The Book Thief(71)

Still, nothing.



Only when she walked back to the intersection of the two streets in her damp, dirty socks did she see him. Rudys triumphant face was held nicely up as he trotted steadily toward her. His teeth were gnashed into a grin, and the shoes dangled from his hand. They nearly killed me, he said, but I made it. Once theyd crossed the river, he handed Liesel the shoes, and she threw them down.



Sitting on the ground, she looked up at her best friend. Danke, she said. Thank you.



Rudy bowed. My pleasure. He tried for a little more. No point asking if I get a kiss for that, I guess?



For bringing my shoes, which you left behind?



Fair enough. He held up his hands and continued speaking as they walked on, and Liesel made a concerted effort to ignore him. She only heard the last part. Probably wouldnt want to kiss you anywaynot if your breaths anything like your shoes.



You disgust me, she informed him, and she hoped he couldnt see the escaped beginnings of a smile that had fallen from her mouth.



On Himmel Street, Rudy captured the book. Under a lamppost, he read out the title and wondered what it was about.



Dreamily, Liesel answered. Just a murderer.



Is that all?



Theres also a policeman trying to catch him.



Rudy handed it back. Speaking of which, I think were both slightly in for it when we get home. You especially.



Why me?



You knowyour mama.



What about her? Liesel was exercising the blatant right of every person whos ever belonged to a family. Its all very well for such a person to whine and moan and criticize other family members, but they wont let anyone else do it. Thats when you get your back up and show loyalty. Is there something wrong with her?



Rudy backed away. Sorry, Saumensch. I didnt mean to offend you.



Even in the night, Liesel could see that Rudy was growing. His face was lengthening. The blond shock of hair was darkening ever so slightly and his features seemed to be changing shape. But there was one thing that would never change. It was impossible to be angry at him for long.



Anything good to eat at your place tonight? he asked.



I doubt it.



Me neither. Its a shame you cant eat books. Arthur Berg said something like that once. Remember?



They recounted the good old days for the remainder of the walk, Liesel often glancing down at The Whistler, at the gray cover and the black imprinted title.



Before they went into their respective homes, Rudy stopped a moment and said, Goodbye, Saumensch. He laughed. Good night, book thief.



It was the first time Liesel had been branded with her title, and she couldnt hide the fact that she liked it very much. As were both aware, shed stolen books previously, but in late October 1941, it became official. That night, Liesel Meminger truly became the book thief.





THREE ACTS OF STUPIDITY





BY RUDY STEINER





RUDY STEINER, PURE GENIUS





He stole the biggest potato from Mamers, the local grocer.



Taking on Franz Deutscher on Munich Street.



Skipping the Hitler Youth meetings altogether.



The problem with Rudys first act was greed. It was a typically dreary afternoon in mid-November 1941.



Earlier, hed woven through the women with their coupons quite brilliantly, almost, dare I say it, with a touch of criminal genius. He nearly went completely unnoticed.



Inconspicuous as he was, however, he managed to take hold of the biggest potato of the lotthe very same one that several people in the line had been watching. They all looked on as a thirteen-year-old fist rose up and grabbed it. A choir of heavyset Helgas pointed him out, and Thomas Mamer came storming toward the dirty fruit.



Meine Erdpfel, he said. My earth apples.



The potato was still in Rudys hands (he couldnt hold it in just the one), and the women gathered around him like a troop of wrestlers. Some fast talking was required.



My family, Rudy explained. A convenient stream of clear fluid began to trickle from his nose. He made a point of not wiping it away. Were all starving. My sister needed a new coat. The last one was stolen.



Mamer was no fool. Still holding Rudy by the collar, he said, And you plan to dress her with a potato?



No, sir. He looked diagonally into the one eye he could see of his captor. Mamer was a barrel of a man, with two small bullet holes to look out of. His teeth were like a soccer crowd, crammed in. We traded all our points for the coat three weeks ago and now we have nothing to eat.



The grocer held Rudy in one hand and the potato in the other. He called out the dreaded word to his wife. Polizei.



No, Rudy begged, please. He would tell Liesel later on that he was not the slightest bit afraid, but his heart was certainly bursting at that moment, Im sure. Not the police. Please, not the police.



Polizei. Mamer remained unmoved as the boy wriggled and fought with the air.



Also in the line that afternoon was a teacher, Herr Link. He was in the percentage of teachers at school who were not priests or nuns. Rudy found him and accosted him in the eyes.