Американские боги

           "

           Thecarsmelledofleatherandoldcigarettesmoke—notafreshsmell,butasifenoughpeoplehadsmokedenoughcigarettesandcigarsinthecarovertheyearsthatthesmellofburningtobaccohadbecomepartofthefabricofthecar.TheoldmanturnedthekeyintheignitionandTessiestartedfirsttime.

           "Tomorrow,"hetoldShadow,"shegoesintothegarage.I’llcoverherwithadustsheet,andthat’swhereshe’llstayuntilspring.Truthofthematteris,Ishouldn’tbedrivingherrightnow,withthesnowontheground."

           "Doesn’tsheridewellinsnow?"

           "Ridesjustfine.It’sthesalttheyputontheroadstomeltthesnow.Ruststheseoldbeautiesfasterthanyoucouldbelieve.Youwanttogodoortodoor,orwouldyoulikethemoonlightgrandtourofthetown?"

           "Idon’twanttotroubleyou—"

           "It’snotrouble.Yougettobemyage,you’regratefulfortheleastwinkofsleep.I’mluckyifIgetfivehoursanightnowadays—wakeupandmymindisjustturningandturning.Wherearemymanners?Myname’sHinzelmann.I’dsay,callmeRichie,butroundherefolkswhoknowmejustcallmeplainHinzelmann.I’dshakeyourhand,butIneedtwohandstodriveTessie.SheknowswhenI’mnotpayingattention."

           "MikeAinsel,"saidShadow."Pleasedtomeetyou,Hinzelmann."

           "Sowe’llgoroundthelake.Grandtour,"saidHinzelmann.