Парфюмер. История одного убийцы

           Thereatthedoorstoodthislittledeformedpersonhehadalmostforgottenabout.“They’refine,”Baldinisaid.“Tellyourmasterthattheskinsarefine.I’llcomebyinthenextfewdaysandpayforthem.”“Yes,sir,”saidGrenouille,butstoodwherehewas,blockingthewayforBaldini,whowasreadytoleavetheworkshop.Baldiniwassomewhatstartled,butsounsuspectingthathetooktheboy’sbehaviornotforinsolencebutforshyness.“Whatisit?”heasked.“IstheresomethingelseIcandoforyou?Well?Speakup!”GrenouillestoodtherecoweringandgazingatBaldiniwithalookofapparenttimidity,butwhichinrealitycamefromacunningintensity.“Iwanttoworkforyou,MaitreBaldini.Workforyou,hereinyourbusiness.”Itwasnotspokenasarequest,butasademand;norwasitreallyspoken,butsqueezedout,hissedoutinreptilefashion.Andonceagain,BaldinimisreadGrenouille’soutrageousself-confidenceasboyishawkwardness.Hegavehimafriendlysmile.“You’reatanner’sapprentice,mylad,”hesaid.“Ihavenouseforatanner’sapprentice.Ihaveajourneymanalready,andIdon’tneedanapprentice.”“Youwanttomakethesegoatskinssmellgood,MaitreBaldini?YouwanttomakethisleatherI’vebroughtyousmellgood,don’tyou?”Grenouillehissed,asifhehadpaidnottheleastattentiontoBaldini’sanswer.“Yesindeed,”saidBaldini.“WithAmorandPsychebyPelissier?”Grenouilleasked,coweringevenmorethanbefore.Atthat,awaveofmildterrorsweptthroughBaldini’sbody.