Гроздья гнева

           "Mornin’,ma’am,"shesaid."Mornin’,an’praiseGodforvictory."

           Malookedaround."Mornin’,"shesaid.ThewomanstoopedintothetentandbentherheadoverGranma."WeheerdyougotasoulherereadytojoinherJesus.PraiseGod!"

           Ma’sfacetightenedandhereyesgrewsharp."She’star’d,that’sall,"Masaid."She’sworeoutwiththeroadan’theheat.She’sjus’woreout.Getalittleres’,an’she’llbewell."

           ThewomanleaneddownoverGranma’sface,andsheseemedalmosttosniff.ThensheturnedtoMaandnoddedquickly,andherlipsjiggledandherjowlsquivered."AdearsoulgonnajoinherJesus,"shesaid.

           Macried,"Thatain’tso!"

           Thewomannodded,slowly,thistime,andputapuffyhandonGranma’sforehead.Mareachedtosnatchthehandaway,andquicklyrestrainedherself."Yes,it’sso,sister,"thewomansaid."WegotsixinHolinessinourtent.I’llgogit’em,an’we’llhol’ameetin’—aprayeran’grace.Jehovites,all.Six,countin’me.I’llgogit’emout."

           Mastiffened."No—no,"shesaid."No,Granma’star’d.Shecouldn’tstan’ameetin’."

           Thewomansaid,"Couldn’tstan’grace?Couldn’stan’thesweetbreathofJesus?Whatyoutalkin’about,sister?"

           Masaid,"No,nothere.She’stootar’d."

           ThewomanlookedreproachfullyatMa."Ain’tyoubelievers,ma’am?"

           "WealwaysbeenHoliness."Masaid,"butGranma’star’d,an’webeena-goin’allnight.Wewon’ttroubleyou."