Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Preparingaricharrayofcharity—cannedgoods,cheeseforthebindingeffect,soap—andpresentingittosomepooryoungcouplehavingadifficulttimefinancially."Hishandsflashintheair,moldingthepictureheisdescribing."Ah,look:Theresheis,ournurse.Hergentleknockonthedoor.Theribbonedbasket.Theyoungcoupleoverjoyedtothepointofspeechlessness.Thehusbandopen-mouthed,thewifeweepingopenly.Sheappraisestheirdwelling.Promisestosendthemmoneyfor—scouringpowder,yes.Sheplacesthebasketinthecenterofthefloor.Andwhenourangelleaves—throwingkisses,smilingethereally—sheissointoxicatedwiththesweetmilkofhumankindnessthatherdeedhasgeneratedwithinherlargebosom,thatsheisbesideherselfwithgenerosity.Besideherself,doyouhear?Pausingatthedoor,shedrawsthetimidyoungbridetoonesideandoffershertwentydollarsofherown:‘Go,youpoorunfortunateunderfedchild,go,andbuyyourselfadecentdress.Irealizeyourhusbandcan’taffordit,buthere,takethis,andgo.’Andthecoupleisforeverindebtedtoherbenevolence."

           He’sbeentalkingfasterandfaster,thecordsstretchingoutinhisneck.Whenhestopstalking,thewardiscompletelysilent.Idon’thearanythingbutafaintreelingrhythm,whatIfigureisataperecordersomewheregettingallofthis.

           Hardinglooksaround,seeseverybody’swatchinghim,andhedoeshisbesttolaugh.Asoundcomesoutofhismouthlikeanailbeingcrowbarredoutofaplankofgreenpine;Eee-eee-eee.Hecan’tstopit.Hewringshishandslikeaflyandclincheshiseyesattheawfulsoundofthatsqueaking.Buthecan’tstopit.Itgetshigherandhigheruntilfinally,withasuckofbreath,heletshisfacefallintohiswaitinghands.