Page 117 - The Book Thief

BOOK OF FIRE

The dark came in pieces, and with the cigarette brought to an end, Liesel and
Hans Hubermann began to walk home. To get out of the square, they would
walk past the bonfire site and through a small side road onto Munich Street.
They didnt make it that far.

A middle-aged carpenter named Wolfgang Edel called out. Hed built the
platforms for the Nazi big shots to stand on during the fire and he was in the
process now of pulling them down. Hans Hubermann? He had long sideburns
that pointed to his mouth and a dark voice. Hansi!

Hey, Wolfal, Hans replied. There was an introduction to the girl and a heil
Hitler. Good, Liesel.

For the first few minutes, Liesel stayed within a five-meter radius of the
conversation. Fragments came past her, but she didnt pay too much attention.

Getting much work?

No, its all tighter now. You know how it is, especially when youre not a
member.

You told me you were joining, Hansi.

I tried, but I made a mistakeI think theyre still considering.

Liesel wandered toward the mountain of ash. It sat like a magnet, like a freak.
Irresistible to the eyes, similar to the road of yellow stars.

As with her previous urge to see the mounds ignition, she could not look away.
All alone, she didnt have the discipline to keep a safe distance. It sucked her
toward it and she began to make her way around.

Above her, the sky was completing its routine of darkening, but far away, over
the mountains shoulder, there was a dull trace of light.