The Book Thief(116)

An hour later, when the doctor examined him, he was told it was definitely broken. The sergeant was on hand and stood with half a grin.



Well, Hubermann. Looks like youve got away with it, doesnt it? He was shaking his round face, smoking, and he provided a list of what would happen next. Youll rest up. Theyll ask me what we should do with you. Ill tell them you did a great job. He blew some more smoke. And I think Ill tell them youre not fit for the LSE anymore and you should be sent back to Munich to work in an office or do whatever cleaning up needs doing there. How does that sound?



Unable to resist a laugh within the grimace of pain, Hans replied, It sounds good, Sergeant.



Boris Schipper finished his cigarette. Damn right it sounds good. Youre lucky I like you, Hubermann. Youre lucky youre a good man, and generous with the cigarettes.



In the next room, they were making up the plaster.





THE BITTER TASTE OF QUESTIONS





Just over a week after Liesels birthday in mid-February, she and Rosa finally received a detailed letter from Hans Hubermann. She ran inside from the mailbox and showed it to Mama. Rosa made her read it aloud, and they could not contain their excitement when Liesel read about his broken leg. She was stunned to the extent that she mouthed the next sentence only to herself.



What is it? Rosa pushed. Saumensch?



Liesel looked up from the letter and was close to shouting. The sergeant had been true to his word. Hes coming home, Mama. Papas coming home!



They embraced in the kitchen and the letter was crushed between their bodies. A broken leg was certainly something to celebrate.



When Liesel took the news next door, Barbara Steiner was ecstatic. She rubbed the girls arms and called out to the rest of her family. In their kitchen, the household of Steiners seemed buoyed by the news that Hans Hubermann was returning home. Rudy smiled and laughed, and Liesel could see that he was at least trying. However, she could also sense the bitter taste of questions in his mouth.



Why him?



Why Hans Hubermann and not Alex Steiner?



He had a point.





ONE TOOLBOX, ONE BLEEDER, ONE BEAR





Since his fathers recruitment to the army the previous October, Rudys anger had been growing nicely. The news of Hans Hubermanns return was all he needed to take it a few steps further. He did not tell Liesel about it. There was no complaining that it wasnt fair. His decision was to act.



He carried a metal case up Himmel Street at the typical thieving time of darkening afternoon.





RUDYS TOOLBOX

It was patchy red and the

length of an oversized shoe box.

It contained the following:

Rusty pocketknife 1

Small flashlight 1

Hammer 2

(one medium, one small)

Hand towel 1

Screwdriver 3

(varying in size)

Ski mask 1

Clean socks 1

Teddy bear 1





Liesel saw him from the kitchen windowhis purposeful steps and committed face, exactly like the day hed gone to find his father. He gripped the handle with as much force as he could, and his movements were stiff with rage.



The book thief dropped the towel she was holding and replaced it with a single thought.



Hes going stealing.



She ran out to meet him.



There was not even the semblance of a hello.



Rudy simply continued walking and spoke through the cold air in front of him. Close to Tommy Mllers apartment block, he said, You know something, Liesel, I was thinking. Youre not a thief at all, and he didnt give her a chance to reply. That woman lets you in. She even leaves you cookies, for Christs sake. I dont call that stealing. Stealing is what the army does. Taking your father, and mine. He kicked a stone and it clanged against a gate. He walked faster. All those rich Nazis up there, on Grande Strasse, Gelb Strasse, Heide Strasse.



Liesel could concentrate on nothing but keeping up. Theyd already passed Frau Dillers and were well onto Munich Street. Rudy



How does it feel, anyway?



How does what feel?



When you take one of those books?



At that moment, she chose to keep still. If he wanted an answer, hed have to come back, and he did. Well? But again, it was Rudy who answered, before Liesel could even open her mouth. It feels good, doesnt it? To steal something back.



Liesel forced her attention to the toolbox, trying to slow him down. What have you got in there?



He bent over and opened it up.



Everything appeared to make sense but the teddy bear.



As they kept walking, Rudy explained the toolbox at length, and what he would do with each item. For example, the hammers were for smashing windows and the towel was to wrap them up, to quell the sound.



And the teddy bear?



It belonged to Anna-Marie Steiner and was no bigger than one of Liesels books. The fur was shaggy and worn. The eyes and ears had been sewn back on repeatedly, but it was friendly looking nonetheless.



That, answered Rudy, is the one masterstroke. Thats if a kid walks in while Im inside. Ill give it to them to calm them down.