Гроздья гнева

           We’llhe’pyouover."

           WithoutwarningGrampabegantocry.Hischinwaveredandhisoldlipstightenedoverhismouthandhesobbedhoarsely.Marushedovertohimandputherarmsaroundhim.Sheliftedhimtohisfeet,herbroadbackstraining,andshehalflifted,halfhelpedhimintothetent.

           UncleJohnsaid,"Hemustbegoodan’sick.Heain’tneverdonethatbefore.Neverseenhimblubberin’inmylife."Hejumpeduponthetruckandtossedamattressdown.

           MacameoutofthetentandwenttoCasy."Youbeenaroun’sickpeople,"shesaid."Grampa’ssick.Won’tyougotakealookathim?"

           Casywalkedquicklytothetentandwentinside.Adoublemattresswasontheground,theblanketsspreadneatly;andalittletinstovestoodonironlegs,andthefireinitburnedunevenly.Abucketofwater,awoodenboxofsupplies,andaboxforatable,thatwasall.Thelightofthesettingsuncamepinklythroughthetentwalls.SairyWilsonkneltontheground,besidethemattress,andGrampalayonhisback.Hiseyeswereopen,staringupward,andhischeekswereflushed.Hebreathedheavily.

           Casytooktheskinnyoldwristinhisfingers."Feelingkindatired,Grampa?"heasked.Thestaringeyesmovedtowardhisvoicebutdidnotfindhim.Thelipspracticedaspeechbutdidnotspeakit.CasyfeltthepulseandhedroppedthewristandputhishandonGrampa’sforehead.Astrugglebeganintheoldman’sbody,hislegsmovedrestlesslyandhishandsstirred.