Гроздья гнева
Chapter 20
Beabunchaguysdownhere,maybewithpickhandles,ifyouain’tgone.»
Thecontractorsaid,«ItoldyouIneedmen.Ifyoudon’twanttowork—well,that’syourbusiness.»Thedeputysmiled.«Iftheydon’twanttowork,theyain’taplacefor’eminthiscounty.We’llfloat’emquick.»
Floydstoodstifflybesidethedeputy,andFloyd’sthumbswerehookedoverhisbelt.Tomstolealookathim,andthenstaredattheground.
«That’sall,"thecontractorsaid.«There’smenneededinTulareCounty;plentyofwork.»
TomlookedslowlyupatFloyd’shands,andhesawthestringsatthewristsstandingoutundertheskin.Tom’sownhandscameup,andhisthumbshookedoverhisbelt.
«Yeah,that’sall.Idon’twantoneofyouherebytomorramorning.»ThecontractorsteppedintotheChevrolet.
«Now,you,"thedeputysaidtoFloyd,«yougetinthatcar.»HereachedalargehandupandtookholdofFloyd’sleftarm.Floydspunandswungwithonemovement.Hisfistsplashedintothelargeface,andinthesamemotionhewasaway,dodgingdownthelineoftents.ThedeputystaggeredandTomputouthisfootforhimtotripover.Thedeputyfellheavilyandrolled,reachingforhisgun.Floyddodgedinandoutofsightdowntheline.Thedeputyfiredfromtheground.Awomaninfrontofatentscreamedandthenlookedatahandwhichhadnoknuckles.Thefingershungonstringsagainstherpalm,andthetornfleshwaswhiteandbloodless.FardownthelineFloydcameinsight,sprintingforthewillows.
