Page 373 - The Book Thief
P. 373
FRAU HOLTZAPFELS OFFER
In the morning, the damage was inspected. No one died, but two apartment
blocks were reduced to pyramids of rubble, and Rudys favorite Hitler Youth
field had an enormous bowl spooned out of it. Half the town stood around its
circumference. People estimated its depth, to compare it with their shelters.
Several boys and girls spat into it.
Rudy was standing next to Liesel. Looks like they need to fertilize again.
When the next few weeks were raid-free, life almost returned to normal. Two
telling moments, however, were on their way.
THE DUAL EVENTS
OF OCTOBER
The hands of Frau Holtzapfel.
The parade of Jews.
Her wrinkles were like slander. Her voice was akin to a beating with a stick.
It was actually quite fortunate that they saw Frau Holtzapfel coming from the
living room window, for her knuckles on the door were hard and decisive. They
meant business.
Liesel heard the words she dreaded.
You go and answer it, Mama said, and the girl, knowing only too well what was
good for her, did as she was told.
Is your mama home? Frau Holtzapfel inquired. Constructed of fifty-year-old
wire, she stood on the front step, looking back every so often to view the street.
Is that swine of a mother of yours here today?
