Американские боги
Chapter 4
AsthewidowRichardsonshuckedthepeaswithheroldhands,shegottothinkingabouthowfineitwouldbetowalkoncemoreonthemoorsandthesaltycliffsofhernativeCornwall,andshethoughtofsittingontheshingleasalittlegirl,waitingforherfather’sshiptoreturnfromthegrayseas.Herhands,blue-knuckledandclumsy,openedthepeapods,forcedthefullpeasintoanearthenwarebowl,anddroppedtheemptypeapodsontoherapronedlap.Andthenshefoundherselfremembering,asshehadnotrememberedforalongtime,alifewelllost:howshehadtwitchedpursesandfilchedsilkswithhercleverfingers;andnowsheremembersthewardenofNewgatetellingherthatitwillbeagoodtwelveweeksbeforehercasewouldbeheard,andthatshecouldescapethegallowsifshecouldpleadherbelly,andwhataprettythingshewas-andhowshehadturnedtothewallandbravelyliftedherskirts,hatingherselfandhatinghim,butknowinghewasright;andthefeelofthelifequickeninginsideherthatmeantthatshecouldcheatdeathforalittlelonger...
"EssieTregowan?"saidthestranger.
ThewidowRichardsonlookedup,shadinghereyesintheMaysunshine."DoIknowyou?"sheasked.Shehadnotheardhimapproach.
Themanwasdressedallingreen:dustygreentrews,greenjacket,andadarkgreencoat.Hishairwasacarrotyred,andhegrinnedatheralllopsided.Therewassomethingaboutthemanthatmadeherhappytolookathim,andsomethingelsethatwhisperedofdanger."Youmightsaythatyouknowme,"hesaid
