Американские боги

           TheladyKali,withherink-blackskinandwhite,sharpteeth,said,"Itistime."

           Anansi,withlemon-yellowglovesandsilveringhair,shookhishead."Wecanwait,"hesaid."Whilewecanwait,weshouldwait."

           Therewasamurmurofdisagreementfromthecrowd.

           "No,listen.He’sright,"saidanoldmanwithiron-grayhair:Czernobog.Hewasholdingasmallsledgehammer,restingtheheadofitonhisshoulder."Theyhavethehighground.Theweatherisagainstus.Thisismadness,tobeginthisnow."

           Somethingthatlookedalittlelikeawolfandalittlemorelikeamangruntedandspatontheforestfloor."Whenbettertoattackthem,dedushka?Shallwewaituntiltheweatherclears,whentheyexpectit?Isaywegonow.Isaywemove."

           "Thereareclouds,betweenusandthem,"pointedoutIstenoftheHungarians.Hehadafineblackmoustache,alarge,dustyblackhat,andthegrinofamanwhomakeshislivingsellingaluminumsidingandnewroofsandgutterstoseniorcitizensbutwhoalwaysleavestownthedayafterthechecksclearwhethertheworkisdoneornot.

           Amaninanelegantsuit,whohaduntilnowsaidnothing,puthishandstogether,steppedintothefirelight,andmadehispointsuccinctlyandclearly.Therewerenodsandmuttersofagreement.