Гроздья гнева
Chapter 10
Shebalancedonhertoesnow,forthebaby’ssake.Andtheworldwaspregnanttoher;shethoughtonlyintermsofreproductionandofmotherhood.Connie,hernineteen-year-oldhusband,whohadmarriedaplump,passionatehoyden,wasstillfrightenedandbewilderedatthechangeinher;fortherewerenomorecatfightsinbed,bitingandscratchingwithmuffledgigglesandfinaltears.Therewasabalanced,careful,wisecreaturewhosmiledshylybutveryfirmlyathim.ConniewasproudandfearfulofRoseofSharon.
Wheneverhecould,heputahandonherorstoodclose,sothathisbodytouchedherathipandshoulder,andhefeltthatthiskeptarelationthatmightbedeparting.Hewasasharp-faced,leanyoungmanofaTexasstrain,andhispaleblueeyesweresometimesdangerousandsometimeskindly,andsometimesfrightened.Hewasagoodhardworkerandwouldmakeagoodhusband.Hedrankenough,butnottoomuch;foughtwhenitwasrequiredofhim;andneverboasted.Hesatquietlyinagatheringandyetmanagedtobethereandtoberecognized.
Hadhenotbeenfiftyyearsold,andsooneofthenaturalrulersofthefamily,UncleJohnwouldhavepreferrednottositinthehonorplacebesidethedriver.HewouldhavelikedRoseofSharontositthere.Thiswasimpossible,becauseshewasyoungandawoman.ButUncleJohnsatuneasily,hislonelyhauntedeyeswerenotatease,andhisthinstrongbodywasnotrelaxed.NearlyallthetimethebarrieroflonelinesscutUncleJohnofffrompeopleandfromappetites.Heatelittle,dranknothing,andwascelibate.
