Превращение
II
Theyhadbeengoodtimesandtheyhadnevercomeagain,atleastnotwiththesamesplendour,eventhoughGregorhadlaterearnedsomuchthathewasinapositiontobearthecostsofthewholefamily,anddidbearthem.Theyhadevengotusedtoit,bothGregorandthefamily,theytookthemoneywithgratitudeandhewasgladtoprovideit,althoughtherewasnolongermuchwarmaffectiongiveninreturn.Gregoronlyremainedclosetohissisternow.Unlikehim,shewasveryfondofmusicandagiftedandexpressiveviolinist,itwashissecretplantosendhertotheconservatorynextyeareventhoughitwouldcausegreatexpensethatwouldhavetobemadeupforinsomeotherway.DuringGregor’sshortperiodsintown,conversationwithhissisterwouldoftenturntotheconservatorybutitwasonlyevermentionedasalovelydreamthatcouldneverberealised.Theirparentsdidnotliketohearthisinnocenttalk,butGregorthoughtaboutitquitehardanddecidedhewouldletthemknowwhatheplannedwithagrandannouncementofitonChristmasday.
Thatwasthesortoftotallypointlessthingthatwentthroughhismindinhispresentstate,presseduprightagainstthedoorandlistening.Thereweretimeswhenhesimplybecametootiredtocontinuelistening,whenhisheadwouldfallwearilyagainstthedoorandhewouldpullitupagainwithastart,aseventheslightestnoisehecausedwouldbeheardnextdoorandtheywouldallgosilent.
