Гроздья гнева
Chapter 26
Andthen,whileAlheldthetubetightoverhisknee,Tomtorethecementtubeintwoandspreadthelittlefluidthinlyontherubberwithhispocketknife.Hescrapedthegumdelicately.«NowletherdrywhileIcutapatch.»Hetrimmedandbeveledtheedgeofthebluepatch.AlheldthetubetightwhileTomputthepatchtenderlyinplace.«There!NowbringhertotherunningboardwhileItapherwithahammer.»Hepoundedthepatchcarefully,thenstretchedthetubeandwatchedtheedgesofthepatch.«Theresheis!She’sgonnahold.Stickherontheriman’we’llpumpherup.Lookslikeyoukeepyourbuck,Ma.»
Alsaid,«Iwishtwehadaspare.Wegottogetusaspare,Tom,onariman’allpumpedup.Thenwecanfixapunctureatnight.»
«Whenwegetmoneyforasparewe’llgetussomecoffeean’side-meatinstead,"Tomsaid.
Thelightmorningtrafficbuzzedbyonthehighway,andthesungrewwarmandbright.Awind,gentleandsighing,blewinpuffsfromthesouthwest,andthemountainsonbothsidesofthegreatvalleywereindistinctinapearlymist.
Tomwaspumpingatthetirewhenaroadster,comingfromthenorth,stoppedontheothersideoftheroad.Abrown-facedmandressedinalightgraybusinesssuitgotoutandwalkedacrosstothetruck.Hewasbareheaded.Hesmiled,andhisteethwereverywhiteagainsthisbrownskin.Heworeamassivegoldweddingringonthethirdfingerofhislefthand.Alittlegoldfootballhungonaslenderchainacrosshisvest.
«Morning,"hesaidpleasantly.Tomstoppedpumpingandlookedup.
