First, we learn that Lennie and George are opposites in terms of their physical appearance. George is "small and quick" and Lennie is huge and walks like a bear. These physical descriptions also give indications of each man's personality. George is intelligent and skeptical. Lennie is slow and simplistic. Note that they are walking single file at the beginning. The trail might be narrow but this does suggest that, with George in the lead, George is the leader of the two men.
Their dialogue demonstrates that they are friends and that George is the leader and somewhat of a parent or guardian to the simplistic Lennie. Lennie got into some trouble at their last job (Weed) and George got him out of it. We really see how simple and innocent Lennie is when George makes him get rid of the dead mouse he'd been carrying.
The hope of owning their own land is a dream that sustains both men. Lennie asks George to repeat their plight and hopes for a better future. George notes that ranch workers are typically lonely. Lennie counters with the notion that he and George are different because they have their friendship and a plan for a future. (This is a dialogue that they have had many times before. Lennie always asks George to talk through it to make him feel better. Lennie recites his lines like a prayer with the hope that they will eventually "live off the fatta the lan'.")
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