Гроздья гнева

           An’ifyadogetme,IsweartoGodI’llwaittillyougotyourbackturned,oryou’resettin’down,an’I’llknockyoubelly-upwithabucket.IsweartoHolyJesus’sakeIwill."

           Palookedhelplesslyaboutthegroup."Shesassy,"hesaid."Ineverseenhersosassy."Ruthiegiggledshrilly.

           ThejackhandleflickedhungrilybackandforthinMa’shand."Comeon,"saidMa."Youmadeupyourmind.Comeonan’whupme.Jus’tryit.ButIain’ta-goin’;orifIdo,youain’tgonnagetnosleep,’causeI’llwaitan’I’llwait,an’jus’theminuteyoutakesleepinyoureyes,I’llslapyawithastickastovewood."

           "Sogoddamnsassy,"Pamurmured."An’sheain’tyoung,neither."

           Thewholegroupwatchedtherevolt.TheywatchedPa,waitingforhimtobreakintofury.Theywatchedhislaxhandstoseethefistsform.AndPa’sangerdidnotrise,andhishandshunglimplyathissides.AndinamomentthegroupknewthatMahadwon.AndMaknewittoo.

           Tomsaid,"Ma,what’seatin’onyou?Whatyawannadothis-a-wayfor?What’sthematter’thyouanyways?Yougonejohnrabbitonus?"

           Ma’sfacesoftened,buthereyeswerestillfierce."Youdonethis’thoutthinkin’much,"Masaid."Whatwegotlef’intheworl’?Nothin’butus.Nothin’butthefolks.Wecomeoutan’Grampahereachedfortheshovel-shelfrightoff.An’now,rightoff,youwannabustupthefolks—"

           Tomcried,"Ma,wegonnacatchupwithya.Wewasn’tgonnabegonelong."

           Mawavedthejackhandle.