Гроздья гнева
Chapter 10
Alsatbentoverthewheel,proudandseriousandefficient,andPaandUncleJohn,asbefittedtheheadsoftheclan,hadthehonorseatsbesidethedriver.Standinginthetruckbed,holdingontothebarsofthesides,rodetheothers,twelve-year-oldRuthieandten-year-oldWinfield,grime-facedandwild,theireyestiredbutexcited,theirfingersandtheedgesoftheirmouthsblackandstickyfromlicoricewhips,whinedoutoftheirfatherintown.Ruthie,dressedinarealdressofpinkmuslinthatcamebelowherknees,wasalittleseriousinheryoung-ladiness.ButWinfieldwasstillatrifleofasnot-nose,alittleofabrooderbackofthebarn,andaninveteratecollectorandsmokerofsnipes.AndwhereasRuthiefeltthemight,theresponsibility,andthedignityofherdevelopingbreasts,Winfieldwaskid-wildandcalfish.Besidethem,clinginglightlytothebars,stoodRoseofSharon,andshebalanced,swayingontheballsofherfeet,andtookuptheroadshockinherkneesandhams.ForRoseofSharonwaspregnantandcareful.Herhair,braidedandwrappedaroundherhead,madeanash-blondcrown.Herroundsoftface,whichhadbeenvoluptuousandinvitingafewmonthsago,hadalreadyputonthebarrierofpregnancy,theself-sufficientsmile,theknowingperfection-look;andherplumpbody—fullsoftbreastsandstomach,hardhipsandbuttocksthathadswungsofreelyandprovocativelyastoinviteslappingandstroking—herwholebodyhadbecomedemureandserious.Herwholethoughtandactionweredirectedinwardonthebaby.
