Американские боги

           "

           "Goodkids,"saidHinzelmann,shakinghisoldhead,slowly."Theywereallgoodkids.I’donlypickonesIliked.ExceptforCharlieNelligan.Hewasabadseed,thatone.Hewas,what,1924?1925?Yeah.Thatwasthedeal."

           "Thepeopleofthetown,"saidShadow."Mabel.Marguerite.ChadMulligan.Dotheyknow?"

           Hinzelmannsaidnothing.Hepulledthepokerfromthefire:thefirstsixinchesatthetipglowedadullorange.Shadowknewthatthehandleofthepokermustbetoohottohold,butitdidnotseemtobotherHinzelmann,andheproddedthefireagain.Heputthepokerbackintothefire,tipfirst,andleftitthere.Thenhesaid,"Theyknowthattheyliveinagoodplace.Whileeveryothertownandcityinthiscounty,heck,inthispartofthestate,iscrumblingintonothing.Theyknowthat."

           "Andthat’syourdoing?"

           "Thistown,"saidHinzelmann."Icareforit.NothinghappensherethatIdon’twanttohappen.Youunderstandthat?NobodycomesherethatIdon’twanttocomehere.Thatwaswhyyourfathersentyouhere.Hedidn’twantyououtthereintheworld,attractingattention.That’sall."

           "Andyoubetrayedhim."

           "Ididnosuchthing.Hewasacrook.ButIalwayspaymydebts."

           "Idon’tbelieveyou,"saidShadow.

           Hinzelmannlookedoffended.Onehandtuggedattheclumpofwhitehairathistemple."Ikeepmyword.