Page 456 - The Book Thief
P. 456
THE BITTER TASTE OF QUESTIONS
Just over a week after Liesels birthday in mid-February, she and Rosa finally
received a detailed letter from Hans Hubermann. She ran inside from the
mailbox and showed it to Mama. Rosa made her read it aloud, and they could
not contain their excitement when Liesel read about his broken leg. She was
stunned to the extent that she mouthed the next sentence only to herself.
What is it? Rosa pushed. Saumensch?
Liesel looked up from the letter and was close to shouting. The sergeant had
been true to his word. Hes coming home, Mama. Papas coming home!
They embraced in the kitchen and the letter was crushed between their bodies. A
broken leg was certainly something to celebrate.
When Liesel took the news next door, Barbara Steiner was ecstatic. She rubbed
the girls arms and called out to the rest of her family. In their kitchen, the
household of Steiners seemed buoyed by the news that Hans Hubermann was
returning home. Rudy smiled and laughed, and Liesel could see that he was at
least trying. However, she could also sense the bitter taste of questions in his
mouth.
Why him?
Why Hans Hubermann and not Alex Steiner?
He had a point.
