Цветы для Элджернона

           Hehaddeliberatelyunderchargedthecustomer,andtherehadbeenanunderstandingbetweenthem.

           Ileanedlimplyagainstthewallnotknowingwhattodo.GimpyhadworkedforMr.Donnerforoverfifteenyears.Donner—whoalwaystreatedhisworkerslikeclosefriends,likerelatives—hadinvitedGimpy’sfamilytohishousefordinnermorethanonce.HeoftenputGimpyinchargeoftheshopwhenhehadtogoout,andIhadheardstoriesofthetimesDonnergaveGimpymoneytopayhiswife’shospitalbills.

           Itwasincrediblethatanyonewouldstealfromsuchaman.Therehadtobesomeotherexplanation.Gimpyhadreallymadeamistakeinringingupthesale,andthehalf-dollarwasatip.OrperhapsMr.Donnerhadmadesomespecialarrangementforthisonecustomerwhoreg­ularlyboughtcreamcakes.AnythingratherthanbelievethatGimpywasstealing.Gimpyhadalwaysbeensonicetome.

           Inolongerwantedtoknow.IkeptmyeyesavertedfromtheregisterasIbroughtoutthetrayofeclairsandsortedoutthecookies,buns,andcakes.

           Butwhenthelittlered-hairedwomancamein—theonewhoalwayspinchedmycheekandjokedaboutfind­ingagirlfriendforme—IrecalledthatshecameinmostoftenwhenDonnerwasouttolunchandGimpywasbe­hindthecounter.Gimpyhadoftensentmeouttodeliverorderstoherhouse.

           Involuntarily,mymindtotaledherpurchasesto$4.53.ButIturnedawaysothatIwouldnotseewhatGimpyranguponthecashregister.Iwantedtoknowthetruth,andyetIwasafraidofwhatImightlearn.

           "Twoforty-five,Mrs.