Page 201 - The Book Thief

in the eyes. He unleashed his quietest words so far. Verstehst du mich? Do you

understand me?

The girl nodded. She cried, and now, defeated, broken, her papa held her in the
painted air and the kerosene light.

I understand, Papa, I do.

Her voice was muffled against his body, and they stayed like that for a few
minutes, Liesel with squashed breath and Papa rubbing her back.

Upstairs, when they returned, they found Mama sitting in the kitchen, alone and
pensive. When she saw them, she stood and beckoned Liesel to come over,
noticing the dried-up tears that streaked her. She brought the girl into her and
heaped a typically rugged embrace around her body. Alles gut, Saumensch?

She didnt need an answer.

Everything was good.

But it was awful, too.