Превращение
II
Duringthefiveyearsthathehadnotbeenworking—thefirstholidayinalifethathadbeenfullofstrainandnosuccess—hehadputonalotofweightandbecomeveryslowandclumsy.WouldGregor’selderlymothernowhavetogoandearnmoney?Shesufferedfromasthmaanditwasastrainforherjusttomoveaboutthehome,everyotherdaywouldbespentstrugglingforbreathonthesofabytheopenwindow.Wouldhissisterhavetogoandearnmoney?Shewasstillachildofseventeen,herlifeuptillthenhadbeenveryenviable,consistingofwearingniceclothes,sleepinglate,helpingoutinthebusiness,joininginwithafewmodestpleasuresandmostofallplayingtheviolin.Whenevertheybegantotalkoftheneedtoearnmoney,Gregorwouldalwaysfirstletgoofthedoorandthenthrowhimselfontothecool,leathersofanexttoit,ashebecamequitehotwithshameandregret.
Hewouldoftenlietherethewholenightthrough,notsleepingawinkbutscratchingattheleatherforhoursonend.Orhemightgotoalltheeffortofpushingachairtothewindow,climbingupontothesilland,proppedupinthechair,leaningonthewindowtostareoutofit.
