Гроздья гнева

           Wilson,hisheadstilldown,turnedandwenttohistent;hesteppedinsideandtheflapsfellbehindhim.

           Forafewmomentsthefamilywaited,andthen,"Wegottogo,"saidTom."It’snearfour,Ibet."

           Thefamilyclimbedonthetruck,Maontop,besideGranma.TomandAlandPaintheseat,andWinfieldonPa’slap.ConnieandRoseofSharonmadeanestagainstthecab.ThepreacherandUncleJohnandRuthiewereinatangleontheload.

           Pacalled,"Good-by,MisterandMis’Wilson."Therewasnoanswerfromthetent.Tomstartedtheengineandthetrucklumberedaway.AndastheycrawleduptheroughroadtowardNeedlesandthehighway,Malookedback.Wilsonstoodinfrontofhistent,staringafterthem,andhishatwasinhishand.Thesunfellfullonhisface.Mawavedherhandathim,buthedidnotrespond.

           Tomkeptthetruckinsecondgearovertheroughroad,toprotectthesprings.AtNeedleshedroveintoaservicestation,checkedtheworntiresforair,checkedthesparestiedtotheback.Hehadthegastankfilled,andheboughttwofive-galloncansofgasolineandatwo-galloncanofoil.Hefilledtheradiator,beggedamap,andstudiedit.

           Theservice-stationboy,inhiswhiteuniform,seemeduneasyuntilthebillwaspaid.Hesaid,"Youpeoplesurehavegotnerve."

           Tomlookedupfromthemap."Whatyoumean?"

           "Well,crossin’inajalopylikethis."

           "Youbeenacrost?"

           "Sure,plenty,butnotinnowrecklikethis."

           Tomsaid,"Ifwebrokedownmaybesomebody’dgiveusahan’."

           "Well,maybe.