Page 123 - The Book Thief
P. 123
THE WAY HOME
Mein Kampf.
The book penned by the Fhrer himself.
It was the third book of great importance to reach Liesel Meminger; only this
time, she did not steal it. The book showed up at 33 Himmel Street perhaps an
hour after Liesel had drifted back to sleep from her obligatory nightmare.
Some would say it was a miracle that she ever owned that book at all.
Its journey began on the way home, the night of the fire.
They were nearly halfway back to Himmel Street when Liesel could no longer
take it. She bent over and removed the smoking book, allowing it to hop
sheepishly from hand to hand.
When it had cooled sufficiently, they both watched it a moment, waiting for the
words.
Papa: What the hell do you call that?
He reached over and grabbed hold of The Shoulder Shrug. No explanation was
required. It was obvious that the girl had stolen it from the fire. The book was
hot and wet, blue and redembarrassedand Hans Hubermann opened it up. Pages
thirty-eight and thirty-nine. Another one?
Liesel rubbed her ribs.
Yes.
Another one.
Looks like, Papa suggested, I dont need to trade any more cigarettes, do I? Not
when youre stealing these things as fast as I can buy them.
