Цветы для Элджернона

           Wheeler,"hesaid.

           Theringofthesale.Thecountingofchange.Theslamofthedrawer."Thankyou,Mrs.Wheeler."Iturnedjustintimetoseehimputtinghishandintohispocket,andIheardthefaintclinkofcoins.

           Howmanytimeshadheusedmeasago-betweentodeliverpackagestoher,undercharginghersothatlatertheycouldsplitthedifference?Hadheusedmealltheseyearstohelphimsteal?

           Icouldn’ttakemyeyesoffGimpyasheclompedaroundbehindthecounter,perspirationstreamingdownfromunderhispapercap.Heseemedanimatedandgood-natured,butlookinguphecaughtmyeye,frownedandturnedaway.

           Iwantedtohithim.Iwantedtogobehindthecounterandsmashhisfacein.Idon’tremembereverhat­inganyonebefore—butthismorningIhatedGimpywithallmyheart.

           Pouringthisalloutonpaperinthequietofmyroomhasnothelped.EverytimeIthinkofGimpystealingfromMr.DonnerIwanttosmashsomething.Fortunately,Idon’tthinkI’mcapableofviolence.IdontthinkIeverhitanyoneinmylife.

           ButIstillhavetodecidewhattodo.TellDonnerthathistrustedemployeehasbeenstealingfromhimalltheseyears?Gimpywoulddenyit,andIcouldneverproveitwastrue.AndwhatwoulditdotoMr.Donner?

           Idon’tknowwhattodo.

           May9

           Ican’tsleep.Thishasgottentome.IoweMr.Donnertoomuchtostandbyandseehimrobbedthisway.I’dbeasguiltyasGimpybymysilence.