Гроздья гнева
Chapter 26
«How—howmuchisside-meat?»
«Well,nowyou’regettin’intofancystuff.Christmasstuff.Thanksgivin’stuff.Thirty-fivecentsapoun’.Icouldsellyouturkeycheaper,ifIhadsometurkey.»
Masighed.«Givemetwopoundshamburg.»
«Yes,ma’am.»Hescoopedthepalemeatonapieceofwaxedpaper.
«An’whatelse?»
«Well,somebread.»
«Righthere.Finebigloaf,fifteencents.»
«Thatthere’satwelve-centloaf.»
«Sure,itis.Gorightintownan’getherfortwelvecents.
Gallonagas.WhatelsecanIsellyou,potatoes?»
«Yes,potatoes.»
«Fivepoundsforaquarter.»Mamovedmenacinglytowardhim.«Iheardenoughfromyou.Iknowwhattheycostintown.»Thelittlemanclampedhismouthtight.«Thengogit’emintown.»Malookedatherknuckles.«Whatisthis?»sheaskedsoftly.«Youownthisherestore?»
«No.Ijus’workhere.»
«Anyreasonyougottomakefun?Thathelpyouany?»Sheregardedhershinywrinkledhands.Thelittlemanwassilent.«Whoownsthisherestore?»
«HooperRanches,Incorporated,ma’am.»
«An’theysettheprices?»
«Yes,ma’am.»
Shelookedup,smilingalittle.«Ever’bodycomesintalkslikeme,ismad?»Hehesitatedforamoment.«Yes,ma’am.»
«An’that’swhyyoumakefun?»
«Whatchamean?»
«Doin’adirtythinglikethis.Shamesya,don’tit?Gottoactflip,huh?»Hervoicewasgentle.Theclerkwatchedher,fascinated.Hedidn’tanswer.«That’showitis,"Masaidfinally.«Fortycentsformeat,fifteenforbread,quarterforpotatoes.
