Гроздья гнева
Chapter 26
Ican’t.»
«Foradime?»
«Foranything,ma’am.»Helookedpleadinglyather.Andthenhisfacelostitsfear.Hetooktencentsfromhispocketandrangitupinthecashregister.«There,"hesaidwithrelief.Hepulledalittlebagfromunderthecounter,whippeditopenandscoopedsomesugarintoit,weighedthebag,andaddedalittlemoresugar.«Thereyouare,"hesaid.«Nowit’sallright.Youbringinyourslipan’I’llgetmydimeback.»
Mastudiedhim.Herhandwentblindlyoutandputthelittlebagofsugaronthepileinherarm.«Thankstoyou,"shesaidquietly.Shestartedforthedoor,andwhenshereachedit,sheturnedabout.«I’mlearnin’onethinggood,"shesaid.«Learnin’itallatime,ever’day.Ifyou’reintroubleorhurtorneed—gotopoorpeople.They’retheonlyonesthat’llhelp—theonlyones.»Thescreendoorslammedbehindher.
Thelittlemanleanedhiselbowsonthecounterandlookedafterherwithhissurprisedeyes.Aplumptortoiseshellcatleapeduponthecounterandstalkedlazilyneartohim.Itrubbedsidewaysagainsthisarms,andhereachedoutwithhishandandpulleditagainsthischeek.Thecatpurredloudly,andthetipofitstailjerkedbackandforth.
TomandAlandPaandUncleJohnwalkedinfromtheorchardwhentheduskwasdeep.Theirfeetwerealittleheavyagainsttheroad.«Youwouldn’thinkjus’reachin’upan’pickin’dgetyouintheback,"Pasaid.
«Beawrightinacoupledays,"saidTom.
