Гроздья гнева
Chapter 28
«Somebodymightcomeby.»
«Ain’tyougotaplace,Tom?»
«Yeah—butif—well,s’posesomebodyseenyouwithme—wholefambly’dbeinajam.»
«Igotto,Tom.»
«Thencomealong.Comequiet.»Hecrossedthelittlestream,wadingcarelesslythroughthewater,andMafollowedhim.Hemovedthroughthebrush,outintoafieldontheothersideofthethicket,andalongtheplowedground.Theblackeningstemsofthecottonwereharshagainsttheground,andafewfluffsofcottonclungtothestems.Aquarterofamiletheywentalongtheedgeofthefield,andthenheturnedintothebrushagain.Heapproachedagreatmoundofwildblackberrybushes,leanedoverandpulledamatofvinesaside.«Yougottocrawlin,"hesaid.
Mawentdownonherhandsandknees.Shefeltsandunderher,andthentheblackinsideofthemoundnolongertouchedher,andshefeltTom’sblanketontheground.Hearrangedthevinesinplaceagain.Itwaslightlessinthecave.
«Whereareyou,Ma?»
«Here.Righthere.Talksoft,Tom.»
«Don’tworry.Ibeenlivin’likearabbitsometime.»Sheheardhimunwraphistinplate.«Porkchops,"shesaid.«Andfrypotatoes.»
«GodAwmighty,an’stillwarm.»Macouldnotseehimatallintheblackness,butshecouldhearhimchewing,tearingatthemeatandswallowing.«It’saprettygoodhide-out,"hesaid.Masaiduneasily,«Tom—Ruthietol’aboutyou.»Sheheardhimgulp.«Ruthie?Whatfor?»
«Well,itwasn’herfault.Gotinafight,an’saysherbrother’lllickthatothergirl’sbrother.
