О мышах и людях

           Georgesaid,«Whatwasityouwantedtoseemeabout?»

           CandypointedatCurley’swife.Georgestared.«What’sthematterwithher?»heasked.Hesteppedcloser,andthenheechoedCandy’swords.«Oh,JesusChrist!»Hewasdownonhiskneesbesideher.Heputhishandoverherheart.Andfinally,whenhestoodup,slowlyandstiffly,hisfacewasashardandtightaswood,andhiseyeswerehard.

           Candysaid,«Whatdoneit?»

           Georgelookedcoldlyathim.«Ain’tyougotanyidear?»heasked.AndCandywassilent.«Ishouldofknew,"Georgesaidhopelessly.«IguessmaybewaybackinmyheadIdid.»

           Candyasked,«Whatwegonnadonow,George?Whatwegonnadonow?»

           Georgewasalongtimeinanswering.«Guess...wegottatellthe...guys.Iguesswegottaget‘iman’lock‘imup.Wecan’tlet‘imgetaway.Why,thepoorbastard’dstarve.»Andhetriedtoreassurehimself.«Maybethey’lllock‘imupan’beniceto‘im.»

           ButCandysaidexcitedly,«Weoughtalet‘imgetaway.Youdon’tknowthatCurley.Curleygon’tawantaget‘imlynched.Curley’llget‘imkilled.»

           GeorgewatchedCandy’slips.«Yeah,"hesaidatlast,«that’sright,Curleywill.An’theotherguyswill.»AndhelookedbackatCurley’swife.

           NowCandyspokehisgreatestfear.«Youan’mecangetthatlittleplace,can’twe,George?Youan’mecangotherean’livenice,can’twe,George?Can’twe?»

           BeforeGeorgeanswered,Candydroppedhisheadandlookeddownatthehay.Heknew.