Американские боги

           "Andyoupaymeonlynomorethanwhatyoupayforhotel,"saidZoryaVechernyaya,withatriumphanttossofherhead."Ahundreddollars."

           "Thirty"saidWednesday.

           "Fifty."

           "Thirty-five."

           "Forty-five."

           "Forty."

           "Isgood.Forty-fivedollar."ZoryaVechernyayareachedacrossthetableandshookWednesday’shand.Thenshebegantocleanthepotsoffthetable.ZoryaUtrennyayayawnedsohugelyShadowworriedthatshemightdislocateherjaw,andannouncedthatshewasgoingtobedbeforeshefellasleepwithherheadinthepie,andshesaidgoodnighttothemall.

           ShadowhelpedZoryaVechernyayatotaketheplatesanddishesintothelittlekitchen.Tohissurprisetherewasanelderlydishwashingmachinebeneaththesink,andhefilledit.ZoryaVechernyayalookedoverhisshoulder,tutted,andremovedthewoodenborschtbowls."Those,inthesink,"shetoldhim.

           "Sorry."

           "Isnottoworry.Now,backinthere,wehavepie,"shesaid.

           Thepie-itwasanapplepie-hadbeenboughtinastoreandoven-warmed,andwasvery,verygood.Thefourofthemateitwithicecream,andthenZoryaVechernyayamadeeveryonegooutofthesittingroom,andmadeupaveryfine-lookingbedonthesofaforShadow.

           WednesdayspoketoShadowastheystoodinthecorridor.

           "Whatyoudidinthere,withthecheckersgame,"hesaid.

           "Yes?"

           "Thatwasgood.Very,verystupidofyou.Butgood.Sleepsafe."