Since there are various editions of John
Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, it is often difficult to convey the
correct page number. But, near the middle of the third scene in which George and Lennie
talk privately, having forgotten old Candy who lies on his bunk morosely after Carlson
has shot his dog, Lennie asks George to describe the farm that we will someday have.
Overhearing them, Candy, turning slowly over, is drawn into their dream. As George
invites Candy into their plan of a place of their own, he advises Candy not to tell
anyone else as they may get fired. Lennie and Candy nod in agreement and "they were
grinning with delight."
Then, in Scene 4, Lennie, who wants
to pet the puppies, appears in the doorway of the barn. As Crooks scowls at Lennie,
"Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends." When Crooks tells him he has
no right to enter, Lennie excuses himself, saying he has not done anything; then he
tells Crooks that he has seen his light: "...I thought I could jus' come in an' set."
In this scene, Lennie probably approaches kindness as much as he can in his child-like
mentality that is really not capable of much altruism.
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