Гроздья гнева

           Maeheldthebigsticksout.

           "Take’em,"saidtheman.

           Theyreachedtimidly,eachtookastick,andtheyheldthemdownattheirsidesanddidnotlookatthem.Buttheylookedateachother,andtheirmouthcornerssmiledrigidlywithembarrassment.

           "Thankyou,ma’am."Themanpickedupthebreadandwentoutthedoor,andthelittleboysmarchedstifflybehindhim,thered-stripedsticksheldtightlyagainsttheirlegs.Theyleapedlikechipmunksoverthefrontseatandontothetopoftheload,andtheyburrowedbackoutofsightlikechipmunks.

           Themangotinandstartedhiscar,andwitharoaringmotorandacloudofblueoilysmoketheancientNashclimbeduponthehighwayandwentonitswaytothewest.

           FrominsidetherestaurantthetruckdriversandMaeandAlstaredafterthem.

           BigBillwheeledback."Themwasn’ttwo-for-a-centcandy,"hesaid.

           "What’sthattoyou?"Maesaidfiercely.

           "Themwasnickelapiececandy,"saidBill.

           "Wegottogetgoin’,"saidtheotherman."We’redroppin’time."

           Theyreachedintheirpockets.Billputacoinonthecounterandtheothermanlookedatitandreachedagainandputdownacoin.Theyswungaroundandwalkedtothedoor.

           "Solong,"saidBill.

           Maecalled,"Hey!Waitaminute.Yougotchange."

           "Yougotohell,"saidBill,andthescreendoorslammed.

           Maewatchedthemgetintothegreattruck,watcheditlumberoffinlowgear,andheardtheshiftupthewhininggearstocruisingratio."Al—"shesaidsoftly.