Page 334 - The Book Thief

Their heartbeats fought each other, a mess of rhythm. Liesel tried to eat hers

down. The taste of heart was not too cheerful.

Rosa whispered, Jesus, Mary

On this day, it was Papa who rose to the occasion. He rushed to the basement
door and threw a warning down the steps. When he returned, he spoke fast and
fluent. Look, there is no time for tricks. We could distract him a hundred
different ways, but there is only one solution. He eyed the door and summed up.
Nothing.

That was not the answer Rosa wanted. Her eyes widened. Nothing? Are you
crazy?

The knocking resumed.

Papa was strict. Nothing. We dont even go down therenot a care in the world.

Everything slowed.

Rosa accepted it.

Clenched with distress, she shook her head and proceeded to answer the door.

Liesel. Papas voice sliced her up. Just stay calm, verstehst?

Yes, Papa.

She tried to concentrate on her bleeding leg.

Aha!

At the door, Rosa was still asking the meaning of this interruption when the
kindly party man noticed Liesel.

The maniacal soccer player! He grinned. Hows the knee? You dont usually
imagine the Nazis being too chirpy, but this man certainly was. He came in and
made as if to crouch and view the injury.