Page 324 - The Book Thief

Dont speak about your mother like that, she said, but it had little effect. The girl
merely stood there and attempted to hold off the grin. After all, she could take a
Watschen with the best of them. Now get to your seat.

Yes, Frau Olendrich.

Next to her, Rudy dared to speak.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, he whispered, I can see her hand on your face. A big
red hand. Five fingers!

Good, said Liesel, because Max was alive.

When she made it home that afternoon, he was sitting up in bed with the deflated
soccer ball on his lap. His beard itched him and his swampy eyes fought to stay
open. An empty bowl of soup was next to the gifts.

They did not say hello.

It was more like edges.

The door creaked, the girl came in, and she stood before him, looking at the
bowl. Is Mama forcing it down your throat?

He nodded, content, fatigued. It was very good, though.

Mamas soup? Really?

It was not a smile he gave her. Thank you for the presents. More just a slight tear

of the mouth. Thank you for the cloud. Your papa explained that one a little
further.

After an hour, Liesel also made an attempt on the truth. We didnt know what
wed do if youd died, Max. We

It didnt take him long. You mean, how to get rid of me?

Im sorry.