Page 264 - The Book Thief

manic, cheerful contortion. He appeared not only to be laughing with a

triumphant smirk, but accepting the bucketing with glee. And Franz Deutscher
wasnt having any of it. His pale eyes cooked him.

Well? he asked. What can you say for yourself?

Tommys twitch only increased, in both speed and depth.

Are you mocking me?

Heil, twitched Tommy, in a desperate attempt to buy some approval, but he did
not make it to the Hitler part.

That was when Rudy stepped forward. He faced Franz Deutscher, looking up at
him. Hes got a problem, sir

I can see that!

With his ears, Rudy finished. He cant

Right, thats it. Deutscher rubbed his hands together. Both of yousix laps of the
grounds. They obeyed, but not fast enough. Schnell! His voice chased them.

When the six laps were completed, they were given some drills of the rundrop
downget upget down again variety, and after fifteen very long minutes, they
were ordered to the ground for what should have been the last time.

Rudy looked down.

A warped circle of mud grinned up at him.

What might you be looking at? it seemed to ask.

Down! Franz ordered.

Rudy naturally jumped over it and dropped to his stomach.

Up! Franz smiled. One step back. They did it. Down!