Гроздья гнева

           Andgraduallythegreatestterrorofallcamealong.

           Theyain’tgonnabenokindaworkforthreemonths.

           Inthebarns,thepeoplesathuddledtogether;andtheterrorcameoverthem,andtheirfacesweregraywithterror.Thechildrencriedwithhunger,andtherewasnofood.

           Thenthesicknesscame,pneumonia,andmeaslesthatwenttotheeyesandtothemastoids.

           Andtherainfellsteadily,andthewaterflowedoverthehighways,fortheculvertscouldnotcarrythewater.

           Thenfromthetents,fromthecrowdedbarns,groupsofsoddenmenwentout,theirclothessloppingrags,theirshoesmuddypulp.Theysplashedoutthroughthewater,tothetowns,tothecountrystores,tothereliefoffices,tobegforfood,tocringeandbegforfood,tobegforrelief,totrytosteal,tolie.Andunderthebegging,andunderthecringing,ahopelessangerbegantosmolder.Andinthelittletownspityforthesoddenmenchangedtoanger,andangeratthehungrypeoplechangedtofearofthem.Thensheriffssworeindeputiesindroves,andorderswererushedforrifles,forteargas,forammunition.Thenthehungrymencrowdedthealleysbehindthestorestobegforbread,tobegforrottingvegetables,tostealwhentheycould.

           Franticmenpoundedonthedoorsofthedoctors;andthedoctorswerebusy.Andsadmenleftwordatcountrystoresforthecoronertosendacar.Thecoronerswerenottoobusy.Thecoroners’wagonsbackedupthroughthemudandtookoutthedead.

           Andtherainpatteredrelentlesslydown,andthestreamsbroketheirbanksandspreadoutoverthecountry.