Американские боги

           Heturnedhisbackontheboy,thenglancedaroundtoseethathewasbeingwatchedoncemore.

           InhispocketwastheLibertydollar.Hetookitoutofhispocket,helditupinhisrighthand,makingsuretheboycouldseeit.Hefinger-palmeditintohislefthand,displayedbothhandsempty,raisedhislefthandtohismouthandcoughedonce,lettingthecointumblefromhislefthandintohisright.

           Theboylookedathimwide-eyedandscamperedaway,returningafewmomentslater,dragginganunsmilingMargueriteOlsen,wholookedatShadowsuspiciouslyandsaid,"Hello,MisterAinsel.Leonsaysyouweredoingmagicforhim."

           "Justalittleprestidigitation,ma’am."

           "Pleasedon’t,"shesaid.

           "I’msorry.Iwasjusttryingtoentertainhim."

           Sheshookherhead,tautly.Dropit.Shadowdroppedit.Hesaid,"Ineverdidsaythankyouforyouradviceaboutheatingtheapartment.It’swarmastoastinthererightnow."

           "That’sgood."Hericyexpressionhadnotbeguntothaw.

           "It’salovelylibrary,"saidShadow.

           "It’sabeautifulbuilding.Butthecityneedssomethingmoreefficientandlessbeautiful.Yougoingtothelibrarysaledownstairs?"

           "Iwasn’tplanningonit."

           "Well,youshould.It’sforagoodcause.