Американские боги

           "

           Theoldman’sblueeyesblinked."Andbelieveme,ittakesalotofwork,"hesaid."Hardwork.Butthisisagoodtown,andalltheworkallthepeoplehereputintoitisworthwhile.Notthatmyfamilyweren’tpooraskids.Askmehowpoorwewasaskids."

           Shadowputonhisstraight-manfaceandsaid,"Howpoorwereyouaskids,MisterHinzelmann?"

           "JustHinzelmann,Mike.Weweresopoorthatwecouldn’taffordafire.ComeNewYear’sEvemyfatherwouldsuckonapeppermint,anduskids,we’dstandaroundwithourhandsoutstretched,baskingintheglow."

           Shadowmadearim-shotnoise.Hinzelmannputonhisski-maskanddiduphishugeplaidcoat,pulledouthiscarkeysfromhispocketandthen,lastofall,pulledonhisgreatgloves."Yougettooboreduphere,youjustcomedowntothestoreandaskforme.I’llshowyoumycollectionofhand-tiedfishingflies.Boreyousomuchthatgettingbackherewillbearelief."Hisvoicewasmuffled,butaudible.

           "I’lldothat,"saidShadowwithasmile."How’sTessie?"

           "Hibernating.She’llbeoutinthespring.Youtakecarenow,MisterAinsel."Andheclosedthedoorbehindhimasheleft.

           Theapartmentgrewevercolder.

           Shadowputonhiscoatandhisgloves.Thenheputonhisboots.