Page 435 - The Book Thief

Of course not. Do you think I have any money? Snow was still falling. At the

edge of the grass, there was ice like broken glass. Do you have the key? she
asked.

The key to what? But it didnt take Rudy long to understand. He made his way
inside and returned not long after. In the words of Viktor Chemmel, he said, Its
time to go shopping.

The light was disappearing fast, and except for the church, all of Munich Street
had closed up for Christmas. Liesel walked hurriedly to remain in step with the
lankier stride of her neighbor. They arrived at the designated shop window.
STEINERSCHNEIDERMEISTER. The glass wore a thin sheet of mud and grime
that had blown onto it in the passing weeks. On the opposite side, the
mannequins stood like witnesses. They were serious and ludicrously stylish. It
was hard to shake the feeling that they were watching everything.

Rudy reached into his pocket.

It was Christmas Eve.

His father was near Vienna.

He didnt think hed mind if they trespassed in his beloved shop. The
circumstances demanded it.

The door opened fluently and they made their way inside. Rudys first instinct
was to hit the light switch, but the electricity had already been cut off.

Any candles?

Rudy was dismayed. I brought the key. And besides, this was your idea.

In the middle of the exchange, Liesel tripped on a bump in the floor. A
mannequin followed her down. It groped her arm and dismantled in its clothes
on top of her. Get this thing off me! It was in four pieces. The torso and head,
the legs, and two separate arms. When she was rid of it, Liesel stood and
wheezed. Jesus, Mary.

Rudy found one of the arms and tapped her on the shoulder with its hand. When