Американские боги
Chapter 4
Eightweekslater,theNeptunesetsailagain,andtheprettyyoungbridewiththechestnuthairwavedherhusbandgoodbyefromdockside.Thenshereturnedtohermother-in-law’shouse,where,theoldwomanbeingabsent,Essiehelpedherselftoalengthofsilk,severalgoldcoins,andasilverpotinwhichtheoldwomankeptherbuttons,andpocketingthesethingsEssievanishedintothestewsofLondon.
OverthefollowingtwoyearsEssiebecameanaccomplishedshoplifter,herwideskirtscapableofconcealingamultitudeofsins,consistingchieflyofstolenboltsofsilkandlace,andshelivedlifetothefull.Essiegavethanksforherescapesfromhervicissitudestoallthecreaturesthatshehadbeentoldofasachild,tothepiskies(whoseinfluence,shewascertain,extendedasfarasLondon),andshewouldputawoodenbowlofmilkonawindowledgeeachnight,althoughherfriendslaughedather;butshehadthelastlaugh,asherfriendsgotthepoxortheclapandEssieremainedinthepeakofhealth.
Shewasayearshyofhertwentiethbirthdaywhenfatedealtheranillblow:shesatintheCrossedForksInnoffFleetStreet,inBellYard,whenshesawayoungmanenterandseathimselfnearthefireplace,freshdownfromtheuniversity.Oho!Apigeonripefortheplucking,thinksEssietoherself,andshesitsnexttohim,andtellshimwhatafineyoungmanheis,andwithonehandshebeginstostrokehisknee,whileherotherhand,morecarefully,goesinsearchofhispocketwatch.
