Page 142 - The Book Thief

and he was presented in a positive light. Unforgivable. He was a rich man who

was tired of letting life pass him bywhat he referred to as the shrugging of the
shoulders to the problems and pleasures of a persons time on earth.

In the early part of summer in Molching, as Liesel and Papa made their way
through the book, this man was traveling to Amsterdam on business, and the
snow was shivering outside. The girl loved that the shivering snow. Thats
exactly what it does when it comes down, she told Hans Hubermann. They sat
together on the bed, Papa half asleep and the girl wide awake.

Sometimes she watched Papa as he slept, knowing both more and less about him
than either of them realized. She often heard him and Mama discussing his lack
of work or talking despondently about Hans going to see their son, only to
discover that the young man had left his lodging and was most likely already on
his way to war.

Schlaf gut, Papa, the girl said at those times. Sleep well, and she slipped around

him, out of bed, to turn off the light.

The next attribute, as Ive mentioned, was the mayors library.

To exemplify that particular situation, we can look to a cool day in late June.
Rudy, to put it mildly, was incensed.

Who did Liesel Meminger think she was, telling him she had to take the washing
and ironing alone today? Wasnt he good enough to walk the streets with her?

Stop complaining, Saukerl, she reprimanded him. I just feel bad. Youre missing
the game.

He looked over his shoulder. Well, if you put it like that. There was a
Schmunzel. You can stick your washing. He ran off and wasted no time joining a
team. When Liesel made it to the top of Himmel Street, she looked back just in
time to see him standing in front of the nearest makeshift goals. He was waving.

Saukerl, she laughed, and as she held up her hand, she knew completely that he
was simultaneously calling her a Saumensch. I think thats as close to love as
eleven-year-olds can get.