Гроздья гнева
Chapter 22
Andthenshewashedherhandsinthewarmwater,andshewashedherface.Shewasbrushingwaterthroughherhairwithherfingerswhenastepsoundedontheconcretefloorbehindher.Maswungaround.Anelderlymanstoodlookingatherwithanexpressionofrighteousshock.
Hesaidharshly,«Howyoucomeinhere?»
Magulped,andshefeltthewaterdrippingfromherchin,andsoakingthroughherdress.«Ididn’know,"shesaidapologetically.«Ithoughtthisherewasforfolkstouse.»
Theelderlymanfrownedonher.«Formenfolks,"hesaidsternly.Hewalkedtothedoorandpointedtoasignonit:MEN.«There,"hesaid.«Thatprovesit.Didn’youseethat?»
«No,"Masaidinshame,«Ineverseenit.Ain’ttheyaplacewhereIcango?»
Theman’sangerdeparted.«Youjus’come?»heaskedmorekindly.
«Middleofthenight,"saidMa.
«Thenyouain’ttalkedtotheCommittee?»
«Whatcommittee?»
«Why,theLadies’Committee.»
«No,Iain’t.»
Hesaidproudly,«TheCommittee’llcallonyoupurtysoonan’fixyouup.Wetakecareoffolksthatjus’comein.Now,ifyouwantaladies’toilet,youjus’goontheothersideofthebuilding.Thatside’syourn.»
Masaiduneasily,«Yasayaladies’committee—comin’tomytent?»Henoddedhishead.«Purtysoon,Iguess.»
«Thankya,"saidMa.Shehurriedout,andhalfrantothetent.
«Pa,"shecalled.«John,gitup!You,Al.Gitupan’gitwashed.»
Startledsleepyeyeslookedoutather.«Allofyou,"Macried.«Yougitupan’gityourfacewashed.
