О мышах и людях

           Thereedsjerkedslightlyinthecurrent. Farofftowardthehighwayamanshoutedsomething,andanothermanshoutedback. Thesycamorelimbsrustledunderalittlewindthatdiedimmediately. 

           «George—whyain’twegoin’ontotheranchandgetsomesupper? Theygotsupperattheranch.» 

           Georgerolledonhisside. «Noreasonatallforyou. Ilikeithere. Tomorrawe’regonnagotowork. Iseenthrashin’machinesonthewaydown. Thatmeanswe’llbebuckin’grainbags,bustin’agut. TonightI’mgonnalayrighthereandlookup. Ilikeit.» 

           LenniegotuponhiskneesandlookeddownatGeorge. «Ain’twegonnahavenosupper?» 

           «Sureweare,ifyougatherupsomedeadwillowsticks. Igotthreecansofbeansinmybindle. Yougetafireready. I’llgiveyouamatchwhenyougetthestickstogether. Thenwe’llheatthebeansandhavesupper.» 

           Lenniesaid,«Ilikebeanswithketchup.» 

           «Well,weain’tgotnoketchup. Yougogetwood. An’don’tyoufoolaround.It’llbedarkbeforelong.» 

           Lennielumberedtohisfeetanddisappearedinthebrush. Georgelaywherehewasandwhistledsoftlytohimself. ThereweresoundsofsplashingsdowntheriverinthedirectionLenniehadtaken. Georgestoppedwhistlingandlistened. «Poorbastard,"hesaidsoftly,andthenwentonwhistlingagain. 

           InamomentLenniecamecrashingbackthroughthebrush. Hecarriedonesmallwillowstickinhishand. Georgesatup. «Awright,"hesaidbrusquely. «Gi’methatmouse!»