Американские боги

           Shetoldthemallthesethings,andtheybelieved,becauseshebelieved.

           Thefarmprospered,andEssieTregowanplacedachinasaucerofmilkoutsidethebackdoor,eachnight,forthepiskies.AndaftereightmonthsJohnRichardsoncamea-knockingquietlyonEssie’sbedroomdoor,andaskedherforfavorsofthekindawomanshowsaman,andEssietoldhimhowshockedandhurtshewas,apoorwidowwoman,andanindenturedservantnobetterthanaslave,tobeaskedtoprostituteherselfforamanwhomshehadhadsomuchrespectfor-andanindenturedservantcouldnotmarry,sohowhecouldeventhinktotormentanindenturedtransporteegirlsoshecouldnotbringherselftothink-andhernut-browneyesfilledwithtears,suchthatRichardsonfoundhimselfapologizingtoher,andtheupshotofitwasthatJohnRichardsonwoundup,inthatcorridor,ofthathotsummer’snight,goingdownononekneetoEssieTregowanandproposinganendtoherindentureandofferinghishandinmarriage.Now,althoughsheacceptedhim,shewouldnotsleepanightwithhimuntilitwaslegal,whereuponshemovedfromthelittleroomintheattictothemasterbedroominthefrontofthehouse;andifsomeofFarmerRichardson’sfriendsandtheirwivescuthimwhennexttheysawhimintown,manymoreofthemwereoftheopinionthatthenewMistressRichardsonwasadamnfine-lookingwoman,andthatJohnnieRichardsonhaddonequitewellforhimself.