This chapter starts with the description of George and Lennies’
new living residence on the farm. They meet an old man who informs them
that the boss is mad that they had not arrived last night and he had to send a
team out with two men short. This old man has one hand cut off and has the
permanent job of sweeping the grounds. He also has an extremely old dog that has
lost his teeth and smells horrible. The Boss comes into the bunkhouse and
expresses his frustration with George and Lennie and informs them they will be
going out in the afternoon to work. Then the boss asks Lennie a question which
he responds to against George’s orders to not talk. After laying out their stuff and
talking more with old guy whose name is Candy, a short little fellow comes into the
bunkhouse and demands to know if they have seen his wife. This man’s name is Curley