Американские боги

           Severalyearspassed,andEssiewasnolongerathinlittlething:nowshecurvedandbillowedliketheswellofthegreensea,andherbrowneyeslaughed,andherchestnuthairtossedandcurled.Essie’seyeslightedonBartholomew,thesquire’seighteen-year-oldson,homefromRugby,andshewentatnighttothestandingstoneontheedgeofthewoodland,andsheputsomebreadthatBartholomewhadbeeneatingbuthadleftunfinishedonthestone,wrappedinacutstrandofherownhair.AndontheverynextdayBartholomewcameandtalkedtoher,andlookedonherapprovinglywithhisowneyes,thedangerousblueofaskywhenastormiscoming,whileshewascleaningoutthegrateinhisbedroom.Hehadsuchdangerouseyes,saidEssieTregowan.

           SoonenoughBartholomewwentuptoOxford,and,whenEssie’sconditionbecameapparent,shewasdismissed.Butthebabewasstillborn,andasafavortoEssie’smother,whowasaveryfinecook,thesquire’swifeprevaileduponherhusbandtoreturntheformermaidentoherformerpositioninthescullery.

           ButEssie’sloveforBartholomewhadturnedtohatredforhisfamily,andwithintheyearshetookforhernewbeauamanfromaneighboringvillage,withabadreputation,whowentbythenameofJosiahHorner.Andonenight,whenthefamilyslept,Essiearoseinthenightandunboltedthesidedoor,toletherloverin.Herifledthehousewhilethefamilyslepton.