When George and Lennie first arrive at the ranch, they are told they will be on Silm’s team. Slim is a “big tall skinner.” They hear more about Slim’s reputation from Candy, as part of the explanation of why they should stay away from Curley’s wife.
"Nice fella. Slim don't need to wear no high-heeled boots on a grain team. I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. An'I seen her give Carlson the eye." (Ch. 2)
Therefore, by the time they meet Slim they have been told twice that he is tall, and once that he is a nice guy. Despite all of the warnings about Curley’s wife, the men hear Slim talking to her easily. Slim’s character thus built up, he finally walks into the room.
Slim is described as tall, of course, wearing a Stinson hat. He is called “the prince of the ranch” because he runs the mule team, an important and difficult job. We are told that “he moved with a majesty achieved only by royalty and master craftsmen.”
There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love. This was Slim, the jerkline skinner. His hatchet face was ageless. (Ch. 2)
The reverential way Slim is described turns out to be fitting. He is a nice guy. He is impressed with the fact that George and Lennie travel around together. Everything he does is done with dignity, but he is described as friendly.
Slim has a bunch of puppies, which gets Lennie’s attention right away. George tells him to ask for one. Slim easily and graciously gives him one, and when George thanks him, he says, "It wasn't nothing," because he has too many anyway.
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