"I crouched down behind a big chair in a corner away from the fire. Then I remembered I'd left the gun in the kitchen. My feet were sore and bare. The room was full of orange light and blackened shadows, moving. The wind whooped and the house creaked like steps do. I was alone with all that could happen. I began to wonder if the Pedersens had a dog, if the Pedersen kid had a dog ro cat maybe and where it was if they did and if I'd known its name and whether it'd come if I called. I tried to think of its name as if it was something I'd forgot. I knew I was all muddled up and scared and crazy and I tried to think god damn over and over or what the hell or jesus christ, instead, but it didn't work. All that could happen was alone with me and I was alone with it."

William Gass

"The Pedersen Kid"

In the Heart of the Heart of the Country