Чума
Part I
"Thereisaratherinterestingfamilyinthehotelrestaurant.Thefatherisatall,thinman,dressedinblack,withastiffcollar.Thecrownofhisheadisbaldandhehastwotuftsofgreyhaironeitherside.Hishardlittleroundeyes,hisslendernoseandhisstraightmouthmakehimlooklikeawell-trainedowl.Heisalwaysthefirsttoarriveatthedooroftherestaurantandstandsbacksothathiswifecanpass;sheisastinyasablackmouse,andwalksinwithalittleboyandalittlegirlatherheels,dressedlikeperformingdogs.Oncethemanhasreachedhistable,hewaitsforhiswifetositdown,thendoessohimselfbeforethetwopoodlesareallowedtoperchontheirchairs.Headdresseshiswifeandchildrenusingtheformalvous,anddelivershimselfofpolitelycuttingremarkstothefirstandsummaryorderstohisheirs:
"Nicole,youarebehavinginasupremelyunpleasantmanner."
"Thelittlegirlisabouttoburstintotears.That’swhathewants.
"Thismorningtheboywasveryexcitedbythebusinessoftherats.Hewantedtosaysomethingduringthemeal.
"Wedon’ttalkaboutratsattable,Philippe.Fromnowon,Iforbidyoutomentiontheword."
"Yourfatherisright,"saidtheblackmouse.
"Thetwopoodlesstucktheirnosesintotheirbowlsandtheowlthankedherwithanodthatgavelittleaway.
