Page 268 - The Book Thief

When Liesel and Rudy approached the group by the river, she heard him ask

another question. So where are these two deviants youve been bragging about?
Its ten past four already.

Not by my watch, said Rudy.

Viktor Chemmel propped himself up on an elbow. Youre not wearing a watch.

Would I be here if I was rich enough to own a watch?

The new leader sat up fully and smiled, with straight white teeth. He then turned
his casual focus onto the girl. Whos the little whore? Liesel, well accustomed to
verbal abuse, simply watched the fog-ridden texture of his eyes.

Last year, she listed, I stole at least three hundred apples and dozens of potatoes.
I have little trouble with barbed wire fences and I can keep up with anyone here.

Is that right?

Yes. She did not shrink or step away. All I ask is a small part of anything we
take. A dozen apples here or there. A few leftovers for me and my friend.

Well, I suppose that can be arranged. Viktor lit a cigarette and raised it to his
mouth. He made a concerted effort to blow his next mouthful in Liesels face.

Liesel did not cough.

It was the same group as the previous year, the only exception being the leader.
Liesel wondered why none of the other boys had assumed the helm, but looking
from face to face, she realized that none of them had it. They had no qualms

about stealing, but they needed to be told. They liked to be told, and Viktor
Chemmel liked to be the teller. It was a nice microcosm.

For a moment, Liesel longed for the reappearance of Arthur Berg. Or would he,
too, have fallen under the leadership of Chemmel? It didnt matter. Liesel only
knew that Arthur Berg did not have a tyrannical bone in his body, whereas the
new leader had hundreds of them. Last year, she knew that if she was stuck in a
tree, Arthur would come back for her, despite claiming otherwise. This year, by
comparison, she was instantly aware that Viktor Chemmel wouldnt even bother