Гроздья гнева

           RuthieandWinfield,crowdedinaforwardcornerasfarawayfromthebodyastheycouldget,staredatthetuckedfigure.

           AndRuthiewhispered,"Tha’sGranma,an’she’sdead."

           Winfieldnoddedsolemnly."Sheain’tbreathin’atall.She’sawfuldead."

           AndRoseofSharonsaidsoftlytoConnie,"Shewasa-dyin’rightwhenwe—"

           "How’dweknow?"hereassuredher.

           AlclimbedontheloadtomakeroomforMaintheseat.AndAlswaggeredalittlebecausehewassorry.HeplumpeddownbesideCasyandUncleJohn."Well,shewasol’.Guesshertimewasup,"Alsaid."Ever’bodygottodie."CasyandUncleJohnturnedeyesexpressionlesslyonhimandlookedathimasthoughhewereacurioustalkingbush."Well,ain’tthey?"hedemanded.Andtheeyeslookedaway,leavingAlsullenandshaken.

           Casysaidinwonder,"Allnightlong,an’shewasalone."Andhesaid,"John,there’sawomansogreatwithlove—shescaresme.Makesmeafraidan’mean."

           Johnasked,"Wasitasin?Istheyanypartofityoumightcallasin?"

           Casyturnedonhiminastonishment,"Asin?No,thereain’tnopartofitthat’sasin."

           "Iain’tneverdonenothin’thatwasn’tpartsin,"saidJohn,andhelookedatthelongwrappedbody.

           TomandMaandPagotintothefrontseat.Tomletthetruckrollandstartedoncompression.Andtheheavytruckmoved,snortingandjerkingandpoppingdownthehill.Thesunwasbehindthem,andthevalleygoldenandgreenbeforethem.Mashookherheadslowlyfromsidetoside