Превращение

           AlthoughGregorwasn’tabletohearanynewsdirectlyhedidlistentomuchofwhatwassaidinthenextrooms,andwheneverheheardanyonespeakinghewouldscurrystraighttotheappropriatedoorandpresshiswholebodyagainstit.Therewasseldomanyconversation,especiallyatfirst,thatwasnotabouthiminsomeway,evenifonlyinsecret.Fortwowholedays,allthetalkateverymealtimewasaboutwhattheyshoulddonow;butevenbetweenmealstheyspokeaboutthesamesubjectastherewerealwaysatleasttwomembersofthefamilyathome—nobodywantedtobeathomebythemselvesanditwasoutofthequestiontoleavetheflatentirelyempty.AndontheveryfirstdaythemaidhadfallentoherkneesandbeggedGregor’smothertolethergowithoutdelay.Itwasnotveryclearhowmuchsheknewofwhathadhappenedbutsheleftwithinaquarterofanhour,tearfullythankingGregor’smotherforherdismissalasifshehaddoneheranenormousservice.Sheevensworeemphaticallynottotellanyonetheslightestaboutwhathadhappened,eventhoughno-onehadaskedthatofher.

           NowGregor’ssisteralsohadtohelphismotherwiththecooking;althoughthatwasnotsomuchbotherasno-oneateverymuch.Gregoroftenheardhowoneofthemwouldunsuccessfullyurgeanothertoeat,andreceivenomoreanswerthan“nothanks,I’vehadenough”orsomethingsimilar.No-onedrankverymucheither.Hissisterwouldsometimesaskhisfatherwhetherhewouldlikeabeer,hopingforthechancetogoandfetchitherself.