Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Herfacewasbloatedblueandoutofshapeononeside,closingoneeyecompletely,andshehadaheavybandagearoundherthroat.Andanewwhiteuniform.Someoftheguysgrinnedatthefrontofit;inspiteofitsbeingsmallerandtighterandmorestarchedthanherolduniforms,itcouldnolongerconcealthefactthatshewasawoman.

           Smiling,HardingsteppedupcloseandaskedwhathadbecomeofMack.

           Shetookalittlepadandpencilfromthepocketofheruniformandwrote,"Hewillbeback,"onitandpasseditaround.Thepapertrembledinherhand."Areyousure?"Hardingwantedtoknowafterhereadit.We’dheardallkindsofthings,thathe’dknockeddowntwoaidesonDisturbedandtakentheirkeysandescaped,thathe’dbeensentbacktotheworkfarm—eventhatthenurse,inchargenowtilltheygotanewdoctor,wasgivinghimspecialtherapy.

           "Areyouquitepositive?"Hardingrepeated.

           Thenursetookoutherpadagain.Shewasstiffinthejoints,andhermorethaneverwhitehandskitteredonthepadlikeoneofthosearcadegypsiesthatscratchoutfortunesforapenny."Yes,Mr.Harding,"shewrote."IwouldnotsaysoifIwasnotpositive.Hewillbeback."

           Hardingreadthepaper,thentoreitupandthrewthepiecesather.Sheflinchedandraisedherhandtoprotectthebruisedsideofherfacefromthepaper."Lady,Ithinkyou’refullofsomuchbullshit,"Hardingtoldher.