О мышах и людях

           OldCandyturnedslowlyover.Hiseyeswerewideopen.HewatchedGeorgecarefully.

           Lenniesaid,«Tellaboutthatplace,George.»

           «Ijus’tol’you,jus’las’night.»

           «Goon—tellagain,George.»

           «Well,it’stenacres,"saidGeorge.«Gotalittlewin’mill.Gotalittleshackonit,an’achickenrun.Gotakitchen,orchard,cherries,apples,peaches,‘cots,nuts,gotafewberries.They’saplaceforalfalfaandplentywatertofloodit.They’sapigpen—"

           «An’rabbits,George.»

           «Noplaceforrabbitsnow,butIcouldeasybuildafewhutchesandyoucouldfeedalfalfatotherabbits.»

           «Damnright,Icould,"saidLennie.«YouGoddamnrightIcould.»

           George’shandsstoppedworkingwiththecards.Hisvoicewasgrowingwarmer.«An’wecouldhaveafewpigs.Icouldbuildasmokehouseliketheonegran’pahad,an’whenwekillapigwecansmokethebaconandthehams,andmakesausagean’alllikethat.An’whenthesalmonrunupriverwecouldcatchahundredof‘eman’salt‘emdownorsmoke‘em.Wecouldhavethemforbreakfast.Theyain’tnothingsoniceassmokedsalmon.Whenthefruitcomeinwecouldcanit—andtomatoes,they’reeasytocan.Ever’Sundaywe’dkillachickenorarabbit.Maybewe’dhaveacoworagoat,andthecreamissoGoddamnthickyougottocutitwithaknifeandtakeitoutwithaspoon.»