The reader learns the answer to this question in Chapter Six, called "The Overpaid Maid." In this chapter, Maria talks about how Bruno's father once helped Maria's mother in her hardest moments of life. (Bruno's father even paid out-of-pocket hospital expenses when Maria's mother became seriously ill.) Later, (after Maria is rudely ordered around by Gretel), Maria advises Bruno to "stay quiet" both about his negative feelings about Auschwitz and any kind of insolence in regards to Bruno's father. Although Maria's reasoning is not meant to be clear, the reader should definitely sense great fear in the character of Maria. In fact, when Maria speaks to Bruno about these things, she seems to be in a continual state of "frenzied worry." Hearing all of this information in such fearful tones confuses Bruno. As a result, he runs away close to tears and feels even more bewildered.
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