Гроздья гнева

           Ifthebosswashere,he’dgotoapartsbookan’he’dfindouthowmuchisanewone,an’whileyouwasworkin’,he’dbefindin’outhowbadyou’rehungup,an’howmuchjackyagot,an’thenhe’d—well,sayit’seightbucksinthepartbook—he’dmakeapriceafivebucks.An’ifyouputupasquawk,you’dgetitforthree.Yousayit’sallme,but,byGod,he’sason-of-a-bitch.Figgershowbadyaneedit.Iseenhimgitmoreforaringgearthanhegiveforthewholecar."

           "Yeah!ButhowmuchamIgonnagiveyouforthishere?"

           "’Boutabuck,Iguess."

           "Awright,an’I’llgiveyaaquarterforthisheresocketwrench.Makeittwiceaseasy."Hehandedoverthesilver."Thankya.An’coverupthatgoddamneye."

           TomandAlgotintothetruck.Itwasdeepdark.Alstartedthemotorandturnedonthelights."Solong,"Tomcalled."SeeyamaybeinCalifornia."Theyturnedacrossthehighwayandstartedback.

           Theone-eyedmanwatchedthemgo,andthenhewentthroughtheironshedtohisshackbehind.Itwasdarkinside.Hefelthiswaytothemattressonthefloor,andhestretchedoutandcriedinhisbed,andthecarswhizzingbyonthehighwayonlystrengthenedthewallsofhisloneliness.

           Tomsaid,"Ifyou’dtol’mewe’dgetthisherethingan’getherintonight,I’dasaidyouwasnuts."

           "We’llgetherinawright,"saidAl."Yougottodoher,though.I’dbescaredI’dgethertootightan’she’dburnout,ortooloosean’she’dhammerout."