Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Well,I’mjusttryingtohelp."

           SheswungbacktoBilly.Hewasconcentratingongettingtohisfeet.Herolledoverandcametohisknees,buttintheairlikeacowgettingup,thenpusheduponhishands,thencametoonefoot,thentheother,andstraightened.Helookedpleasedwithhissuccess,asifhewasn’tevenawareofuscrowdingatthedoorteasinghimandhoorahinghim.

           Theloudtalkandlaughterswirledaroundthenurse.ShelookedfromBillyandthegirltothebunchofusbehindher.Theenamel-and-plasticfacewascavingin.Sheshuthereyesandstrainedtocalmhertrembling,concentrating.Sheknewthiswasit,herbacktothewall.Whenhereyesopenedagain,theywereverysmallandstill.

           "Whatworriesme,Billy,"shesaid—Icouldhearthechangeinhervoice—"ishowyourpoormotherisgoingtotakethis."

           Shegottheresponseshewasafter.Billyflinchedandputhishandtohischeeklikehe’dbeenburnedwithacid.

           "Mrs.Bibbit’salwaysbeensoproudofyourdiscretion.Iknowshehas.Thisisgoingtodisturbherterribly.Youknowhowsheiswhenshegetsdisturbed,Billy;youknowhowillthepoorwomancanbecome.She’sverysensitive.Especiallyconcerningherson.Shealwaysspokesoproudlyofyou.Sheal—"

           "Nuh!Nuh!"Hismouthwasworking.Heshookhishead,beggingher."Youd-don’tn-n-need!"

           "BillyBillyBilly,"shesaid."YourmotherandIareoldfriends."

           "No!"hecried.Hisvoicescrapedthewhite,barewallsoftheSeclusionRoom.