Page 372 - The Book Thief
P. 372
The Whistler, Rosa informed him. Chapter one. She explained exactly what had
happened in the shelter.
As Liesel stood in a corner of the basement, Max watched her and rubbed a hand
along his jaw. Personally, I think that was the moment he conceived the next
body of work for his sketchbook.
The Word Shaker.
He imagined the girl reading in the shelter. He must have watched her literally
handing out the words. However, as always, he must also have seen the shadow
of Hitler. He could probably already hear his footsteps coming toward Himmel
Street and the basement, for later.
After a lengthy pause, he looked ready to speak, but Liesel beat him to it.
Did you see the sky tonight?
No. Max looked at the wall and pointed. On it, they all watched the words and
the picture hed painted more than a year earlierthe rope and the dripping sun.
Only that one tonight, and from there, no more was spoken. Nothing but
thoughts.
Max, Hans, and Rosa I cannot account for, but I know that Liesel Meminger was
thinking that if the bombs ever landed on Himmel Street, not only did Max have
less chance of survival than everyone else, but he would die completely alone.
