Page 349 - The Book Thief
P. 349
But can you really win all four events?
They slowed to a stop at the end of the track, and Rudy placed his hands on his
hips. I have to.
For six weeks, he trained, and when the day of the carnival arrived in mid-
August, the sky was hot-sunned and cloudless. The grass was overrun with
Hitler Youths, parents, and a glut of brown-shirted leaders. Rudy Steiner was in
peak condition.
Look, he pointed out. Theres Deutscher.
Through the clusters of crowd, the blond epitome of Hitler Youth standards was
giving instructions to two members of his division. They were nodding and
occasionally stretching. One of them shielded his eyes from the sun like a salute.
You want to say hello? Liesel asked.
No thanks. Ill do that later.
When Ive won.
The words were not spoken, but they were definitely there, somewhere between
Rudys blue eyes and Deutschers advisory hands.
There was the obligatory march around the grounds.
The anthem.
Heil Hitler.
Only then could they begin.
When Rudys age group was called for the 1500, Liesel wished him luck in a
typically German manner.
Hals und Beinbruch, Saukerl.
