Гроздья гнева
Chapter 26
Thehousewasfullofsmoke,andtheyellowlanternlightthrewheavyblackshadowsonthewalls.MaworkedquicklyaboutthefirewhileRoseofSharonsatonaboxrestingherheavyabdomenonherknees.
«Feelin’betternow?»Maasked.
«Smellacookin’getsme.I’mhungry,too.»
«Gosetinthedoor,"Masaid.«Igottohavethatboxtobreakupanyways.»
Thementroopedin.«Meat,byGod!»saidTom.«Andcoffee.Ismellher.Jesus,I’mhungry!Ietalotofpeaches,buttheydidn’donogood.Wherecanwewash,Ma?»
«Godowntothewatertank.Washdownthere.Ijus’sentRuthiean’Winfiel’towash.»Themenwentoutagain.
«Goonnow,Rosasharn,"Maordered.«Eitheryousetinthedoororelseonthebed.Igottobreakthatboxup.»
Thegirlhelpedherselfupwithherhands.Shemovedheavilytooneofthemattressesandsatdownonit.RuthieandWinfieldcameinquietly,tryingbysilenceandbykeepingclosetothewalltoremainobscure.
Malookedoveratthem.«Igotafeelin’youlittlefellasisluckytheyain’tmuchlight,"shesaid.ShepouncedatWinfieldandfelthishair.«Well,yougotwet,anyway,butIbetyouain’tclean.»
«Theywasn’tnosoap,"Winfieldcomplained.
«No,that’sright.Icouldn’buynosoap.Nottoday.Maybewecangetsoaptomorra.»Shewentbacktothestove,laidouttheplates,andbegantoservethesupper.Twopattiesapieceandabigpotato.Sheplacedthreeslicesofbreadoneachplate.Whenthemeatwasalloutofthefryingpanshepouredalittleofthegreaseoneachplate.
