Page 280 - The Book Thief

When they angled toward it, Rudy asked just how in Gods name they were going
to get inside, but Liesel knew. Local knowledge, she answered. Local But when
they were able to see the window to the library at the far end of the house, she
was greeted with a shock. The window was closed.

Well? Rudy asked.

Liesel swiveled slowly and hurried off. Not today, she said. Rudy laughed.

I knew it. He caught up. I knew it, you filthy Saumensch. You couldnt get in
there even if you had the key.

Do you mind? She quickened even more and brushed aside Rudys commentary.
We just have to wait for the right opportunity. Internally, she shrugged away
from a kind of gladness that the window was closed. She berated herself. Why,
Liesel? she asked. Why did you have to explode when they fired Mama? Why

couldnt you just keep your big mouth shut? For all you know, the mayors wife is
now completely reformed after you yelled and screamed at her. Maybe shes
straightened herself out, picked herself up. Maybe shell never let herself shiver
in that house again and the window will be shut forever. . . . You stupid
Saumensch!

A week later, however, on their fifth visit to the upper part of Molching, it was
there.

The open window breathed a slice of air in.

That was all it would take.

It was Rudy who stopped first. He tapped Liesel in the ribs, with the back of his
hand. Is that window, he whispered, open? The eagerness in his voice leaned
from his mouth, like a forearm onto Liesels shoulder.

Jawohl, she answered. It sure is.

And how her heart began to heat.

On each previous occasion, when they found the window clamped firmly shut,