О мышах и людях

           Jus’goonlikewewasgonnabuckbarleytherestofourlives,thenallofasuddensomedaywe’llgogetourpayan’scramoutahere.»

           LennieandCandynodded,andtheyweregrinningwithdelight.«Don’ttellnobody,"Lenniesaidtohimself.

           Candysaid,«George.»

           «Huh?»

           «Ioughttoofshotthatdogmyself,George.Ishouldn’toughttoofletnostrangershootmydog.»

           Thedooropened.Slimcamein,followedbyCurleyandCarlsonandWhit.Slim’shandswereblackwithtarandhewasscowling.Curleyhungclosetohiselbow.

           Curleysaid,«Well,Ididn’tmeannothing,Slim.Ijustastyou.»

           Slimsaid,«Well,youbeenaskin’metoooften.I’mgettin’Goddamnsickofit.Ifyoucan’tlookafteryourownGoddamnwife,whatyouexpectmetodoaboutit?Youlayoffame.»

           «I’mjus’tryin’totellyouIdidn’tmeannothing,"saidCurley.«Ijus’thoughtyoumightofsawher.»

           «Why’n’tyoutellhertostaythehellhomewhereshebelongs?»saidCarlson.«Youletherhangaroundbunkhousesandprettysoonyou’regonnahavesom’pinonyourhandsandyouwon’tbeabletodonothingaboutit.»

           CurleywhirledonCarlson.«Youkeepoutathisles’youwantastepoutside.»