Гроздья гнева
Chapter 26
Idon’understan’it.»
«GetssoIdon’wantathinkaboutit,"saidJule.«An’Igottothinkaboutit.Igotthisherelittlegirl.Youknowhowpurtysheis.Oneweektheygiveheraprizeinthiscamp’causeshe’ssopurty.Well,what’sgonnahappentoher?She’sgettin’spindly.Iain’tgonnastan’it.She’ssopurty.I’mgonnabustout.»
«How?»Willieasked.«Whatyougonnado—stealsomestuffan’gitinjail?Killsomebodyan’githung?»
«Idon’know,"saidJule.«Gitsmenutsthinkin’aboutit.Gitsmeclearnuts.»
«I’ma-gonnamissthemdances,"Tomsaid.«ThemwassomeofthenicestdancesIeverseen.Well,I’mgonnaturnin.Solong.I’llbeseein’yousomeplace.»Heshookhands.
«Surewill,"saidJule.«Well,solong.»Tommovedawayintothedarkness.
InthedarknessoftheJoadtentRuthieandWinfieldlayontheirmattress,andMalaybesidethem.Ruthiewhispered,«Ma!»
«Yeah?Ain’tyouasleepyet?»
«Ma—theygonnahavecroquetwherewe’regoin’?»
«Idon’know.Getsomesleep.Wewanttogetanearlystart.»
«Well,Iwishtwe’dstayherewherewe’resurewegotcroquet.»
«Sh!»saidMa.«Ma,Winfiel’hitakidtonight.»
«Heshouldn’of.»
«Iknow.Itol’’im,buthehitthekidrightinthenosean’Jesus,howthebloodrundown!»
«Don’talklikethat.Itain’tanicewaytotalk.»Winfieldturnedover.«ThatkidsayswewasOkies,"hesaidinanoutragedvoice.«Hesayshewasn’tnoOkie’causehecomefromOregon.
SayswewasgoddamnOkies.
