Гроздья гнева
Chapter 30
Themenstopped,listeneduneasily,andthenplungedtoworkagain.Andthelittleleveeofearthextendeduntilitconnectedwiththehighwayembankmentoneitherend.Theyweretirednow,andtheshovelsmovedmoreslowly.Andthestreamroseslowly.Itedgedabovetheplacewherethefirstdirthadbeenthrown.
Palaughedintriumph.«She’dcomeoverifwehadn’abuiltup!»hecried.
Thestreamroseslowlyupthesideofthenewwall,andtoreatthewillowmat.«Higher!»Pacried.«Wegottogitherhigher!»
Theeveningcame,andtheworkwenton.Andnowthemenwerebeyondweariness.Theirfacesweresetanddead.Theyworkedjerkily,likemachines.Whenitwasdarkthewomensetlanternsinthecardoors,andkeptpotsofcoffeehandy.AndthewomenranonebyonetotheJoadcarandwedgedthemselvesinside.
Thepainswerecomingclosenow,twentyminutesapart.AndRoseofSharonhadlostherrestraint.Shescreamedfiercelyunderthefiercepains.Andtheneighborwomenlookedatherandpattedhergentlyandwentbacktotheirowncars.
Mahadagoodfiregoingnow,andallherutensils,filledwithwater,satonthestovetoheat.EverylittlewhilePalookedinthecardoor.«Allright?»heasked.
«Yeah!Ithinkso,"Maassuredhim.
Asitgrewdark,someonebroughtoutaflashlighttoworkby.UncleJohnplungedon,throwingmudontopofthewall.
«Youtakeiteasy,"Pasaid.«You’llkillyaself.»
«Ican’the’pit.Ican’tstan’thatyellin’.It’slike—it’slikewhen—"
«Iknow,"Pasaid.«Butjus’takeiteasy.
