О мышах и людях

           Theyhadwalkedinsinglefiledownthepath,andevenintheopenonestayedbehindtheother. Bothweredressedindenimtrousersandindenimcoatswithbrassbuttons. Bothworeblack,shapelesshatsandbothcarriedtightblanketrollsslungovertheirshoulders. Thefirstmanwassmallandquick,darkofface,withrestlesseyesandsharp,strongfeatures. Everypartofhimwasdefined: small,stronghands,slenderarms,athinandbonynose. Behindhimwalkedhisopposite,ahugeman,shapelessofface,withlarge,paleeyes,andwide,slopingshoulders; andhewalkedheavily,dragginghisfeetalittle,thewayabeardragshispaws. Hisarmsdidnotswingathissides,buthungloosely. 

           Thefirstmanstoppedshortintheclearing,andthefollowernearlyranoverhim. Hetookoffhishatandwipedthesweat-bandwithhisforefingerandsnappedthemoistureoff. Hishugecompaniondroppedhisblanketsandflunghimselfdownanddrankfromthesurfaceofthegreenpool; drankwithlonggulps,snortingintothewaterlikeahorse. Thesmallmansteppednervouslybesidehim. 

           «Lennie!» hesaidsharply. «Lennie,forGod’sakesdon’tdrinksomuch.» Lenniecontinuedtosnortintothepool. Thesmallmanleanedoverandshookhimbytheshoulder. «Lennie.Yougonnabesicklikeyouwaslastnight.» 

           Lenniedippedhiswholeheadunder,hatandall,andthenhesatuponthebankandhishatdrippeddownonhisbluecoatandrandownhisback. «That’sgood,»hesaid. «Youdrinksome,George. Youtakeagoodbigdrink.» Hesmiledhappily. 

           Georgeunslunghisbindleanddroppeditgentlyonthebank. «Iain’tsureit’sgoodwater,"hesaid. «Lookskindascummy.»