Page 129 - The Book Thief

spoon. She waved it at Liesel and said, Get back over there now, and if you dont

come home with the washing, dont come home at all.

Really?

That was Rudys response when Liesel told him what Mama had said. Do you
want to run away together?

Well starve.

Im starving anyway! They laughed.

No, she said, I have to do it.

They walked the town as they usually did when Rudy came along. He always
tried to be a gentleman and carry the bag, but each time, Liesel refused. Only she
had the threat of a Watschen loitering over her head, and therefore only she

could be relied upon to carry the bag correctly. Anyone else was more likely to
manhandle it, twist it, or mistreat it in even the most minimal way, and it was not
worth the risk. Also, it was likely that if she allowed Rudy to carry it for her, he
would expect a kiss for his services, and that was not an option. Besides, she was
accustomed to its burden. She would swap the bag from shoulder to shoulder,
relieving each side every hundred steps or so.

Liesel walked on the left, Rudy the right. Rudy talked most of the time, about the
last soccer match on Himmel Street, working in his fathers shop, and whatever
else came to mind. Liesel tried to listen but failed. What she heard was the dread,
chiming through her ears, growing louder the closer they stepped toward Grande
Strasse.

What are you doing? Isnt this it?

Liesel nodded that Rudy was right, for she had tried to walk past the mayors
house to buy some time.

Well, go on, the boy hurried her. Molching was darkening. The cold was
climbing out of the ground. Move it, Saumensch. He remained at the gate.

After the path, there were eight steps up to the main entrance of the house, and