Candy has been listening to George and Lennie’s conversation. How does he become important to their dream?

Candy, who has been listening in, asks how much such a farm would cost. George, though put off at first by Candy's nosiness, eventually lets on that he has a lead on a plot of land that could be bought for six hundred dollars. Candy reveals that he has a secret stash of money - three-hundred and fifty dollars - and offers to give it all to George and Lennie if they'll let him live on their farm and work as a housekeeper.