Гроздья гнева

           Hewatchedthelittlesquarewindow,sawthestarsslidedownoveritanddropfromsight.Atintervalsheheardthefootstepsofthewatchmen.

           Atlasttheroosterscrowed,faraway,andgraduallythewindowlightened.Tomtouchedhisswollenfacewithhisfingertips,andathismovementAlgroanedandmurmuredinhissleep.

           Thedawncamefinally.Inthehouses,packedtogether,therewasasoundofmovement,acrashofbreakingsticks,alittleclatterofpans.InthegrayinggloomMasatupsuddenly.Tomcouldseeherface,swollenwithsleep.Shelookedatthewindow,foralongmoment.Andthenshethrewtheblanketoffandfoundherdress.Stillsittingdown,sheputitoverherheadandheldherarmsupandletthedressslidedowntoherwaist.Shestoodupandpulledthedressdownaroundherankles.Theninbarefeet,shesteppedcarefullytothewindowandlookedout,andwhileshestaredatthegrowinglight,herquickfingersunbraidedherhairandsmoothedthestrandsandbraidedthemupagain.Thensheclaspedherhandsinfrontofherandstoodmotionlessforamoment.Herfacewaslightedsharplybythewindow.Sheturned,steppedcarefullyamongthemattresses,andfoundthelantern.Theshadescreechedup,andshelightedthewick.

           Parolledoverandblinkedather.Shesaid,«Pa,yougotmoremoney?»

           «Huh?Yeah.Paperwroteforsixtycents.»

           «Well,gitupan’gobuysomeflouran’lard.Quick,now.»Payawned.«Maybethestoreain’topen.»

           «Make’emopenit.Gottogetsomepininyoufellas.Yougottogetouttowork.»