 Lennie tells her of his love of stroking soft things, and Curley's wife invites him to stroke her hair.Lennie is fascinated with the softness of her hair, and when she, at first annoyed and later terrified, tries to free herself from his grasp, Lennie, frightened at being discovered with her, tries to smother her screams, and then, shaking her violently in anger, breaks her neck.Dimly realizing what he has done, Lennie furtively leaves the barn.