Collection was entered by two works of John Стейнбека, sanctified to the colourful world of slums of the Californian city Монтерея 1930th, the inhabitants of that trade pilferage, by illegal frauds and often appear behind bars. But rather rude manners combine for them with the elevated aspirations, and propensity to hypocrisy turns around a touching simple-heartedness. Стейнбек in a preface to "Quarter of Тортилья-Флэт" answered so about the heroes: "People, that I know and love| people that primely adapt to the environment. Such property of human nature is called truly philosophical attitude toward life, and it is a wonderful thing".