Page 149 - The Book Thief

an apple from his pocket and toss it over. Just look at it, he warned them. Dont

eat it.

The next time they saw the same boy wearing the same jacket, on a day that was
too warm for it, they followed him. He led them toward the upstream section of
the Amper River. It was close to where Liesel sometimes read with her papa
when she was first learning.

A group of five boys, some lanky, a few short and lean, stood waiting.

There were a few such groups in Molching at the time, some with members as
young as six. The leader of this particular outfit was an agreeable fifteen-year-
old criminal named Arthur Berg. He looked around and saw the two eleven-
year-olds dangling off the back. Und? he asked. And?

Im starving, Rudy replied.

And hes fast, said Liesel.

Berg looked at her. I dont recall asking for your opinion. He was teenage tall and
had a long neck. Pimples were gathered in peer groups on his face. But I like
you. He was friendly, in a smart-mouth adolescent way. Isnt this the one who
beat up your brother, Anderl? Word had certainly made its way around. A good
hiding transcends the divides of age.

Another boyone of the short, lean oneswith shaggy blond hair and ice-colored
skin, looked over. I think so.

Rudy confirmed it. It is.

Andy Schmeikl walked across and studied her, up and down, his face pensive
before breaking into a gaping smile. Great work, kid. He even slapped her
among the bones of her back, catching a sharp piece of shoulder blade. Id get
whipped for it if I did it myself.

Arthur had moved on to Rudy. And youre the Jesse Owens one, arent you?

Rudy nodded.