Гроздья гнева

           An’figgeroutifyou’regonnastudy’em.Therewasfellastakin’themmaillessonsinMcAlester.Ineverknowedoneof’emthatfinishedup.Gotsickofitan’left’emslide."

           "GodAwmighty,weforgottogetsomepintoeat."

           "Well,Masentdownplenty;preachercouldn’eatitall.Besomelef’.Iwonderhowlongit’lltakeustogettoCalifornia."

           "Christ,Idon’know.Jus’plugawayather."

           Theyfellintosilence,andthedarkcameandthestarsweresharpandwhite.

           CASYGOTOUTofthebackseatoftheDodgeandstrolledtothesideoftheroadwhenthetruckpulledup."Ineverexpectedyousosoon,"hesaid.

           Tomgatheredthepartsinthepieceofsackingonthefloor."Wewaslucky,"hesaid."Gotaflashlight,too.Gonnafixherrightup."

           "Youforgottotakeyourdinner,"saidCasy.

           "I’llgetitwhenIfinish.Here,Al,pullofftheroadalittlemorean’comehol’thelightforme."HewentdirectlytotheDodgeandcrawledunderonhisback.Alcrawledunderonhisbellyanddirectedthebeamoftheflashlight."Notinmyeyes.There,putherup."Tomworkedthepistonupintothecylinder,twistingandturning.Thebrasswirecaughtalittleonthecylinderwall.Withaquickpushheforceditpasttherings."Luckyshe’slooseorthecompression’dstopher.Ithinkshe’sgonnaworkallright."

           "Hopethatwiredon’tclogtherings,"saidAl.

           "Well,that’swhyIhammeredherflat.Shewon’trolloff.