Американские боги
Chapter 7
"Whatdidyouthink?"Shadowaskedthedog,tryingtoputthelittlegirlatherease."Wasthatcool?"
Theblackdoglickeditslongsnout.Thenitsaid,inadeep,dryvoice,"IsawHarryHoudinionce,andbelieveme,man,youarenoHarryHoudini."
Thelittlegirllookedattheanimals,shelookedupatShadow,andthensheranoff,herfeetpoundingthesidewalkasifallthepowersofhellwereafterher.Thetwoanimalswatchedhergo.Thecrane-likemanhadreachedthedog.Heleaneddownandscratcheditshigh,pointedears.
"Comeon,"saidthemaninthegold-rimmedspectaclestothedog."Itwasonlyacointrick.It’snotlikehewasdoinganunderwaterescape."
"Notyet,"saidthedog."Buthewill."Thegoldenlightwasdone,andthegrayoftwilighthadbegun.
Shadowdroppedthecoinandthefoldedbillbackintohispocket."Okay,"hesaid."WhichoneofyouisJackal?"
"Useyoureyes,"saidtheblackdogwiththelongsnout."Thisway."Itbegantoamblealongthesidewalk,besidethemaninthegold-rimmedglasses,and,afteramoment’shesitation,Shadowfollowedthem.Thecatwasnowheretobeseen.Theyreachedalargeoldbuildingonarowofboarded-uphouses.
ThesignbesidethedoorsaidIBISANDJACQUEL.AFAMILYFIRM.FUNERALPARLOR.SINCE1863.
"I’mMisterIbis,"saidthemaninthegold-rimmedglasses.
