О мышах и людях

           «Well,Itellyawhat—Curleysayshe’skeepin’thathandsoftforhiswife.»

           Georgestudiedthecardsabsorbedly.«That’sadirtythingtotellaround,"hesaid.

           Theoldmanwasreassured.HehaddrawnaderogatorystatementfromGeorge.Hefeltsafenow,andhespokemoreconfidently.«Wait’llyouseeCurley’swife.»

           Georgecutthecardsagainandputoutasolitairelay,slowlyanddeliberately.«Purty?»heaskedcasually.

           «Yeah.Purty...but—"

           Georgestudiedhiscards.«Butwhat?»

           «Well—shegottheeye.»

           «Yeah?Marriedtwoweeksandgottheeye?Maybethat’swhyCurley’spantsisfullofants.»

           «IseenhergiveSlimtheeye.Slim’sajerklineskinner.Hellofanicefella.Slimdon’tneedtowearnohigh-heeledbootsonagrainteam.IseenhergiveSlimtheeye.Curleyneverseenit.An’IseenhergiveCarlsontheeye.»

           Georgepretendedalackofinterest.«Lookslikewewasgonnahavefun.»

           Theswamperstoodupfromhisbox.«KnowwhatIthink?»Georgedidnotanswer.«Well,IthinkCurley’smarried...atart.»

           «Heain’tthefirst,"saidGeorge.«There’splentydonethat.»