Американские боги

           Hegotoutofbed,pleasedhedidnothavetogetdressed.Hescrapedatawindowwithafingernailashepassed,felttheicecollectunderthenail,thenmelttowater.

           Hetriedtorememberhisdream,butrememberednothingbutmiseryanddarkness.

           Heputonhisshoes.Hefiguredhewouldwalkintothetowncenter,walkacrossthebridgeacrossthenorthernendofthelake,ifhehadthegeographyofthetownright.Heputonhisthinjacket,rememberinghispromisetohimselfthathewouldbuyawarmwintercoat,openedtheapartmentdoorandsteppedoutontothewoodendeck.Thecoldtookhisbreathaway:hebreathedin,andfelteveryhairinhisnostrilsfreezeintorigidity.Thedeckgavehimafineviewofthelake,irregularpatchesofgraysurroundedbyanexpanseofwhite.

           Hewonderedhowcolditwas.Thecoldsnaphadcome,thatwasforsure.Itcouldnotbemuchabovezero,anditwouldnotbeapleasantwalk,buthewascertainhecouldmakeitintotownwithouttoomuchtrouble.WhatdidHinzelmannsaylastnight—aten-minutewalk?AndShadowwasabigman.Hewouldwalkbrisklyandkeephimselfwarm.

           Hesetoffsouth,headingforthebridge.

           Soonhebegantocough,adry,thincough,asthebitterlycoldairtouchedhislungs.Soonhisearsandfaceandlipshurt,andthenhisfeethurt.Hethrusthisunglovedhandsdeepintohiscoatpockets,clenchedhisfingerstogethertryingtofindsomewarmth.