О мышах и людях

           Candylookedhelplesslyathim,forSlim’sopinionswerelaw.«Maybeit’dhurthim,"hesuggested.«Idon’tmindtakin’careofhim.»

           Carlsonsaid,«ThewayI’dshoothim,hewouldn’tfeelnothing.I’dputthegunrightthere.»Hepointedwithhistoe.«Rightbackofthehead.Hewouldn’tevenquiver.»

           Candylookedforhelpfromfacetoface.Itwasquitedarkoutsidebynow.Ayounglaboringmancamein.Hisslopingshoulderswerebentforwardandhewalkedheavilyonhisheels,asthoughhecarriedtheinvisiblegrainbag.Hewenttohisbunkandputhishatonhisshelf.Thenhepickedapulpmagazinefromhisshelfandbroughtittothelightoverthetable.«DidIshowyouthis,Slim?»heasked.

           «Showmewhat?»

           Theyoungmanturnedtothebackofthemagazine,putitdownonthetableandpointedwithhisfinger.«Rightthere,readthat.»Slimbentoverit.«Goon,"saidtheyoungman.«Readitoutloud.»

           «’DearEditor,’"Slimreadslowly.«’IreadyourmagforsixyearsandIthinkitisthebestonthemarket.IlikestoriesbyPeterRand.Ithinkheisawhing-ding.GiveusmoreliketheDarkRider.Idon’twritemanyletters.JustthoughtIwouldtellyouIthinkyourmagisthebestdime’sworthIeverspent.’"

           Slimlookedupquestioningly.«Whatyouwantmetoreadthatfor?»

           Whitsaid,«Goon.Readthenameatthebottom.»

           Slimread,«’Yoursforsuccess,WilliamTenner.’"HeglancedupatWhitagain.«Whatyouwantmetoreadthatfor?»