О мышах и людях

           «TakeCurley.Hishairisjus’likewire.Butmineissoftandfine.‘CourseIbrushitalot.Thatmakesitfine.Here—feelrighthere.»ShetookLennie’shandandputitonherhead.«Feelrightaroun’therean’seehowsoftitis.»

           Lennie’sbigfingersfelltostrokingherhair.

           «Don’tyoumussitup,"shesaid.

           Lenniesaid,«Oh!That’snice,"andhestrokedharder.«Oh,that’snice.»

           «Lookout,now,you’llmussit.»Andthenshecriedangrily,«Youstopitnow,you’llmessitallup.»Shejerkedherheadsideways,andLennie’sfingersclosedonherhairandhungon.«Letgo,"shecried.«Youletgo!»

           Lenniewasinapanic.Hisfacewascontorted.Shescreamedthen,andLennie’sotherhandclosedoverhermouthandnose.«Pleasedon’t,"hebegged.«Oh!Pleasedon’tdothat.George’llbemad.»

           Shestruggledviolentlyunderhishands.Herfeetbatteredonthehayandshewrithedtobefree;andfromunderLennie’shandcameamuffledscreaming.Lenniebegantocrywithfright.«Oh!Pleasedon’tdononeofthat,"hebegged.«GeorgegonnasayIdoneabadthing.Heain’tgonnaletmetendnorabbits.»Hemovedhishandalittleandherhoarsecrycameout.ThenLenniegrewangry.«Nowdon’t,"hesaid.«Idon’twantyoutoyell.Yougonnagetmeintroublejus’likeGeorgesaysyouwill.Nowdon’tyoudothat.»Andshecontinuedtostruggle,andhereyeswerewildwithterror.Heshookherthen,andhewasangrywithher.«Don’tyougoyellin’,"hesaid,andheshookher;andherbodyfloppedlikeafish.Andthenshewasstill,forLenniehadbrokenherneck.

           Helookeddownather,andcarefullyheremovedhishandfromoverhermouth,andshelaystill.