Page 505 - The Book Thief

fine.

Whats happened? Liesel asked. Is this still Himmel Street?

Yes. The man had disappointed eyes. What had he seen these past few years?
This is Himmel. You got bombed, my girl. Es tut mir leid, Schatzi. Im sorry,
darling.

The girls mouth wandered on, even if her body was now still. She had forgotten
her previous wails for Hans Hubermann. That was years agoa bombing will do
that. She said, We have to get my papa, my mama. We have to get Max out of
the basement. If hes not there, hes in the hallway, looking out the window. He
does that sometimes when theres a raidhe doesnt get to look much at the sky,
you see. I have to tell him how the weather looks now. Hell never believe me. . .
.

Her body buckled at that moment and the LSE man caught her and sat her down.

Well move her in a minute, he told his sergeant. The book thief looked at what
was heavy and hurting in her hand.

The book.

The words.

Her fingers were bleeding, just like they had on her arrival here.

The LSE man lifted her and started to lead her away. A wooden spoon was on
fire. A man walked past with a broken accordion case and Liesel could see the
instrument inside. She could see its white teeth and the black notes in between.
They smiled at her and triggered an alertness to her reality. We were bombed,

she thought, and now she turned to the man at her side and said, Thats my papas
accordion. Again. Thats my papas accordion.

Dont worry, young girl, youre safe; just come a little farther.

But Liesel did not come.

She looked to where the man was taking the accordion and followed him. With
the red sky still showering its beautiful ash, she stopped the tall LSE worker and