Page 154 - Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

heart thudding madly. It was warm in the barrack, yet
she felt cold.
"Here," Gitl whispered, shoving something into her
hands.
Hannah looked down. She could see nothing in the
dark, but she realized she was holding a pair of shoes.
"We'll put them on outside."
They paused at the door, then Gitl eased it open
slowly. It protested mildly.
"It's not locked!" Hannah said, shocked.
"Some guards can be bribed," Gitl whispered. "Give
me your hand." .
Slipping her hand into Gitl's, Hannah held back for
a moment. "What about Fayge? Shmuel wouldn't go
without Fayge."
Gitl's hand on hers tightened. "Fayge says she prefers
the dark wolf she knows to the dark one she does not."
"Even with Shmuel going? But she loves him."
"She has come to love her next bowl of soup more,"
Gitl said. "Now hush."
They slipped through the door, shut it, and locked it
from the outside with a too-loud snick. Hannah shivered
at the sound and took Gitl's hand again, ice on ice.
"We meet behind the midden," Gitl whispered. "No
more talking now."
Hannah looked up. There was no moon. Above them,,
in the cloudless sky, stars were scattered as thick as
sand. A small, warm breeze blew across the compound.
Night insects chirruped. Hannah took a deep breath.
The air was sweet-smelling, fresh, new. A dog barked
suddenly and a harsh voice quieted it with a command.

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