Page 410 - The Book Thief
P. 410
He left Himmel Street wearing his hangover and a suit.
Alex Steiner was not leaving for another four days. He came over an hour before
they left for the station and wished Hans all the best. The whole Steiner family
had come. They all shook his hand. Barbara embraced him, kissing both cheeks.
Come back alive.
Yes, Barbara, and the way hed said it was full of confidence. Of course I will.
He even managed to laugh. Its just a war, you know. Ive survived one before.
When they walked up Himmel Street, the wiry woman from next door came out
and stood on the pavement.
Goodbye, Frau Holtzapfel. My apologies for last night.
Goodbye, Hans, you drunken Saukerl, but she offered him a note of friendship,
too. Come home soon.
Yes, Frau Holtzapfel. Thank you.
She even played along a little. You know what you can do with your thanks.
At the corner, Frau Diller watched defensively from her shop window and Liesel
took Papas hand. She held it all the way along Munich Street, to the Bahnhof.
The train was already there.
They stood on the platform.
Rosa embraced him first.
No words.
Her head was buried tightly into his chest, then gone.
Then the girl.
Papa?
