Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, The Page #2

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- Master Bruno, how are you today?

- Fed up.

You said the same thing

every day for two whole weeks.

- It's true.

- Well, you should be out playing.

- Playing with who?

- I don't know. Gretel?

- Well, you can make your own fun.

- That's what I'm trying to do.

One thing's for sure,

sitting around being miserable

won't make things any happier.

- Bruno, what are you doing?

- Exploring!

No! No, not in the back.

I told you, it's out of bounds.

- Explore at the front.

- But I've explored it all.

- Well, find something else to do.

- Like what?

Come back in now,

and we'll think of something.

So, children,

what are you doing today?

- Same as yesterday.

- And what was that?

- Same as the day before.

- Except you went exploring.

- I like exploring.

- Where did you go?

I wanted to look in the back garden,

but Mum wouldn't let me.

The back garden?

Well, God forbid.

I expect you'll be missing

those friends of yours.

I even miss school.

Well, I never thought

I'd hear you say that.

Anyway, you won't be missing it

for long.

- Really?

- I've arranged a tutor for you both.

A Herr Liszt

will be visiting twice a week.

So we're not going to school?

School's coming here?

On an old bicycle, I gather.

It's a bird without the...

Good morning, little man.

And how are you this morning?

- Can I ask you a favour?

- Well, you can ask.

Are there any spare tyres around?

An old one

from one of the trucks or something?

Well, the only spare tyre

I've seen around here

belongs to Lieutenant Meinberg.

- Well, is he using it?

- Yes, he's very attached to it.

Stop it. He doesn't understand.

He's only eight.

You're only 12,

so stop pretending you're any older.

What do you want a tyre for, anyway?

- I want to make a swing.

- A swing?

That does sound exciting.

You!

Here, now.

Move!

Take this boy to the outhouse

in the back garden.

There are some tyres in there.

He will select one.

You will carry it where he asks.

Do you understand?

Well, little man,

what are you waiting for?

How about this one?

Where's my mum?

She's out.

- When is she back?

- Soon, I expect.

But don't worry.

- But I might bleed to death.

- No, you won't.

- Will I need to go to hospital?

- No. It's only a small cut.

Come on. It's not that bad.

There, all better.

- What's your name?

- Pavel.

Now, you've got to sit still

for a few minutes

before you start

walking around on that again.

Will you tell my mum what happened?

I think she's going to see it for herself.

She'll probably take me to a doctor.

I don't think so.

- It could be worse than it looks.

- It isn't.

How would you know?

You're not a doctor.

- Yes, I am.

- No, you're not.

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