第9页 / 共140页

Gregor had wanted to give a full answer and explain everything,

but in the circumstances contented himself with saying: "Yes,

mother, yes, thank-you, I'm getting up now." The change in

Gregor's voice probably could not be noticed outside through the

wooden door, as his mother was satisfied with this explanation

and shuffled away. But this short conversation made the other

members of the family aware that Gregor, against their

expectations was still at home, and soon his father came knocking

at one of the side doors, gently, but with his fist. "Gregor,

Gregor", he called, "what's wrong?" And after a short while he

called again with a warning deepness in his voice: "Gregor!

Gregor!" At the other side door his sister came plaintively:

"Gregor? Aren't you well? Do you need anything?" Gregor answered

to both sides: "I'm ready, now", making an effort to remove all

the strangeness from his voice by enunciating very carefully and

putting long pauses between each, individual word.