О мышах и людях

           Carlsonhurriedout.SlimturnedtothewhimperingLennie.«Itain’tyourfault,"hesaid.«Thispunksurehaditcomin’tohim.But—Jesus!Heain’thardlygotnohan’left.»Slimhurriedout,andinamomentreturnedwithatincupofwater.HeheldittoCurley’slips.

           Georgesaid,«Slim,willwegetcannednow?Weneedthestake.WillCurley’soldmancanusnow?»

           Slimsmiledwryly.HekneltdownbesideCurley.«Yougotyoursensesinhandenoughtolisten?»heasked.Curleynodded.«Well,thenlisten,"Slimwenton.«Ithinkyougotyourhan’caughtinamachine.Ifyoudon’ttellnobodywhathappened,weain’tgoingto.Butyoujus’tellan’trytogetthisguycannedandwe’lltellever’body,an’thenwillyougetthelaugh.»

           «Iwon’ttell,"saidCurley.HeavoidedlookingatLennie.

           Buggywheelssoundedoutside.SlimhelpedCurleyup.«Comeonnow.Carlson’sgonnatakeyoutoadoctor.»HehelpedCurleyoutthedoor.Thesoundofwheelsdrewaway.InamomentSlimcamebackintothebunkhouse.HelookedatLennie,stillcrouchedfearfullyagainstthewall.«Le’sseeyourhands,"heasked.

           Lenniestuckouthishands.

           «Christawmighty,Ihatetohaveyoumadatme,"Slimsaid.

           Georgebrokein,«Lenniewasjus’scairt,"heexplained.«Hedidn’tknowwhattodo.Itoldyounobodyoughtnevertofighthim.No,IguessitwasCandyItold.»

           Candynoddedsolemnly.«That’sjus’whatyoudone,"hesaid.«RightthismorningwhenCurleyfirstlitintilyourfren’,yousays,‘HebetternotfoolwithLennieifheknowswhat’sgoodfor‘um.’