Гроздья гнева

           Wilsonstoodbyhisbrokencar,andSairyhadgonetothemattresstositbesideGranma,butSairywascarefulnottotouchher.

           Pacalled,"Mr.Wilson!"Themanscuffednearandsquatteddown,andSairycameandstoodbesidehim.Pasaid,"We’rethankfultoyoufolks."

           "We’reproudtohelp,"saidWilson.

           "We’rebeholdentoyou,"saidPa.

           "There’snobeholdeninatimeofdying,"saidWilson,andSairyechoedhim,"Nevernobeholden."

           Alsaid,"I’llfixyourcar—mean’Tomwill."AndAllookedproudthathecouldreturnthefamily’sobligation.

           "Wecouldusesomehelp."Wilsonadmittedtheretiringoftheobligation.

           Pasaid,"Wegottofiggerwhattodo.They’slaws.Yougottoreportadeath,an’whenyoudothat,theyeithertakefortydollarsfortheundertakerortheytakehimforapauper."

           UncleJohnbrokein,"Weneverdidhavenopaupers."Tomsaid,"Maybewegottolearn.Wenevergotbootedoffnolandbefore,neither."

           "Wedoneitclean,"saidPa."Therecan’tnoblamebelaidonus.Wenevertooknothin’wecouldn’pay;weneversufferednoman’scharity.WhenTomheregotintroublewecouldholdupourheads.Heonlydonewhatanymanwouldadone."

           "Thenwhat’llwedo?"UncleJohnasked.

           "Wegoinlikethelawsaysan’they’llcomeoutforhim.Weon’ygotahundredan’fiftydollars.TheytakefortytoburyGrampaan’wewon’tgettoCalifornia—orelsethey’llburyhimapauper.