Гроздья гнева

           Wantagettherequick."

           Paclearedhisthroat."Fellawasjus’sayin’—"

           Tomgrabbedhisarmandyankedit."Funnywhathesays,"Tomsaid.

           "Saysthey’slotsafolksontheway."

           Mapeeredthroughthedarknessatthem.InsidethetentRuthiecoughedandsnortedinhersleep."Iwashed’emup,"Masaid."Fustwaterwegotenoughoftogive’emagoin’-over.Lef’thebucketsoutforyoufellastowashtoo.Can’tkeepnothin’cleanontheroad."

           "Ever’bodyin?"Paasked.

           "AllbutConniean’Rosasharn.Theywentofftosleepintheopen.

           Saysit’stoowarminundercover."

           Paobservedquerulously,"ThatRosasharnisgettin’awfulscaryan’nimsy-mimsy."

           "It’sherfirst,"saidMa."Heran’Conniesetsalotastorebyit.Youdonethesamething."

           "We’llgonow,"Tomsaid."Pullofftheroadalittlepieceahead.Watchoutforusefwedon’tseeyou.Beoffright-han’side."

           "Al’sstayin’?"

           "Yeah.LeaveUncleJohncomewithus.’Night,Ma."

           Theywalkedawaythroughthesleepingcamp.Infrontofonetentalowfitfulfireburnedandawomanwatchedakettlethatcookedearlybreakfast.Thesmellofthecookingbeanswasstrongandfine.

           "Liketohaveaplateathem,"Tomsaidpolitelyastheywentby.

           Thewomansmiled."Theyain’tdoneoryou’dbewelcome,"shesaid.

           "Comearoun’inthedaybreak."

           "Thankyou,ma’am,"Tomsaid.HeandCasyandUncleJohnwalkedbytheporch.Theproprietorstillsatinhischair,andthelanternhissedandflared