Превращение

           Soonafterdinner,hisfatherwouldgotosleepinhischair;hismotherandsisterwouldurgeeachothertobequiet;hismother,bentdeeplyunderthelamp,wouldsewfancyunderwearforafashionshop;hissister,whohadtakenasalesjob,learnedshorthandandFrenchintheeveningssothatshemightbeabletogetabetterpositionlateron.SometimeshisfatherwouldwakeupandsaytoGregor’smother“you’redoingsomuchsewingagaintoday!”,asifhedidnotknowthathehadbeendozing—andthenhewouldgobacktosleepagainwhilemotherandsisterwouldexchangeatiredgrin.

           Withakindofstubbornness,Gregor’sfatherrefusedtotakehisuniformoffevenathome;whilehisnightgownhungunusedonitspegGregor’sfatherwouldslumberwherehewas,fullydressed,asifalwaysreadytoserveandexpectingtohearthevoiceofhissuperiorevenhere.Theuniformhadnotbeennewtostartwith,butasaresultofthisitslowlybecameevenshabbierdespitetheeffortsofGregor’smotherandsistertolookafterit.Gregorwouldoftenspendthewholeeveninglookingatallthestainsonthiscoat,withitsgoldbuttonsalwayskeptpolishedandshiny,whiletheoldmaninitwouldsleep,highlyuncomfortablebutpeaceful.

           Assoonasitstruckten,Gregor’smotherwouldspeakgentlytohisfathertowakehimandtrytopersuadehimtogotobed,ashecouldn’tsleepproperlywherehewasandhereallyhadtogethissleepifhewastobeupatsixtogettowork.