Chapter 1

There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle–up near water.

Evening of a hot day started the little wind to moving among the leaves.

“Lennie!” he said sharply. “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much.”

The rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover.

On the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them.