Гроздья гнева

           Igottostaynow.TimebackImightofwent.Butnotnow.Fellagitstothinkin’,an’hegitstoknowin’.Iain’tnevergoin’."

           Thelightofthedawnwasalittlesharpernow.Itpaledthelanternsalittle.AlcamebackwithGrampastrugglingandlimpingbyhisside."Hewasn’tsleepin’,"Alsaid."Hewassettin’outbackofthebarn.They’ssomepinwrongwith’im."

           Grampa’seyeshaddulled,andtherewasnoneoftheoldmeannessinthem."Ain’tnothin’thematterwithme,"hesaid."Ijus’ain’ta-goin’."

           "Notgoin’?"Pademanded."Whatyoumeanyouain’ta-goin’?Why,herewe’reallpackedup,ready.Wegottogo.Wegotnoplacetostay."

           "Iain’tsayin’foryoutostay,"saidGrampa."Yougorightonalong.Me—I’mstayin’.Igiveheragoin’-overallnightmos’ly.Thishere’smycountry.Ib’longhere.An’Idon’tgiveagoddamnifthey’sorangesan’grapescrowdin’afellaoutabedeven.Iain’ta-goin’.Thiscountryain’tnogood,butit’smycountry.No,youallgoahead.I’lljus’stayrightherewhereIb’long."

           Theycrowdedneartohim.Pasaid,"Youcan’t,Grampa.Thisherelan’isgoin’underthetractors.Who’dcookforyou?How’dyoulive?Youcan’tstayhere.Why,withnobodytotakecareofyou,you’dstarve."

           Grampacried,"Goddamnit,I’maol’man,butIcanstilltakecareamyself.How’sMuleyheregetalong?Icangetalongasgoodashim.ItellyaIain’tgoin’,an’yacanlumpit.