О мышах и людях

           «Whatpup,George?Iain’tgotnopup.»

           Georgewentquicklytohim,grabbedhimbytheshoulderandrolledhimover.HereacheddownandpickedthetinypuppyfromwhereLenniehadbeenconcealingitagainsthisstomach.

           Lenniesatupquickly.«Give‘umtome,George.»

           Georgesaid,«Yougetrightupan’takethispupbacktothenest.He’sgottasleepwithhismother.Youwanttokillhim?Justbornlastnightan’youtakehimoutofthenest.YoutakehimbackorI’lltellSlimnottoletyouhavehim.»

           Lennieheldouthishandspleadingly.«Give‘umtome,George.I’lltake‘umback.Ididn’tmeannoharm,George.HonestIdidn’t.Ijus’wantedtopet‘umalittle.»

           Georgehandedthepuptohim.«Awright.Yougethimbacktherequick,anddon’tyoutakehimoutnomore.You’llkillhim,thefirstthingyouknow.»Lenniefairlyscuttledoutoftheroom.

           Slimhadnotmoved.HiscalmeyesfollowedLennieoutthedoor.«Jesus,"hesaid.«He’sjus’likeakid,ain’the?»

           «Surehe’sjes’likeakid.Thereain’tnomoreharminhimthanakidneither,excepthe’ssostrong.Ibethewon’tcomeinheretosleeptonight.He’dsleeprightalongsidethatboxinthebarn.Well—let‘im.Heain’tdoin’noharmoutthere.»

           Itwasalmostdarkoutsidenow.OldCandy,theswamper,cameinandwenttohisbunk,andbehindhimstruggledhisolddog.«Hello,Slim.Hello,George.Didn’tneitherofyouplayhorseshoes?»