Page 136 - The Book Thief

Hermann stood behind her husband, to the side.

I forgot, Liesel said. She lifted the bag and addressed the mayors wife. Despite
the forced labor of breath, she fed the words through the gap in the
doorwaybetween the mayor and the frame to the woman. Such was her effort to
breathe that the words escaped only a few at a time. I forgot . . . I mean, I just . . .
wanted, she said, to . . . thank you.

The mayors wife bruised herself again. Coming forward to stand beside her
husband, she nodded very faintly, waited, and closed the door.

It took Liesel a minute or so to leave.

She smiled at the steps.