Превращение

           So,whilethewomenwereleantagainstthedeskintheotherroomcatchingtheirbreath,hesalliedout,changeddirectionfourtimesnotknowingwhatheshouldsavefirstbeforehisattentionwassuddenlycaughtbythepictureonthewall—whichwasalreadydenudedofeverythingelsethathadbeenonit—oftheladydressedincopiousfur.Hehurriedupontothepictureandpressedhimselfagainstitsglass,itheldhimfirmlyandfeltgoodonhishotbelly.Thispictureatleast,nowtotallycoveredbyGregor,wouldcertainlybetakenawaybyno-one.Heturnedhisheadtofacethedoorintothelivingroomsothathecouldwatchthewomenwhentheycameback.

           Theyhadnotallowedthemselvesalongrestandcamebackquitesoon;Gretehadputherarmaroundhermotherandwasnearlycarryingher.“Whatshallwetakenow,then?”,saidGreteandlookedaround.HereyesmetthoseofGregoronthewall.Perhapsonlybecausehermotherwasthere,sheremainedcalm,bentherfacetohersothatshewouldnotlookroundandsaid,albeithurriedlyandwithatremorinhervoice:“Comeon,let’sgobackinthelivingroomforawhile?”GregorcouldseewhatGretehadinmind,shewantedtotakehermothersomewheresafeandthenchasehimdownfromthewall.Well,shecouldcertainlytryit!Hesatunyieldingonhispicture.HewouldratherjumpatGrete’sface.