О мышах и людях

           Theheronpoundedtheairwithitswings,jackeditselfclearofthewaterandflewoffdownriver.Thelittlesnakeslidinamongthereedsatthepool’sside.

           Lenniecamequietlytothepool’sedge.Hekneltdownanddrank,barelytouchinghislipstothewater.Whenalittlebirdskitteredoverthedryleavesbehindhim,hisheadjerkedupandhestrainedtowardthesoundwitheyesandearsuntilhesawthebird,andthenhedroppedhisheadanddrankagain.

           Whenhewasfinished,hesatdownonthebank,withhissidetothepool,sothathecouldwatchthetrail’sentrance.Heembracedhiskneesandlaidhischindownonhisknees.

           Thelightclimbedonoutofthevalley,andasitwent,thetopsofthemountainsseemedtoblazewithincreasingbrightness.

           Lenniesaidsoftly,«Idi’n’tforget,youbet,Goddamn.Hideinthebrushan’waitforGeorge.»Hepulledhishatdownlowoverhiseyes.«Georgegonnagivemehell,"hesaid.«Georgegonnawishhewasalonean’nothavemebotherin’him.»Heturnedhisheadandlookedatthebrightmountaintops.«Icangorightofftherean’findacave,"hesaid.Andhecontinuedsadly,«—an’neverhavenoketchup—butIwon’tcare.IfGeorgedon’twantme...I’llgoaway.I’llgoaway.»

           AndthenfromoutofLennie’sheadtherecamealittlefatoldwoman.Sheworethickbull’s-eyeglassesandsheworeahugeginghamapronwithpockets,andshewasstarchedandclean.ShestoodinfrontofLennieandputherhandsonherhips,andshefrowneddisapprovinglyathim.

           Andwhenshespoke,itwasinLennie’svoice.