Гроздья гнева
Chapter 30
«Wecouldn’asavedit.»
«Iknow,"saidMa.
Ruthiesigheddeeplyandtookherarmfromoverhereyes.Shelookedblindlyatthelampforamoment,andthenturnedherheadandlookedatMa.«Isitbore?»shedemanded.«Isthebabyout?»
Mrs.Wainwrightpickedupasackandspreaditovertheappleboxinthecorner.
«Where’sthebaby?»Ruthiedemanded.
Mawetherlips.«Thereain’tnobaby.Theyneverwasnobaby.Wewaswrong.»
«Shucks!»Ruthieyawned.«Iwishtithadabeenababy.»
Mrs.WainwrightsatdownbesideMaandtookthecardboardfromherandfannedtheair.Mafoldedherhandsinherlap,andhertiredeyesneverleftthefaceofRoseofSharon,sleepinginexhaustion.«Comeon,"Mrs.Wainwrightsaid.«Jus’laydown.You’llberightbesideher.Why,you’dwakeupifshetookadeepbreath,even.»
«Awright,Iwill.»Mastretchedoutonthemattressbesidethesleepinggirl.AndMrs.Wainwrightsatonthefloorandkeptwatch.
PaandAlandUncleJohnsatinthecardoorwayandwatchedthesteelydawncome.Therainhadstopped,buttheskywasdeepandsolidwithcloud.Asthelightcame,itwasreflectedonthewater.Themencouldseethecurrentofthestream,slippingswiftlydown,bearingblackbranchesoftrees,boxes,boards.Thewaterswirledintotheflatwheretheboxcarsstood.Therewasnosignoftheembankmentleft.Ontheflatthecurrentstopped.Theedgesofthefloodwerelinedwithyellowfoam.Paleanedoutthedoorandplacedatwigonthecat-walk,justabovethewaterline.
