Превращение

           Gregor’sbodywasindeedcompletelydriedupandflat,theyhadnotseenituntilthen,butnowhewasnotlifteduponhislittlelegs,nordidhedoanythingtomakethemlookaway.

           “Grete,comewithusinhereforalittlewhile”,saidMrs.Samsawithapainedsmile,andGretefollowedherparentsintothebedroombutnotwithoutlookingbackatthebody.Thecleanershutthedoorandopenedthewindowwide.Althoughitwasstillearlyinthemorningthefreshairhadsomethingofwarmthmixedinwithit.ItwasalreadytheendofMarch,afterall.

           Thethreegentlemensteppedoutoftheirroomandlookedroundinamazementfortheirbreakfasts;theyhadbeenforgottenabout.“Whereisourbreakfast?”,themiddlegentlemanaskedthecleanerirritably.ShejustputherfingeronherlipsandmadeaquickandsilentsigntothementhattheymightliketocomeintoGregor’sroom.Theydidso,andstoodaroundGregor’scorpsewiththeirhandsinthepocketsoftheirwell-worncoats.Itwasnowquitelightintheroom.

           ThenthedoorofthebedroomopenedandMr.Samsaappearedinhisuniformwithhiswifeononearmandhisdaughterontheother.Allofthemhadbeencryingalittle;Gretenowandthenpressedherfaceagainstherfather’sarm.

           “Leavemyhome.Now!”,saidMr.Samsa,indicatingthedoorandwithoutlettingthewomenfromhim.“Whatdoyoumean?”,askedthemiddleofthethreegentlemensomewhatdisconcerted,andhesmiledsweetly.