О мышах и людях

           Ashotsoundedinthedistance.Themenlookedquicklyattheoldman.Everyheadturnedtowardhim.

           Foramomenthecontinuedtostareattheceiling.Thenherolledslowlyoverandfacedthewallandlaysilent.

           Georgeshuffledthecardsnoisilyanddealtthem.Whitdrewascoringboardtohimandsetthepegstostart.Whitsaid,«Iguessyouguysreallycomeheretowork.»

           «Howdoyamean?»Georgeasked.

           Whitlaughed.«Well,yacomeonaFriday.YougottwodaystoworktillSunday.»

           «Idon’tseehowyoufigure,"saidGeorge.

           Whitlaughedagain.«Youdoifyoubeenaroundthesebigranchesmuch.GuythatwantstolookoveraranchcomesinSat’dayafternoon.HegetsSat’daynightsupperan’threemealsonSunday,andhecanquitMondaymornin’afterbreakfastwithoutturninghishand.ButyoucometoworkFridaynoon.Yougottoputinadayan’ahalfnomatterhowyoufigure.»

           Georgelookedathimlevelly.«We’regonnastickaroun’awhile,"hesaid.«Mean’Lennie’sgonnarollupastake.»

           Thedooropenedquietlyandthestablebuckputinhishead;aleannegrohead,linedwithpain,theeyespatient.«Mr.Slim.»

           SlimtookhiseyesfromoldCandy.«Huh?Oh!Hello,Crooks.What’s’amatter?»

           «Youtoldmetowarmuptarforthatmule’sfoot.Igotitwarm.»