Гроздья гнева
Chapter 22
Tombegan,«Why,I—"andthenheclosedhismouthandwassilent.
Thomasfoldedthepapercarefullyandputitinhispocket.Hehadhimselfincontrolagain.Hesaidquietly,«ThosemenweresentoutbytheAssociation.NowI’mgiving’emaway.AndiftheyeverfindoutItold,Iwon’thaveafarmnextyear.»
«Ijus’don’tknowwhattosay,"Timothysaid.«Iftheywasagitators,Icanseewhytheywasmad.»
Thomassaid,«Iwatcheditalongtime.There’salwaysredagitatorsjustbeforeapaycut.Always.Goddamnit,theygotmetrapped.Now,whatareyougoingtodo?Twenty-fivecents?»
Timothylookedattheground.«I’llwork,"hesaid.
«Metoo,"saidWilkie.
Tomsaid,«SeemslikeIwalkedintosomepin.Sure,I’llwork.Igottowork.»
Thomaspulledabandannaoutofhishippocketandwipedhismouthandchin.«Idon’tknowhowlongitcangoon.Idon’tknowhowyoumencanfeedafamilyonwhatyougetnow.»
«Wecanwhilewework,"Wilkiesaid.«It’swhenwedon’tgitwork.»
Thomaslookedathiswatch.«Well,let’sgooutanddigsomeditch.ByGod,"hesaid,«I’ma-gonnatellyou.Youfellasliveinthatgovernmentcamp,don’tyou?»
Timothystiffened.«Yes,sir.»
«AndyouhavedanceseverySaturdaynight?»
Wilkiesmiled.«Wesuredo.»
«Well,lookoutnextSaturdaynight.»
SuddenlyTimothystraightened.Hesteppedclose.«Whatyoumean?IbelongtotheCentralCommittee.Igottoknow.»
Thomaslookedapprehensive.«Don’tyouevertellItold.»
«Whatisit?»Timothydemanded.
