О мышах и людях

           Theoldmanmovedtowardthedoor,andhisancientdogliftedhisheadandpeeredabout,andthengotpainfullytohisfeettofollow.«Igottabesettin’outthewashbasinsfortheguys.Theteams’llbeinbeforelong.Youguysgonnabuckbarley?»

           «Yeah.»

           «Youwon’ttellCurleynothingIsaid?»

           «Hellno.»

           «Well,youlookherover,mister.Youseeifsheain’tatart.»Hesteppedoutthedoorintothebrilliantsunshine.

           Georgelaiddownhiscardsthoughtfully,turnedhispilesofthree.Hebuiltfourclubsonhisacepile.Thesunsquarewasonthefloornow,andtheflieswhippedthroughitlikesparks.Asoundofjinglingharnessandthecroakofheavy-ladenaxlessoundedfromoutside.Fromthedistancecameaclearcall.«Stablebuck—ooh,sta-ablebuck!»Andthen,«WherethehellisthatGoddamnnigger?»

           Georgestaredathissolitairelay,andthenheflouncedthecardstogetherandturnedaroundtoLennie.Lenniewaslyingdownonthebunkwatchinghim.

           «Look,Lennie!Thishereain’tnosetup.I’mscared.YougonnahavetroublewiththatCurleyguy.Iseenthatkindbefore.Hewaskindafeelin’youout.Hefigureshe’sgotyouscaredandhe’sgonnatakeasockatyouthefirstchancehegets.»

           Lennie’seyeswerefrightened.«Idon’twantnotrouble,"hesaidplaintively.«Don’tlethimsockme,George.»