Page 455 - The Book Thief

come.

You know what that means, dont you? said Boris Schipper. They did.

When they resumed the trip back to camp, each man tried not to look down at
Reinhold Zuckers openmouthed sneer. I told you we should have turned him
facedown, someone mentioned. A few times, some of them simply forgot and
rested their feet on the body. Once they arrived, they all tried to avoid the task of
pulling him out. When the job was done, Hans Hubermann took a few
abbreviated steps before the pain fractured in his leg and brought him down.

An hour later, when the doctor examined him, he was told it was definitely
broken. The sergeant was on hand and stood with half a grin.

Well, Hubermann. Looks like youve got away with it, doesnt it? He was shaking
his round face, smoking, and he provided a list of what would happen next.
Youll rest up. Theyll ask me what we should do with you. Ill tell them you did a

great job. He blew some more smoke. And I think Ill tell them youre not fit for
the LSE anymore and you should be sent back to Munich to work in an office or
do whatever cleaning up needs doing there. How does that sound?

Unable to resist a laugh within the grimace of pain, Hans replied, It sounds good,
Sergeant.

Boris Schipper finished his cigarette. Damn right it sounds good. Youre lucky I
like you, Hubermann. Youre lucky youre a good man, and generous with the
cigarettes.

In the next room, they were making up the plaster.