The door was open and Crooks could hear the horses in the barn moving around quietly and eating their hay. Crooks was sitting on his bunk, with his shirt pulled out of his jeans at the back. He had a bottle of medicine in one hand. With his other hand, he was rubbing his back to ease the pain that felt most of the time. Lennie came silently to the open doorway of the harness room and stood there. For a moment Crooks did not see him, but when he raised his eyes, he immediately became suspicious and frowned. He took his hand away from his back Lennie smiled innocently, trying to make friends with Crooks. You've got no right to come in here," Crooks said sharply This is my room. I'm the only one who's got the right to come in. Lennie stood there, not knowing what to do. 'Everybody's gone to Soledad, he said, "Slim, George and all the others. George told me to stay here and keep out of trouble. I saw your light Lennie took one step into the room. Then he remembered what Crooks had said and stepped back to the door again. "I've been looking at the puppies,' he said. "Slim told me not to stroke them so much. "You've been taking them out of the nest all the time," said Crooks. "I'm surprised that the mother hasn't moved them somewhere else. "Oh, she doesn't mind. She lets me stroke them," said Lennie, moving into the room again. Crooks frowned, but Lennie was smiling again. can see that you're not going to leave me alone," Crooks said, so come in and sit down for a while." His voice was more friendly. Did you say all the men have gone into town? All except old Candy, Lennie replied. "He's sitting in the bunk house he's thinking.' Thinking!" asked Crooks, "What's Candy thinking about