Гроздья гнева

           "I’llstickherin,"saidTom."Ifshegoesoutagain,shegoesout.Igotnothin’tolose."

           Alpeeredintothedusk.Thelightsmadenoimpressiononthegloom;butahead,theeyesofahuntingcatflashedgreeninreflectionofthelights."Yousuregivethatfellahell,"Alsaid."Suredidtellhimwheretolaydownhisdogs."

           "Well,goddamnit,hewasaskin’forit!Jus’apattin’hisself’causehegotoneeye,puttin’alltheblameonhiseye.He’salazy,dirtyson-of-a-bitch.Maybehecansnapoutofitifheknowedpeoplewaswisetohim."

           Alsaid,"Tom,itwasn’tnothin’Idoneburnedoutthatbearin’."

           Tomwassilentforamoment,then,"I’mgonnatakeafalloutayou,Al.Youjus’scrabblin’assovertit,fearsomebodygonnapinsomeblameonyou.Iknowwhat’samatter.Youngfella,allfullapissan’vinegar.Wantabeahellofaguyallthetime.But,goddamnit,Al,don’keepyaguardupwhennobodyain’tsparrin’withya.Yougonnabeallright."

           Aldidnotanswerhim.Helookedstraightahead.Thetruckrattledandbangedovertheroad.AcatwhippedoutfromthesideoftheroadandAlswervedtohitit,butthewheelsmissedandthecatleapedintothegrass.

           "Nearlygothim,"saidAl."Say,Tom.YouheardConnietalkin’howhe’sgonnastudynights?Ibeenthinkin’maybeI’dstudynightstoo.Youknow,radioortelevisionorDieselengines.Fellamightgetstartedthat-a-way."

           "Might,"saidTom."Findouthowmuchtheygonnasockyaforthelessons,first.