Page 436 - The Book Thief

she turned in fright, he extended it in friendship. Nice to meet you.

For a few minutes, they moved slowly through the tight pathways of the shop.
Rudy started toward the counter. When he fell over an empty box, he yelped and
swore, then found his way back to the entrance. This is ridiculous, he said. Wait
here a minute. Liesel sat, mannequin arm in hand, till he returned with a lit
lantern from the church.

A ring of light circled his face.

So wheres this present youve been bragging about? It better not be one of these
weird mannequins.

Bring the light over.

When he made it to the far left section of the shop, Liesel took the lantern with
one hand and swept through the hanging suits with the other. She pulled one out

but quickly replaced it with another. No, still too big. After two more attempts,
she held a navy blue suit in front of Rudy Steiner. Does this look about your
size?

While Liesel sat in the dark, Rudy tried on the suit behind one of the curtains.
There was a small circle of light and the shadow dressing itself.

When he returned, he held out the lantern for Liesel to see. Free of the curtain,
the light was like a pillar, shining onto the refined suit. It also lit up the dirty
shirt beneath and Rudys battered shoes.

Well? he asked.

Liesel continued the examination. She moved around him and shrugged. Not
bad.

Not bad! I look better than just not bad.

The shoes let you down. And your face.

Rudy placed the lantern on the counter and came toward her in mock-anger, and
Liesel had to admit that a nervousness started gripping her. It was with both