The Book of Gud

DIP INTO THIS NOVEL ANYWHERE.... It deals with a god in whom nobody believed, and of his adventures the day after eternity. For instance, try Chapter XVI.
One Sunday afternoon I was driving through a sparsely settled region on the southwest slope of the Catskills. It was growing late and I was anxious to get back to New York, but I had lost my way. In an attempt to cut across to the Hudson River road I turned up a poorly traveled lane, which, after ten miles of going, petered out into a mere abandoned trail.
I kept on this for perhaps three miles further without passing a house, and then came to a low rambling structure half hidden among a grove of ancient overhanging trees. It was near lamp-lighting time and I was puzzled to know whether the place was deserted or not. I turned my car in toward the house, bumped over loose rocks—and my engine died.
A man appeared on the porch. He was lanky in build, a little stooped, apparently about forty years of age, and was dressed in a blue flannel shirt and a pair of corduroy trousers.
Can you tell me how far it is to New York? I asked.
Yes.
How far is it?
About a hundred miles as the crow flies.
But how far is it by automobile?
I don't know, replied the man, who seemed to be better posted on crow flights than auto travel.
He offered no further remarks, but stood there indifferently eyeing the car.
Curbing my annoyance I inquired: How do I get out to a good automobile road?