О мышах и людях

           Hetookontheelaboratemanneroflittlegirlswhentheyaremimickingoneanother.«Jus’wantedtofeelthatgirl’sdress—jus’wantedtopetitlikeitwasamouse—Well,howthehelldidsheknowyoujus’wantedtofeelherdress?Shejerksbackandyouholdonlikeitwasamouse.Sheyellsandwegottohideinairrigationditchalldaywithguyslookin’forus,andwegottosneakoutinthedarkandgetoutathecountry.Allthetimesomethin’likethat—allthetime.IwishtIcouldputyouinacagewithaboutamillionmicean’letyouhavefun.»Hisangerlefthimsuddenly.HelookedacrossthefireatLennie’sanguishedface,andthenhelookedashamedlyattheflames.

           Itwasquitedarknow,butthefirelightedthetrunksofthetreesandthecurvingbranchesoverhead.LenniecrawledslowlyandcautiouslyaroundthefireuntilhewasclosetoGeorge.Hesatbackonhisheels.Georgeturnedthebeancanssothatanothersidefacedthefire.HepretendedtobeunawareofLenniesoclosebesidehim.

           «George,"verysoftly.Noanswer.«George!»

           «Whattayouwant?»

           «Iwasonlyfoolin’,George.Idon’twantnoketchup.Iwouldn’teatnoketchupifitwasrightherebesideme.»

           «Ifitwashere,youcouldhavesome.»

           «ButIwouldn’teatnone,George.I’dleaveitallforyou.YoucouldcoveryourbeanswithitandIwouldn’ttouchnoneofit.»

           Georgestillstaredmoroselyatthefire.«WhenIthinkoftheswelltimeIcouldhavewithoutyou,Igonuts.Inevergetnopeace.»