Contents
Chapter 46 - The Visitor
Overview
NSDAP inspectors arrive on Himmel Street to assess basements for air-raid shelters, threatening to expose Max in the Hubermann cellar. Liesel fakes an injury to alert Hans, who decides they must do nothing suspicious. The inspector finds the cellar too shallow and leaves. Max, armed with scissors, apologizes; the family survives the scare.
Summary
Children play soccer on Himmel Street as an NSDAP division advances door to door, marking basements suitable for air-raid shelters. Seeing them approach, Liesel panics about Max hiding in the Hubermann cellar. She deliberately collides with Klaus Behrig to stage an injury and asks Rudy to fetch Hans.
Hans carries Liesel home as the inspector nears. With no time to hide Max, Hans decides they must act as if nothing is unusual. The cheerful party man enters, notices Liesel’s knee, and then requests to inspect the basement.
While the inspector measures below, Hans keeps up casual chatter, tells Liesel to fetch a book, and has Rosa begin cooking to appear unconcerned. After tense minutes, the inspector concludes the cellar is too shallow for a shelter and departs, jokingly bidding farewell to the “maniacal soccer player.”
Afterward, the family removes the concealment in the basement. They find Max under the stairs gripping rusty scissors, ready in desperation. He apologizes for the danger he has caused, but Rosa answers that they are all alive. The immediate threat has passed, leaving the family shaken but safe.
Who Appears
- Liesel MemingerPanics at the NSDAP inspection, fakes an injury to warn Hans, and maintains composure during the basement search.
- Hans HubermannCalmly decides to act normal during the inspection; distracts the inspector and protects Max.
- NSDAP party man (inspector)Cheerful inspector who examines the Hubermann basement and declares it too shallow for a shelter.
- Rosa HubermannAnxious but follows Hans’s plan, cooks to appear normal, and later reassures Max.
- Max VandenburgHides under the stairs with scissors, fearing discovery; apologizes after the inspector leaves.
- Rudy SteinerOffers to help injured Liesel home, unknowingly aiding her plan to warn Hans.
- Tommy MüllerStands guard over Liesel as Rudy fetches Hans, part of the cover for her staged injury.
- Klaus BehrigCollides with Liesel during soccer, enabling her ruse to alert Hans.