О мышах и людях

           Candysaid,«Maybetomorra.Le’swaittilltomorra.»

           «Idon’tseenoreasonforit,"saidCarlson.Hewenttohisbunk,pulledhisbagfromunderneathitandtookoutaLugerpistol.«Le’sgetitoverwith,"hesaid.«Wecan’tsleepwithhimstinkin’aroundinhere.»Heputthepistolinhishippocket.

           CandylookedalongtimeatSlimtotrytofindsomereversal.AndSlimgavehimnone.AtlastCandysaidsoftlyandhopelessly,«Awright—take‘im.»Hedidnotlookdownatthedogatall.Helaybackonhisbunkandcrossedhisarmsbehindhisheadandstaredattheceiling.

           FromhispocketCarlsontookalittleleatherthong.Hestoopedoverandtieditaroundtheolddog’sneck.AllthemenexceptCandywatchedhim.«Comeboy.Comeon,boy,"hesaidgently.AndhesaidapologeticallytoCandy,«Hewon’tevenfeelit.»Candydidnotmovenoranswerhim.Hetwitchedthethong.«Comeon,boy.»Theolddoggotslowlyandstifflytohisfeetandfollowedthegentlypullingleash.

           Slimsaid,«Carlson.»

           «Yeah?»

           «Youknowwhattodo.»

           «Whatyamean,Slim?»

           «Takeashovel,"saidSlimshortly.

           «Oh,sure!Igetyou.»Heledthedogoutintothedarkness.

           Georgefollowedtothedoorandshutthedoorandsetthelatchgentlyinitsplace.Candylayrigidlyonhisbedstaringattheceiling.