Free Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

grass to the rabbits,” Lennie broke in. “I wouldn’t never forget to feed them. When we gon’ta do it, George?”
    “In one month. Right squack in one month. Know what I’m gon’ta do? I’m gon’ta write to them old people that owns the place that we’ll take it. An’ Candy’ll send a hunderd dollars to bind her.”
    “Sure will,” said Candy. “They got a good stove there?”
    “Sure, got a nice stove, burns coal or wood.”
    “I’m gonna take my pup,” said Lennie. “I bet by Christ he likes it there, by Jesus.”
    Voices were approaching from outside. George said quickly, “Don’t tell nobody about it. Jus’ us three an’ nobody else. They li’ble to can us so we can’t make no stake. Jus’ go on like we was gonna buck barley the rest of our lives, then all of a sudden some day we’ll go get our pay an’ scram outta here.”
    Lennie and Candy nodded, and they were grinning with delight. “Don’t tell nobody,” Lennie said to himself.
    Candy said, “George.”
    “Huh?”
    “I oughtta of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t oughtta of let no stranger shoot my dog.”
    The door opened. Slim came in, followed by Curley and Carlson and Whit. Slim’s hands were black with tar and he was scowling. Curley hung close to his elbow.
    Curley said, “Well, I didn’t mean nothing, Slim. I just ast you.”
    Slim said, “Well, you been askin’ me too often. I’m gettin’ God damn sick of it. If you can’t look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me.”
    “I’m jus’ tryin’ to tell you I didn’t mean nothing,” said Curley. “I jus’ thought you might of saw her.”
    “Why’n’t you tell her to stay the hell home where she belongs?” said Carlson. “You let her hang around bunkhouses and pretty soon you’re gonna have som’pin on your hands and you won’t be able to do nothing about it.”
    Curley whirled on Carlson. “You keep outta this les’ you wanta step outside.”
    Carlson laughed. “You God damn punk,” he said. “You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an’ you couldn’t make it stick. Slim throwed a scare inta you. You’re yella as a frog belly. I don’t care if you’re the best welter in the country. You come for me, an’ I’ll kick your God damn head off.”
    Candy joined the attack with joy. “Glove fulla Vaseline, ” he said disgustedly. Curley glared at him. His eyes slipped on past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch.
    Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. “What the hell you laughin’ at?”
    Lennie looked blankly at him. “Huh?”
    Then Curley’s rage exploded. “Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show ya who’s yella.”
    Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then he got up and tried to retreat. Curley was balanced and poised. He slashed at Lennie with his left, and then smashed down his nose with a right. Lennie gave a cry of terror. Blood welled from his nose. “George,” he cried. “Make ’um let me alone, George.” He backed until he was against the wall, and Curley followed, slugging him in the face. Lennie’s hands remained at his sides; he was too frightened to defend himself.
    George was on his feet yelling, “Get him, Lennie. Don’t let him do it.”
    Lennie covered his face with huge paws and bleated with terror. He cried, “Make ’um stop, George.” Then Curley attacked his stomach and cut off his wind.
    Slim jumped up. “The dirty little rat,” he cried, “I’ll get ’um myself.”
    George put out his hand and grabbed Slim. “Wait a minute,” he shouted. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Get ’im, Lennie!”
    Lennie took his hands away from his face and looked about for George, and Curley slashed at his eyes. The big face was covered with blood. George yelled again, “I said get him.”
    Curley’s fist was swinging when