The Book Thief(38)

Come on, Rudy coaxed her in. Just here. It isnt so deep here. She couldnt see the giant hole she was walking into and sank straight to the bottom. Dog-paddling saved her life, despite nearly choking on the swollen intake of water.



You Saukerl, she accused him when she collapsed onto the riverbank.



Rudy made certain to keep well away. Hed seen what she did to Ludwig Schmeikl. You can swim now, cant you?



Which didnt particularly cheer her up as she marched away. Her hair was pasted to the side of her face and snot was flowing from her nose.



He called after her. Does this mean I dont get a kiss for teaching you?



Saukerl!



The nerve of him!



It was inevitable.



The depressing pea soup and Rudys hunger finally drove them to thievery. It inspired their attachment to an older group of kids who stole from the farmers. Fruit stealers. After a game of soccer, both Liesel and Rudy learned the benefits of keeping their eyes open. Sitting on Rudys front step, they noticed Fritz Hammerone of their older counterpartseating an apple. It was of the Klar variety ripening in July and Augustand it looked magnificent in his hand. Three or four more of them clearly bulged in his jacket pockets. They wandered closer.



Where did you get those? Rudy asked.



The boy only grinned at first. Shhh, and he stopped. He then proceeded to pull an apple from his pocket and toss it over. Just look at it, he warned them. Dont eat it.



The next time they saw the same boy wearing the same jacket, on a day that was too warm for it, they followed him. He led them toward the upstream section of the Amper River. It was close to where Liesel sometimes read with her papa when she was first learning.



A group of five boys, some lanky, a few short and lean, stood waiting.



There were a few such groups in Molching at the time, some with members as young as six. The leader of this particular outfit was an agreeable fifteen-year-old criminal named Arthur Berg. He looked around and saw the two eleven-year-olds dangling off the back. Und? he asked. And?



Im starving, Rudy replied.



And hes fast, said Liesel.



Berg looked at her. I dont recall asking for your opinion. He was teenage tall and had a long neck. Pimples were gathered in peer groups on his face. But I like you. He was friendly, in a smart-mouth adolescent way. Isnt this the one who beat up your brother, Anderl? Word had certainly made its way around. A good hiding transcends the divides of age.



Another boyone of the short, lean oneswith shaggy blond hair and ice-colored skin, looked over. I think so.



Rudy confirmed it. It is.



Andy Schmeikl walked across and studied her, up and down, his face pensive before breaking into a gaping smile. Great work, kid. He even slapped her among the bones of her back, catching a sharp piece of shoulder blade. Id get whipped for it if I did it myself.



Arthur had moved on to Rudy. And youre the Jesse Owens one, arent you?



Rudy nodded.



Clearly, said Arthur, youre an idiotbut youre our kind of idiot. Come on.



They were in.



When they reached the farm, Liesel and Rudy were thrown a sack. Arthur Berg gripped his own burlap bag. He ran a hand through his mild strands of hair. Either of you ever stolen before?



Of course, Rudy certified. All the time. He was not very convincing.



Liesel was more specific. Ive stolen two books, at which Arthur laughed, in three short snorts. His pimples shifted position.



You cant eat books, sweetheart.



From there, they all examined the apple trees, who stood in long, twisted rows. Arthur Berg gave the orders. One, he said. Dont get caught on the fence. You get caught on the fence, you get left behind. Understood? Everyone nodded or said yes. Two. One in the tree, one below. Someone has to collect. He rubbed his hands together. He was enjoying this. Three. If you see someone coming, you call out loud enough to wake the deadand we all run. Richtig?



Richtig. It was a chorus.





TWO DEBUTANTAPPLE THIEVES,

WHISPERING

Lieselare you sure? Do you still want to do this?

Look at the barbed wire, Rudy. Its so high.

No, no, look, you throw the sack on. See? Like them.

All right.

Come on then!

I cant! Hesitation. Rudy, I

Move it, Saumensch !





He pushed her toward the fence, threw the empty sack on the wire, and they climbed over, running toward the others. Rudy made his way up the closest tree and started flinging down the apples. Liesel stood below, putting them into the sack. By the time it was full, there was another problem.



How do we get back over the fence?



The answer came when they noticed Arthur Berg climbing as close to a fence post as possible. The wires stronger there. Rudy pointed. He threw the sack over, made Liesel go first, then landed beside her on the other side, among the fruit that spilled from the bag.



Next to them, the long legs of Arthur Berg stood watching in amusement.



Not bad, landed the voice from above. Not bad at all.