Page 65 - The Book Thief

There was a reason for that.

In the night, Liesel dreamed like she always did. At first, she saw the
brownshirts marching, but soon enough, they led her to a train, and the usual
discovery awaited. Her brother was staring again.

When she woke up screaming, Liesel knew immediately that on this occasion,
something had changed. A smell leaked out from under the sheets, warm and
sickly. At first, she tried convincing herself that nothing had happened, but as
Papa came closer and held her, she cried and admitted the fact in his ear.

Papa, she whispered, Papa, and that was all. He could probably smell it.

He lifted her gently from the bed and carried her into the washroom. The
moment came a few minutes later.

We take the sheets off, Papa said, and when he reached under and pulled at the
fabric, something loosened and landed with a thud. A black book with silver

writing on it came hurtling out and landed on the floor, between the tall mans
feet.

He looked down at it.

He looked at the girl, who timidly shrugged.

Then he read the title, with concentration, aloud: The Grave Diggers Handbook.

So thats what its called, Liesel thought.

A patch of silence stood among them now. The man, the girl, the book. He
picked it up and spoke soft as cotton.

A 2 A.M. CONVERSATION

Is this yours?
Yes, Papa.