Американские боги

           Hesquinteddownather,andshesquintedrightbackupathim,searchinghismoon-faceforacluetohisidentity.Helookedasyoungasoneofherowngrandchildren,yethehadcalledherbyheroldname,andtherewasaburrinhisvoicesheknewfromherchildhood,fromtherocksandthemoorsofherhome.

           "You’reaCornishman?"sheasked.

           "ThatIam,aCousinJack,"saidthered-hairedman."Orrather,thatIwas,butnowI’mhereinthisnewworld,wherenobodyputsoutaleormilkforanhonestfellow,oraloafofbreadcomeharvesttime."

           Theoldwomansteadiedthebowlofpeasuponherlap."Ifyou’rewhoIthinkyouare,"shesaid,"thenI’venoquarrelwithyou."Inthehouse,shecouldhearPhyllidagrumblingtothehousekeeper.

           "NorIwithyou,"saidthered-hairedfellow,alittlesadly,"althoughitwasyouthatbroughtmehere,youandafewlikeyou,intothislandwithnotimeformagicandnoplaceforpiskiesandsuchfolk."

           "You’vedonememanyagoodturn,"shesaid.

           "Goodandill,"saidthesquintingstranger."We’relikethewind.Weblowsbothways."

           Essienodded.

           "Willyoutakemyhand,EssieTregowan?"Andhereachedoutahandtoher.Freckleditwas,andalthoughEssie’seyesightwasgoingshecouldseeeachorangehaironthebackofhishand,glowinggoldenintheafternoonsunlight.Shebitherlip.Then,hesitantly,sheplacedherblue-knottedhandinhis.

           Shewasstillwarmwhentheyfoundher,althoughthelifehadfledherbodyandonlyhalfthepeaswereshelled.