Page 376 - The Book Thief

Yes, Frau Holtzapfel.

Never mind the yes, Frau Holtzapfels. Just open the book. We dont have all day.

Good God, Liesel thought. This is my punishment for all that stealing. Its finally
caught up with me.

She read for forty-five minutes, and when the chapter was finished, a bag of
coffee was deposited on the table.

Thank you, the woman said. Its a good story. She turned toward the stove and
started on some potatoes. Without looking back, she said, Are you still here, are
you?

Liesel took that as her cue to leave. Danke schn, Frau Holtzapfel. By the door,
when she saw the framed photos of two young men in military uniform, she also

threw in a heil Hitler, her arm raised in the kitchen.

Yes. Frau Holtzapfel was proud and afraid. Two sons in Russia. Heil Hitler. She
put her water down to boil and even found the manners to walk the few steps
with Liesel to the front door. Bis morgen?

The next day was Friday. Yes, Frau Holtzapfel. Until tomorrow.

Liesel calculated that there were four more reading sessions like that with Frau
Holtzapfel before the Jews were marched through Molching.

They were going to Dachau, to concentrate.

That makes two weeks, she would later write in the basement. Two weeks to
change the world, and fourteen days to ruin it.