Liesel startles when he speaks, but she doesn't move. It's not the first time she's been caught but she'd been so sure she was quiet enough this time. He hasn't screamed at her yet but maybe he's already called the police and he's just stalling for time. Liesel guesses there are police in this city, and she knows they'll probably drag her back to the children's home, or worse.

Still, she stands still and turns to look at him, her eyes a little wide but determined. He has kind eyes, she thinks. Like Papa's.

She glances down at the book in her hands at his approval, her fingers stretched over the title. It already sounds wonderful and she hasn't read a single page, and now she might not get to at all. She flexes her socked feet on the floor and looks back over at him without moving an inch.

"Have you read it?" she asks, her voice smaller than she might have liked.