Гроздья гнева

           Thebabydidn’tinterferewithherworkorwiththequickgracefulnessofhermovements.Andtheorangefirelickedoutofthestovecracksandthrewflickeringreflectionsonthetent.

           Tommovedcloser.Hesmelledfryingbaconandbakingbread.Fromtheeastthelightgrewswiftly.Tomcameneartothestoveandstretchedouthishandstoit.Thegirllookedathimandnodded,sothathertwobraidsjerked.

           «Goodmornin’,"shesaid,andsheturnedthebaconinthepan.

           Thetentflapjerkedupandayoungmancameoutandanoldermanfollowedhim.Theyweredressedinnewbluedungareesandindungareecoats,stiffwithfiller,thebrassbuttonsshining.Theyweresharp-facedmen,andtheylookedmuchalike.Theyoungmanhadadarkstubblebeardandtheoldermanawhitestubblebeard.Theirheadsandfaceswerewet,theirhairdripped,waterstoodindropsontheirstiffbeards.Theircheeksshonewithdampness.Togethertheystoodlookingquietlyintothelighteningeast.Theyyawnedtogetherandwatchedthelightonthehillrims.AndthentheyturnedandsawTom.

           «Mornin’,"theoldermansaid,andhisfacewasneitherfriendlynorunfriendly.

           «Mornin’,"saidTom.

           And,«Mornin’,"saidtheyoungerman.

           Thewaterslowlydriedontheirfaces.Theycametothestoveandwarmedtheirhandsatit.

           Thegirlkepttoherwork.Onceshesetthebabydownandtiedherbraidstogetherinbackwithastring,andthetwobraidsjerkedandswungassheworked.Shesettincupsonabigpackingbox,settinplatesandknivesandforksout.