Американские боги

           Still,themanwassmallerandslighterthanShadow,andhedidnotappeartobearmed.Andheworeabrightplaidcoat,ofthekindthatserialkillersnormallyavoid.

           "Ihhihelhan,"saidthevisitor.

           "Huh?"

           Themanpulledthemaskdownward,revealingHinzelmann’scheerfulface."Isaid,it’sHinzelmann.Youknow,Idon’tknowwhatwedidbeforetheycameupwiththesemasks.Well,Idorememberwhatwedid.Thickknittedcapsthatwentallaroundyourface,andscarvesandyoudon’twanttoknowwhatelse.Ithinkit’samiraclewhattheycomeupwiththesedays.Imaybeanoldman,butI’mnotgoingtogrumbleaboutprogress,notme."

           HefinishedthisspeechbythrustingabasketatShadow,filledhighwithlocalcheeses,bottles,jars,andseveralsmallsalamisthatproclaimedthemselvestobevenisonsummersausage,andbycominginside."MerryDayafterChristmas,"hesaid.Hisnoseandearsandcheekswereredasraspberries,maskornomask."IhearyoualreadyateawholeoneofMabel’spasties.Broughtyouafewthings."

           "That’sverykindofyou,"saidShadow.

           "Kind,nothing.I’mgoingtostickittoyounextweekfortheraffle.Thechamberofcommercerunsit,andIrunthechamberofcommerce.Lastyearweraisedalmostseventeenthousanddollarsforthechildren’swardofLakesideHospital.