           "Charlie,I’msorryifI’veupsetyou."

           "Forgetit."

           "Butyou’vegottounderstandwhat’shappening."

           "Iunderstand,"Isaid,"andI’drathernottalkaboutit."

           BythetimethecabreachedherapartmentonSeventy-seventhStreet,Iwasthoroughlymiserable.

           "Look,"shesaid,"thisismyfault.Ishouldn’thavegoneoutwithyoutonight."