О мышах и людях

           Georgemovedslowlyafterthem,andhisfeetdraggedheavily.

           Andwhentheyweregone,CandysquatteddowninthehayandwatchedthefaceofCurley’swife.«Poorbastard,"hesaidsoftly.

           Thesoundofthemengrewfainter.Thebarnwasdarkeninggraduallyand,intheirstalls,thehorsesshiftedtheirfeetandrattledthehalterchains.OldCandylaydowninthehayandcoveredhiseyeswithhisarm.

           ThedeepgreenpooloftheSalinasRiverwasstillinthelateafternoon.AlreadythesunhadleftthevalleytogoclimbinguptheslopesoftheGabilanMountains,andthehilltopswererosyinthesun.Butbythepoolamongthemottledsycamores,apleasantshadehadfallen.

           Awatersnakeglidedsmoothlyupthepool,twistingitsperiscopeheadfromsidetoside;anditswamthelengthofthepoolandcametothelegsofamotionlessheronthatstoodintheshallows.Asilentheadandbeaklanceddownandpluckeditoutbythehead,andthebeakswallowedthelittlesnakewhileitstailwavedfrantically.

           Afarrushofwindsoundedandagustdrovethroughthetopsofthetreeslikeawave.Thesycamoreleavesturneduptheirsilversides,thebrown,dryleavesonthegroundscuddedafewfeet.Androwonrowoftinywindwavesflowedupthepool’sgreensurface.

           Asquicklyasithadcome,thewinddied,andtheclearingwasquietagain.Theheronstoodintheshallows,motionlessandwaiting.Anotherlittlewatersnakeswamupthepool,turningitsperiscopeheadfromsidetoside.

           SuddenlyLennieappearedoutofthebrush,andhecameassilentlyasacreepingbearmoves.