Превращение

           Butsincehehadbeeninworkhehadbecomemoreobstinateandwouldalwaysinsistonstayinglongeratthetable,eventhoughheregularlyfellasleepanditwasthenharderthanevertopersuadehimtoexchangethechairforhisbed.Then,howevermuchmotherandsisterwouldimportunehimwithlittlereproachesandwarningshewouldkeepslowlyshakinghisheadforaquarterofanhourwithhiseyesclosedandrefusingtogetup.Gregor’smotherwouldtugathissleeve,whisperendearmentsintohisear,Gregor’ssisterwouldleaveherworktohelphermother,butnothingwouldhaveanyeffectonhim.Hewouldjustsinkdeeperintohischair.Onlywhenthetwowomentookhimunderthearmshewouldabruptlyopenhiseyes,lookatthemoneaftertheotherandsay:“Whatalife!ThisiswhatpeaceIgetinmyoldage!”Andsupportedbythetwowomenhewouldlifthimselfupcarefullyasifhewerecarryingthegreatestloadhimself,letthewomentakehimtothedoor,sendthemoffandcarryonbyhimselfwhileGregor’smotherwouldthrowdownherneedleandhissisterherpensothattheycouldrunafterhisfatherandcontinuebeingofhelptohim.

           Who,inthistiredandoverworkedfamily,wouldhavehadtimetogivemoreattentiontoGregorthanwasabsolutelynecessary?Thehouseholdbudgetbecameevensmaller;sonowthemaidwasdismissed;anenormous,thick-bonedcharwomanwithwhitehairthatflappedaroundherheadcameeverymorningandeveningtodotheheaviestwork;everythingelsewaslookedafterbyGregor’smotherontopofthelargeamountofsewingworkshedid.