Page 317 - The Book Thief

On this occasion, Rudy was considerably more enthusiastic about being the
enterer. Today its my turn, he said as their fingers froze to the bike handles.

Liesel thought fast. Maybe you shouldnt, Rudy. Theres stuff all over the place in
there. And its dark. An idiot like you is bound to trip over or run into something.

Thanks very much. In this mood, Rudy was hard to contain.

Theres the drop, too. Its deeper than you think.

Are you saying you dont think I can do it?

Liesel stood up on the pedals. Not at all.

They crossed the bridge and serpentined up the hill to Grande Strasse. The
window was open.

Like last time, they surveyed the house. Vaguely, they could see inside, to where
a light was on downstairs, in what was probably the kitchen. A shadow moved
back and forth.

Well just ride around the block a few times, Rudy said. Lucky we brought the
bikes, huh?

Just make sure you remember to take yours home.

Very funny, Saumensch. Its a bit bigger than your filthy shoes.

They rode for perhaps fifteen minutes, and still, the mayors wife was downstairs,

a little too close for comfort. How dare she occupy the kitchen with such
vigilance! For Rudy, the kitchen was undoubtedly the actual goal. Hed have
gone in, robbed as much food as was physically possible, then if (and only if) he
had a last moment to spare, he would stuff a book down his pants on the way
out. Any book would do.

Rudys weakness, however, was impatience. Its getting late, he said, and began to
ride off. You coming?