Page 514 - The Book Thief

On the day of the funerals, she still hadnt bathed, and Ilsa Hermann asked

politely if shed like to. Previously, shed only shown her the bath and given her a
towel.

People who were at the service of Hans and Rosa Hubermann always talked
about the girl who stood there wearing a pretty dress and a layer of Himmel
Street dirt. There was also a rumor that later in the day, she walked fully clothed
into the Amper River and said something very strange.

Something about a kiss.

Something about a Saumensch.

How many times did she have to say goodbye?

After that, there were weeks and months, and a lot of war. She remembered her
books in the moments of worst sorrow, especially the ones that were made for

her and the one that saved her life. One morning, in a renewed state of shock,
she even walked back down to Himmel Street to find them, but nothing was left.
There was no recovery from what had happened. That would take decades; it
would take a long life.

There were two ceremonies for the Steiner family. The first was immediately
upon their burial. The second was as soon as Alex Steiner made it home, when
he was given leave after the bombing.

Since the news had found him, Alex had been whittled away.

Crucified Christ, hed said, if only Id let Rudy go to that school.

You save someone.

You kill them.

How was he supposed to know?

The only thing he truly did know was that hed have done anything to have been
on Himmel Street that night so that Rudy survived rather than himself.