Гроздья гнева
Chapter 20
Andhesaid,alittleproudly,«Jesus,whatamessa.45doesmake!Theygotatourniqueton.We’llsendadoctorout.»
TwodeputiessatoneithersideofCasy.Theleadersoundedhishorn.Therewasnomovementinthecamp.Theflapsweredowntight,andthepeopleintheirtents.Theenginestartedandthecarswungaroundandpulledoutofthecamp.BetweenhisguardsCasysatproudly,hisheadupandthestringymusclesofhisneckprominent.Onhislipstherewasafaintsmileandonhisfaceacuriouslookofconquest.
Whenthedeputieshadgone,thepeoplecameoutofthetents.Thesunwasdownnow,andthegentleblueeveninglightwasinthecamp.Totheeastthemountainswerestillyellowwithsunlight.Thewomenwentbacktothefiresthathaddied.Themencollectedtosquattogetherandtotalksoftly.
AlcrawledfromundertheJoadtarpaulinandwalkedtowardthewillowstowhistleforTom.Macameoutandbuiltherlittlefireoftwigs.
«Pa,"shesaid,«weain’tgoin’tohavemuch.Weetsolate.»
PaandUncleJohnstuckclosetothecamp,watchingMapeelingpotatoesandslicingthemrawintoafryingpanofdeepgrease.Pasaid,«Nowwhatthehellmadethepreacherdothat?»
RuthieandWinfieldcreptcloseandcroucheddowntohearthetalk.
UncleJohnscratchedtheearthdeeplywithalongrustynail.«Heknowedaboutsin.Iasthimaboutsin,an’hetol’me;butIdon’knowifhe’sright.Hesaysafella’ssinnedifhethinkshe’ssinned.»UncleJohn’seyesweretiredandsad.«Ibeensecretallmydays,"hesaid.«IdonethingsInevertol’about.»
