About the rabbits!' Lennie exclaimed. "You're mad said Crooks, absolutely mad. Which rabbits are you talking about?' The rabbits that we're going to get. l'm going to look after them, cut grass and give them water. "You're absolutely mad, Crooks repeated. It's true," said Lennie quietly. "We're going to do it. We're going to get a little ranch and live there, really live Crooks moved around on his bunk to himself more comfortable. "Sit down," he said in a friendly voice Lennie sat down near Crooks' bunk. "You think it's a lie, he said, "but it's true. Every word's the truth. You can ask George if you like Is George the man you travel with?' asked Crooks, "That's right. We go everywhere together "You're lucky," Crooks continued. "You've got somebody who goes around with you and talks to you. I've got nobody. I was born here in California. My father had a chicken ranch with about ten acres of land. There wasn't another black family for miles around. Now I'm the only black man on this ranch and there's only one black family in Soledad.' He laughed a little at his loneliness. I've got nobody to talk to. If I say something, the other men don't listen because l'm just a nigger.' before 1 can Lennie asked, 'How long do you think it'll be stroke the puppies! forget everything," he said. A man Crooks laughed again. "You anybody any secrets. can talk to you and know that you won't tell of weeks, It'll be OK to stroke the puppies in a couple Crooks leant forward excitedly, trying to make Lennie understand the difference between the I'm just a nigger, he continued, a nigger with an injured back, and nobody cares about me. You've got George and he talks to you, even if you forget what he says. He's with you all the time and he looks after you, but I've got nobody