Гроздья гнева

           MayberightatfirstwhileConnie’sstudyin’athomeitwon’tbeeasy,but—well,whenthebabycomes,maybehe’llbealldonestudyin’an’we’llhaveaplace,littlebitofaplace.Wedon’twantnothin’fancy,butwewantitniceforthebaby—"Herfaceglowedwithexcitement."An’Ithought—well,Ithoughtmaybewecouldallgointown,an’whenConniegetshisstore—maybeAlcouldworkforhim."

           Ma’seyeshadneverlefttheflushingface.Mawatchedthestructuregrowandfollowedit."Wedon’wantyoutogo’wayfromus,"shesaid."Itain’tgoodforfolkstobreakup."

           Alsnorted,"MeworkforConnie?HowaboutConniecomesa-workin’forme?Hethinkshe’stheon’yson-of-a-bitchcanstudyatnight?"

           Masuddenlyseemedtoknowitwasalladream.Sheturnedherheadforwardagainandherbodyrelaxed,butthelittlesmilestayedaroundhereyes."IwonderhowGranmafeelstoday,"shesaid.

           Algrewtenseoverthewheel.Alittlerattlehaddevelopedintheengine.Hespeededupandtherattleincreased.Heretardedhissparkandlistened,andthenhespeededupforamomentandlistened.Therattleincreasedtoametallicpounding.Alblewhishornandpulledthecartothesideoftheroad.Aheadthetruckpulledupandthenbackedslowly.Threecarsracedby,westward,andeachoneblewitshornandthelastdriverleanedoutandyelled,"Wherethehellyathinkyou’restoppin’?"

           Tombackedthetruckclose,andthenhegotoutandwalkedtothetouringcar.