Page 276 - The Book Thief

THE WHISTLER AND THE SHOES

The same pattern continued through the end of summer and well into autumn.
Rudy did his best to survive the Hitler Youth. Max did his push-ups and made
his sketches. Liesel found newspapers and wrote her words on the basement
wall.

Its also worthy of mention that every pattern has at least one small bias, and one
day it will tip itself over, or fall from one page to another. In this case, the
dominant factor was Rudy. Or at least, Rudy and a freshly fertilized sports field.

Late in October, all appeared to be usual. A filthy boy was walking down
Himmel Street. Within a few minutes, his family would expect his arrival, and
he would lie that everyone in his Hitler Youth division was given extra drills in
the field. His parents would even expect some laughter. They didnt get it.

Today Rudy was all out of laughter and lies.

On this particular Wednesday, when Liesel looked more closely, she could see
that Rudy Steiner was shirtless. And he was furious.

What happened? she asked as he trudged past.

He reversed back and held out the shirt. Smell it, he said.

What?

Are you deaf? I said smell it.

Reluctantly, Liesel leaned in and caught a ghastly whiff of the brown garment.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Is that?

The boy nodded. Its on my chin, too. My chin! Im lucky I didnt swallow it!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.