Page 461 - The Book Thief

Holtzapfel! There was nothing but sirens and Rosa. Holtzapfel, get out here, you

miserable old swine! Tact had never been Rosa Hubermanns strong point. If you
dont come out, were all going to die here on the street! She turned and viewed
the helpless figures on the footpath. A siren had just finished wailing. What
now?

Michael shrugged, disoriented, perplexed. Liesel dropped her bag of books and
faced him. She shouted at the commencement of the next siren. Can I go in? But
she didnt wait for the answer. She ran the short distance of the path and shoved
past Mama.

Frau Holtzapfel was unmoved at the table.

What do I say? Liesel thought.

How do I get her to move?

When the sirens took another breath, she heard Rosa calling out. Just leave her,
Liesel, we have to go! If she wants to die, thats her business, but then the sirens
resumed. They reached down and tossed the voice away.

Now it was only noise and girl and wiry woman.

Frau Holtzapfel, please!

Much like her conversation with Ilsa Hermann on the day of the cookies, a
multitude of words and sentences were at her fingertips. The difference was that
today there were bombs. Today it was slightly more urgent.

THE OPTIONS

Frau Holtzapfel, we have to go.

Frau Holtzapfel, well die if we stay here.

You still have one son left.