Page 77 - The Book Thief

A voice practically appeared on the other side of the room. Attached to it was a
lemon-haired boy whose bony knees knocked in his pants under the desk. He
stretched his hand up and said, Sister Maria, I think you forgot Liesel.

Sister Maria.

Was not impressed.

She plonked her folder on the table in front of her and inspected Rudy with
sighing disapproval. It was almost melancholic. Why, she lamented, did she
have to put up with Rudy Steiner? He simply couldnt keep his mouth shut. Why,
God, why?

No, she said, with finality. Her small belly leaned forward with the rest of her.
Im afraid Liesel cannot do it, Rudy. The teacher looked across, for confirmation.
She will read for me later.

The girl cleared her throat and spoke with quiet defiance. I can do it now, Sister.
The majority of other kids watched in silence. A few of them performed the
beautiful childhood art of snickering.

The sister had had enough. No, you cannot! . . . What are you doing?

For Liesel was out of her chair and walking slowly, stiffly toward the front of the
room. She picked up the book and opened it to a random page.

All right, then, said Sister Maria. You want to do it? Do it.

Yes, Sister. After a quick glance at Rudy, Liesel lowered her eyes and examined

the page.

When she looked up again, the room was pulled apart, then squashed back
together. All the kids were mashed, right before her eyes, and in a moment of
brilliance, she imagined herself reading the entire page in faultless, fluency-filled
triumph.

A KEY WORD