"The next afternoon, Lennie is in the barn. All of the other men are outside playing a game of horseshoes, and Lennie's only company is his dead puppy. Lennie had accidentally killed it. He fears that George will not let him tend and feed the rabbits if George knows that he killed the puppy."
" "
"While Lennie wonders what to do, Curley's wife appears. She tries to get Lennie to talk to her, but Lennie is reluctant, since George had threatened to forbid him from tending his rabbits if Lennie ever did so. When she directs Lennie's attention to his puppy, though, Lennie forgets about not talking to her. He explains everything to her."
5
"Curley's wife listens sympathetically, and she tells Lennie about her aspirations of being an actress, and how she believes her mother deliberately thwarted her plans."
" "
"She becomes angered by Lennie's continual references to rabbits, and asks him what his attraction to them is. Lennie explains that he likes to touch and pet soft things, like rabbit fur."
" "
"Curley's wife allows Lennie to stroke her hair, but panics when he won't let go. She begins to struggle and scream, and Lennie, also in a state of panic, shakes her to make her stop. However, he shakes her so violently that her neck is broken and she dies instantly."
7
"Lennie knows that he has"
"*done another bad thing"
"and remembers that George told him to go and hide in the brush down by the river, so he quickly runs there."
" "
"Some time later, Candy enters the barn and discovers the body of Curley's wife. He runs and fetches George."
" "
"George realises what has happened, and says that he has to tell the others. Candy protests, rightly pointing out that Curley would deliver no mercy to anyone who had killed his wife. Candy is in favour of letting Lennie escape. He asks George if it is still possible to buy the house, but his dreams are shattered when George says it isn't."
3
"When George tells the labourers the news, they all go into a frenzy, and seem affected by blood lust. Curley is furious and vows to kill Lennie. Carlson rushes off to get his gun, and even Whit wants to join in the hunt."
" "
"Carlson reports that his gun has been stolen, and everyone thinks that Lennie is responsible. George begs Curley to have mercy on his companion, but Curley says he can't because Lennie has a gun. All of the men run off except for Candy, who lies down in despair."
