Гроздья гнева

           Inthefardistance,wavedupagainstthesky,themountainsstood.Andthewheelsofthecarscreakedaround,andtheengineswerehot,andthesteamspurtedaroundtheradiatorcaps.TheycrawledtothePecosriver,andcrossedatSantaRosa.Andtheywentonfortwentymiles.

           AlJoaddrovethetouringcar,andhismothersatbesidehim,andRoseofSharonbesideher.Aheadthetruckcrawled.Thehotairfoldedinwavesovertheland,andthemountainsshiveredintheheat.Aldrovelistlessly,hunchedbackintheseat,hishandhookedeasilyoverthecross-barofthesteeringwheel;hisgrayhat,peakedandpulledtoanincrediblycockyshape,waslowoveroneeye;andashedrove,heturnedandspatoutthesidenowandthen.

           Ma,besidehim,hadfoldedherhandsinherlap,hadretiredintoaresistanceagainstweariness.Shesatloosely,lettingthemovementofthecarswayherbodyandherhead.Shesquintedhereyesaheadatthemountains.RoseofSharonwasbracedagainstthemovementofthecar,herfeetpushedtightagainstthefloor,andherrightelbowhookedoverthedoor.Andherplumpfacewastightagainstthemovement,andherheadjiggledsharplybecauseherneckmusclesweretight.Shetriedtoarchherwholebodyasarigidcontainertopreserveherfetusfromshock.Sheturnedherheadtowardhermother.

           "Ma,"shesaid.Ma’seyeslightedupandshedrewherattentiontowardRoseofSharon.Hereyeswentoverthetight,tired,plumpface,andshesmiled.