Гроздья гнева

           Andsheknewthiswasthegreattimeinherlifesofar.

           Theadultsmovedtowardthelightedkitchenthroughthedeepdusk,andMaservedthemgreensandside-meatintinplates.ButbeforeMaate,sheputthebigroundwashtubonthestoveandstartedthefiretoroaring.Shecarriedbucketsofwateruntilthetubwasfull,andthenaroundthetubsheclusteredthebuckets,fullofwater.Thekitchenbecameaswampofheat,andthefamilyatehurriedly,andwentouttositonthedoorstepuntilthewatershouldgethot.Theysatlookingoutatthedark,atthesquareoflightthekitchenlanternthrewonthegroundoutsidethedoor,withahunchedshadowofGrampainthemiddleofit.Noahpickedhisteeththoroughlywithabroomstraw.MaandRoseofSharonwashedupthedishesandpiledthemonthetable.

           Andthen,allofasudden,thefamilybegantofunction.Pagotupandlightedanotherlantern.Noahfromaboxinthekitchen,broughtoutthebow-bladedbutcheringknifeandwhetteditonawornlittlecarborundumstone.Andhelaidthescraperonthechoppingblock,andtheknifebesideit.Pabroughttwosturdysticks,eachthreefeetlong,andpointedtheendswiththeax,andhetiedstrongropes,doublehalf-hitched,tothemiddleofthesticks.

           Hegrumbled,"Shouldn’tofsoldthosesingletrees—allof’em."Thewaterinthepotssteamedandrolled.

           Noahasked,"Gonnatakethewaterdownthereorbringthepigsuphere?"

           "Pigsuphere,"saidPa."Youcan’tspillapigandscaldyourselflikeyoucanhotwater.