Page 204 - The Book Thief

THE SWAPPING OF NIGHTMARES

Max Vandenburg promised that he would never sleep in Liesels room again.
What was he thinking that first night? The very idea of it mortified him.

He rationalized that he was so bewildered upon his arrival that he allowed such a
thing. The basement was the only place for him as far as he was concerned.
Forget the cold and the loneliness. He was a Jew, and if there was one place he
was destined to exist, it was a basement or any other such hidden venue of
survival.

Im sorry, he confessed to Hans and Rosa on the basement steps. From now on I
will stay down here. You will not hear from me. I will not make a sound.

Hans and Rosa, both steeped in the despair of the predicament, made no
argument, not even in regard to the cold. They heaved blankets down and topped
up the kerosene lamp. Rosa admitted that there could not be much food, to which
Max fervently asked her to bring only scraps, and only when they were not
wanted by anyone else.

Na, na, Rosa assured him. You will be fed, as best I can.

They also took the mattress down, from the spare bed in Liesels room, replacing

it with drop sheetsan excellent trade.

Downstairs, Hans and Max placed the mattress beneath the steps and built a wall
of drop sheets at the side. The sheets were high enough to cover the whole
triangular entrance, and if nothing else, they were easily moved if Max was in
dire need of extra air.

Papa apologized. Its quite pathetic. I realize that.

Better than nothing, Max assured him. Better than I deserve thank you.

With some well-positioned paint cans, Hans actually conceded that it did simply
look like a collection of junk gathered sloppily in the corner, out of the way. The