Гроздья гнева

           Tomsaid,"What’dIgoan’hitapolicemanfor?"

           Masmiled."Well—hetalkedsobad—Inearlyhithimmyself."

           Tomgrabbedherarmandshookherroughlyandloosely,andhelaughed.Hesatdownontheground,stilllaughing."MyGod,Ma.Iknowedyouwhenyouwasgentle.What’scomeoveryou?"

           Shelookedserious."Idon’know,Tom."

           "Fustyoustan’usoffwithajackhandle,andnowyoutrytohitacop."Helaughedsoftly,andhereachedoutandpattedherbarefoottenderly."Aol’hell-cat,"hesaid.

           "Tom."

           "Yeah?"

           Shehesitatedalongtime."Tom,thisherepoliceman—hecalledus—Okies.Hesays,’Wedon’wantyougoddamnOkiessettlin’down.’"

           Tomstudiedher,andhishandstillrestedgentlyonherbarefoot."Fellatol’aboutthat,"hesaid."Fellatol’howtheysayit."Heconsidered,"Ma,wouldyousayIwasabadfella?Oughtabelockedup—likethat?"

           "No,"shesaid."Youbeentried—No.Whatyouastmefor?"

           "Well,Idunno.I’datookasockatthatcop."

           Masmiledwithamusement."MaybeIoughtaastyouthat,’causeInearlyhit’imwithaskillet."

           "Ma,why’dhesaywecouldn’stophere?"

           "Jus’saystheydon’wantnodamnOkiessettlin’down.Sayshegonnarunusinifwe’reheretomorra."

           "Butweain’tuse’tagettin’shovedaroun’bynocops."

           "Itol’himthat,"saidMa."Hesaysweain’thomenow.We’reinCalifornia,andtheydowhattheywant."

           Tomsaiduneasily,"Ma,Igotsomepintotellya.