Американские боги

           "IfeltbadenoughforthatoldbuckthatItalkedtheLakesideLadiesKnittingCircleintomakinghimsomethingwarmtowearallthewinter,andtheyknittedhimanall-overone-piecewoolensuit,sohewouldn’tfreezetodeath.Coursethejokewasonus,becausetheyknittedhimasuitofbrightorangewoolsonohunterevershotatit.Huntersinthesepartswearorangeathuntingseason,"headded,helpfully."Andifyouthinkthere’sawordofalieinthat,Icanproveittoyou.I’vegottheantlersuponmyrecroomwalltothisday."Shadowlaughed,andtheoldmansmiledthesatisfiedsmileofamastercraftsman.Theypulledupoutsideabrickbuildingwithalargewoodendeck,fromwhichgoldenholidaylightshungandtwinkledinvitingly.

           "That’sFive-oh-two,"saidHinzelmann."Apartmentthreewouldbeonthetopfloor,roundtheotherside,overlookingthelake.Thereyougo,Mike."

           "Thankyou,Mr.Hinzelmann.CanIgiveyouanythingtowardgas?"

           "JustHinzelmann.Andyoudon’towemeapenny.MerryChristmasfrommeandfromTessie."

           "Areyousureyouwon’tacceptanything?"

           Theoldmanscratchedhischin."Tellyouwhat,"hesaid."SometimeinthenextweekorsoI’llcomebyandsellyousometickets.Forourraffle.Charity.Fornow,youngman,youcanbegettingontobed."

           Shadowsmiled."MerryChristmas,Hinzelmann,"hesaid.