Onemorning,whenGregorSamsawokefromtroubleddreams,hefoundhimself transformedinhisbedintoahorriblevermin.Helayonhis armour-likeback,andifheliftedhisheadalittlehecouldseehisbrownbelly,slightlydomedanddividedbyarchesintostiff sections.Thebeddingwashardlyabletocoveritandseemedreadytoslideoffanymoment.Hismanylegs, pitifullythincomparedwiththesizeoftherestofhim,wavedabout helplesslyashelooked."What'shappenedtome?"hethought.Itwasn'tadream.Hisroom,aproperhumanroomalthoughalittletoosmall,lay peacefullybetweenitsfourfamiliarwalls.A collectionoftextilesampleslayspreadoutonthetable-Samsawasa travellingsalesman-andaboveittherehungapicturethathehadrecentlycutoutofan illustratedmagazineandhousedinanice,gildedframe.Itshowedaladyfittedoutwithafurhatandfurboawhosatupright,raisingaheavyfurmuffthatcoveredthewholeofherlowerarmtowardstheviewer.Gregorthenturnedtolookoutthewindowatthedullweather.Dropsofraincouldbeheardhittingthepane,whichmadehimfeelquitesad."HowaboutifIsleepalittlebitlongerandforgetallthis nonsense",hethought,butthatwas somethinghewasunabletodobecausehewasusedtosleepingonhisright,andinhispresentstatecouldn'tgetintothat position.Howeverhardhethrewhimselfontohisright,healwaysrolledbacktowherehewas.Hemusthavetrieditahundredtimes,shuthiseyessothathewouldn'thavetolookatthe flounderinglegs,andonlystoppedwhenhebegantofeelamild,dullpaintherethathehadneverfeltbefore."Oh,God",hethought,"whata strenuouscareeritisthatI'vechosen! Travellingdayinanddayout.Doingbusinesslikethistakesmuchmoreeffortthandoingyourownbusinessathome,andontopofthatthere'sthecurseof travelling,worriesaboutmakingtrain connections,badand irregularfood,contactwith differentpeopleallthetimesothatyoucannevergettoknowanyoneorbecomefriendlywiththem.ItcanallgotoHell!"Hefeltaslightitchuponhisbelly;pushedhimselfslowlyuponhisbacktowardsthe headboardsothathecouldlifthisheadbetter;foundwheretheitchwas,andsawthatitwascoveredwithlotsoflittlewhitespotswhichhedidn'tknowwhattomakeof;andwhenhetriedtofeeltheplacewithoneofhislegshedrewitquicklybackbecauseassoonashetouchedithewasovercomebyacoldshudder.Heslidbackintohisformer position."Gettingupearlyallthetime",hethought,"itmakesyoustupid.You'vegottogetenoughsleep.Other travellingsalesmenlivealifeofluxury.For instance,wheneverIgobacktotheguesthouseduringthemorningtocopyoutthe contract,these gentlemenarealwaysstillsittingthereeatingtheir breakfasts.Ioughttojusttrythatwithmyboss;I'dgetkickedoutonthespot.Butwhoknows,maybethatwouldbethebestthingforme.IfIdidn'thavemyparentstothinkaboutI'dhavegiveninmynoticealongtimeago,I'dhavegoneuptothebossandtoldhimjustwhatIthink,tellhim everythingIwould,lethimknowjustwhatIfeel.He'dfallrightoffhisdesk!Andit'safunnysortofbusinesstobesittingupthereatyourdesk,talkingdownatyour subordinatesfromupthere, especiallywhenyouhavetogorightupclosebecausethebossishardofhearing.Well,there'sstillsomehope;onceI'vegotthemoneytogethertopayoffmyparents'debttohim-anotherfiveorsixyearsIsuppose-that's definitelywhatI'lldo.That'swhenI'llmakethebigchange.Firstofallthough,I'vegottogetup,mytrainleavesatfive."Andhelookedoveratthealarmclock,tickingonthechestofdrawers."GodinHeaven!"hethought.Itwashalfpastsixandthehandswerequietlymoving forwards,itwasevenlaterthanhalfpast,morelikequartertoseven.Hadthealarmclocknotrung?Hecouldseefromthebedthatithadbeensetforfouro'clockasitshouldhavebeen;it certainlymusthaverung.Yes,butwasitpossibletoquietlysleepthroughthatfurniture-rattlingnoise?True,hehadnotslept peacefully,butprobablyallthemoredeeplybecauseofthat.Whatshouldhedonow?Thenexttrainwentatseven;ifheweretocatchthathewouldhavetorushlikemadandthe collectionofsampleswasstillnotpacked,andhedidnotatallfeel particularlyfreshandlively.Andevenifhedidcatchthetrainhewouldnotavoidhisboss'sangerastheoffice assistantwouldhavebeentheretoseethefiveo'clocktraingo,hewouldhaveputinhisreportaboutGregor'snotbeingtherealongtimeago.Theoffice assistantwastheboss'sman, spineless,andwithnounderstanding.Whataboutifhereportedsick?Butthatwouldbe extremelystrainedand suspiciousasinfifteenyearsofserviceGregorhadneveronceyetbeenill.Hisbosswould certainlycomeroundwiththedoctorfromthemedical insurancecompany,accusehisparentsofhavingalazyson,andacceptthedoctor'srecommendationnottomakeanyclaimasthedoctorbelievedthatno-onewaseverillbutthatmanywereworkshy.Andwhat'smore,wouldhehavebeenentirelywronginthiscase?Gregordidinfact,apartfrom excessive sleepinessaftersleepingforsolong,feel completelywellandevenfeltmuchhungrierthanusual.Hewasstill hurriedlythinkingallthisthrough,unabletodecidetogetoutofthebed,whentheclockstruckquartertoseven.Therewasacautiousknockatthedoornearhishead. "Gregor",somebodycalled-itwashismother-"it'squartertoseven.Didn'tyouwanttogo somewhere?"Thatgentlevoice!Gregorwasshockedwhenheheardhisownvoice answering,itcouldhardlybe recognisedasthevoicehehadhadbefore.Asiffromdeepinsidehim,therewasapainfulanduncontrollable squeakingmixedinwithit,thewordscouldbemadeoutatfirstbutthentherewasasortofechowhichmadethemunclear,leavingthehearerunsurewhetherhehadheardproperlyornot.Gregorhadwantedtogiveafullanswerandexplain everything,butinthe circumstances contentedhimselfwithsaying:"Yes,mother,yes, thank-you,I'mgettingupnow."ThechangeinGregor'svoiceprobablycouldnotbenoticedoutsidethroughthewoodendoor,ashismotherwas satisfiedwiththis explanationandshuffledaway.Butthisshort conversationmadetheothermembersofthefamilyawarethatGregor,againsttheir expectationswasstillathome,andsoonhisfathercameknockingatoneofthesidedoors,gently,butwithhisfist."Gregor,Gregor",hecalled,"what'swrong?"Andafterashortwhilehecalledagainwithawarningdeepnessinhisvoice:"Gregor!Gregor!"Attheothersidedoorhissistercame plaintively:"Gregor?Aren'tyouwell?Doyouneed anything?"Gregoransweredtobothsides:"I'mready,now",makinganefforttoremoveallthe strangenessfromhisvoiceby enunciatingvery carefullyandputtinglongpausesbetweeneach, individualword.Hisfatherwentbacktohis breakfast,buthissister whispered:"Gregor,openthedoor,Ibegofyou."Gregor,however,hadnothoughtofopeningthedoor,andinstead congratulatedhimselfforhiscautioushabit,acquiredfromhis travelling,oflockingalldoorsatnightevenwhenhewasathome.Thefirstthinghewantedtodowastogetupinpeacewithoutbeing disturbed,togetdressed,andmostofalltohavehis breakfast.Onlythenwouldheconsiderwhattodonext,ashewaswellawarethathewouldnotbringhisthoughtstoanysensible conclusionsbylyinginbed.He rememberedthathehadoftenfeltaslightpaininbed,perhapscausedbylying awkwardly,butthathadalwaysturnedouttobepure imaginationandhewonderedhowhis imaginingswouldslowlyresolve themselvestoday.Hedidnothavethe slightestdoubtthatthechangeinhisvoicewasnothingmorethanthefirstsignofaseriouscold,whichwasan occupationalhazardfor travelling salesmen.Itwasasimplemattertothrowoffthecovers;heonlyhadtoblowhimselfupalittleandtheyfelloffby themselves.Butitbecame difficultafterthat, especiallyashewasso exceptionallybroad.Hewouldhaveusedhisarmsandhishandstopushhimselfup;butinsteadofthemheonlyhadallthoselittlelegs continuouslymovingin different directions,andwhichhewasmoreoverunabletocontrol.Ifhewantedtobendoneofthem,thenthatwasthefirstonethatwouldstretchitselfout;andifhefinallymanagedtodowhathewantedwiththatleg,alltheothersseemedtobesetfreeandwouldmoveabout painfully."Thisis somethingthatcan'tbedoneinbed",Gregorsaidtohimself,"sodon'tkeeptryingtodoit".Thefirstthinghewantedtodowasgetthelowerpartofhisbodyoutofthebed,buthehadneverseenthislowerpart,andcouldnotimaginewhatitlookedlike;itturnedouttobetoohardtomove;itwentsoslowly;andfinally,almostinafrenzy,whenhe carelesslyshovedhimselfforwardswithalltheforcehecouldgather,hechosethewrong direction,hithardagainstthelowerbedpost,andlearnedfromtheburningpainhefeltthatthelowerpartofhisbodymightwell,atpresent,bethemost sensitive.Sothenhetriedtogetthetoppartofhisbodyoutofthebedfirst, carefullyturninghisheadtotheside.Thishemanagedquiteeasily,anddespiteitsbreadthanditsweight,thebulkofhisbody eventuallyfollowedslowlyinthe directionofthehead.Butwhenhehadatlastgothisheadoutofthebedandintothefreshairitoccurredtohimthatifhelethimselffallitwouldbeamiracleifhisheadwerenotinjured,sohebecameafraidtocarryonpushinghimselfforwardthesameway.Andhecouldnotknockhimselfoutnowatanyprice;bettertostayinbedthanloseconsciousness.Ittookjustasmuchefforttogetbacktowherehehadbeenearlier,butwhenhelaytheresighing,andwasoncemorewatchinghislegsasthey struggledagainsteachotherevenharderthanbefore,ifthatwas possible,hecouldthinkofnowayofbringingpeaceandordertothischaos.Hetoldhimselfoncemorethatitwasnotpossibleforhimtostayinbedandthatthemostsensiblethingtodowouldbetogetfreeofitinwhateverwayhecouldatwhatever sacrifice.Atthesametime,though,hedidnotforgettoremindhimselfthatcalm considerationwasmuchbetterthanrushingto desperate conclusions.Attimeslikethishewoulddirecthiseyestothewindowandlookoutasclearlyashecould,butunfortunately,eventheothersideofthenarrowstreetwas envelopedinmorningfogandtheviewhadlittle confidenceorcheertoofferhim."Seveno'clock, already",hesaidtohimselfwhentheclockstruckagain,"seveno'clock,andthere'sstillafoglikethis."Andhelaytherequietlyawhilelonger, breathinglightlyasifheperhapsexpectedthetotal stillnesstobringthingsbacktotheirrealandnaturalstate.Butthenhesaidtohimself:"BeforeitstrikesquarterpastsevenI'll definitelyhavetohavegotproperlyoutofbed.Andbythensomebodywillhavecomeroundfromworktoaskwhat'shappenedtomeaswell,astheyopenupatworkbeforeseven o'clock."Andsohesethimselftothetaskofswingingtheentirelengthofhisbodyoutofthebedallatthesametime.Ifhe succeededinfallingoutofbedinthiswayandkepthisheadraisedashedidsohecouldprobablyavoidinjuringit.Hisbackseemedtobequitehard,andprobablynothingwouldhappentoitfallingontothecarpet.Hismainconcernwasfortheloudnoisehewasboundtomake,andwhicheventhroughallthedoorswouldprobablyraiseconcernifnotalarm.Butitwas somethingthathadtoberisked.WhenGregorwasalreadystickinghalfwayoutofthebed-thenewmethodwasmoreofagamethananeffort,allhehadtodowasrockbackandforth-itoccurredtohimhowsimple everythingwouldbeifsomebodycametohelphim.Twostrongpeople-hehadhisfatherandthemaidinmind-wouldhavebeenmorethanenough;theywouldonlyhavetopushtheirarmsunderthedomeofhisback,peelhimawayfromthebed,benddownwiththeloadandthenbepatientandcarefulasheswangoverontothefloor,where, hopefully,thelittlelegswouldfindause.Shouldhereallycallforhelpthough,evenapartfromthefactthatallthedoorswerelocked?Despiteallthe difficultyhewasin,hecouldnotsuppressasmileatthisthought.Afterawhilehehadalreadymovedsofaracrossthatitwouldhavebeenhardforhimtokeephisbalanceifherockedtoohard.Thetimewasnowtenpastsevenandhewouldhavetomakeafinaldecisionverysoon.Thentherewasaringatthedooroftheflat."That'llbesomeonefromwork",hesaidtohimself,andfrozeverystill,althoughhislittlelegsonlybecameallthemorelivelyastheydancedaround.Foramoment everythingremainedquiet."They'renotopeningthedoor",Gregorsaidtohimself,caughtinsome nonsensicalhope.Butthenofcourse,themaid'sfirmstepswenttothedooraseverandopenedit.Gregoronlyneededtohearthe visitor'sfirstwordsofgreetingandheknewwhoitwas-thechiefclerkhimself.WhydidGregorhavetobetheonlyone condemnedtoworkforacompanywherethey immediatelybecamehighly suspiciousatthe slightest shortcoming?Wereall employees,everyoneofthem,louts,wastherenotoneofthemwhowasfaithfulanddevotedwhowouldgosomadwithpangsof consciencethathecouldn'tgetoutofbedifhedidn'tspendatleastacoupleofhoursinthemorningoncompany business?Wasitreallynotenoughtoletoneofthetraineesmake enquiries-assuming enquirieswereeven necessary-didthechiefclerkhavetocomehimself,anddidtheyhavetoshowthewhole,innocentfamilythatthiswasso suspiciousthatonlythechiefclerkcouldbetrustedtohavethewisdomto investigateit?Andmorebecausethesethoughtshadmadehimupsetthanthroughanyproper decision,heswanghimselfwithallhisforceoutofthebed.Therewasaloudthump,butitwasn'treallyaloudnoise.Hisfallwassoftenedalittlebythecarpet,andGregor'sbackwasalsomoreelasticthanhehadthought,whichmadethesoundmuffledandnottoo noticeable.Hehadnotheldhishead carefullyenough,though,andhititashefell;annoyedandinpain,heturneditandrubbeditagainstthecarpet. "Something'sfallendowninthere",saidthechiefclerkintheroomontheleft.Gregortriedtoimaginewhether somethingofthesortthathadhappenedtohimtodaycouldeverhappentothechiefclerktoo;youhadtoconcedethatitwas possible.Butasifingruffreplytothis question,thechiefclerk'sfirm footstepsinhishighlypolishedbootscouldnowbeheardinthe adjoiningroom.Fromtheroomonhisright,Gregor'ssister whisperedtohimtolethimknow:"Gregor,thechiefclerkishere.""Yes,Iknow",saidGregortohimself;butwithoutdaringtoraisehisvoiceloudenoughforhissistertohearhim. "Gregor",saidhisfathernowfromtheroomtohisleft,"thechiefclerkhascomeroundandwantstoknowwhyyoudidn'tleaveontheearlytrain.Wedon'tknowwhattosaytohim.Andanyway,hewantstospeaktoyou personally.Sopleaseopenupthisdoor.I'msurehe'llbegoodenoughtoforgivethe untidinessofyourroom."Thenthechiefclerkcalled"Goodmorning,Mr.Samsa"."Heisn'twell",saidhismothertothechiefclerk,whilehisfather continuedtospeakthroughthedoor."Heisn'twell,pleasebelieveme.WhyelsewouldGregorhavemissedatrain!Theladonlyeverthinksaboutthe business.Itnearlymakesmecrossthewayhenevergoesoutinthe evenings;he'sbeenintownforaweeknowbutstayedhomeeveryevening.Hesitswithusinthekitchenandjustreadsthepaperorstudiestrain timetables.Hisideaof relaxationisworkingwithhisfretsaw.He'smadealittleframe,for instance,itonlytookhimtwoorthree evenings,you'llbeamazedhowniceitis;it'shangingupinhisroom;you'llseeitassoonasGregoropensthedoor.Anyway,I'mgladyou'rehere;wewouldn'thavebeenabletogetGregortoopenthedoorby ourselves;he'sso stubborn;andI'msureheisn'twell,hesaidthismorningthatheis,butheisn't.""I'llbethereinamoment",saidGregorslowlyand thoughtfully,butwithoutmovingsothathewouldnotmissanywordofthe conversation."WellIcan'tthinkofanyotherwayof explainingit,Mrs.Samsa",saidthechiefclerk,"Ihopeit'snothingserious.Butontheotherhand,Imustsaythatifwepeopleincommerceeverbecomeslightlyunwellthen, fortunatelyor unfortunatelyasyoulike,wesimplyhavetoovercomeitbecauseofbusinessconsiderations.""Canthechiefclerkcomeintoseeyounowthen?",askedhisfather impatiently,knockingatthedooragain."No",saidGregor.Intheroomonhisrighttherefollowedapainfulsilence;intheroomonhislefthissisterbegantocry.Sowhydidhissisternotgoandjointheothers?Shehadprobablyonlyjustgotupandhadnotevenbeguntogetdressed.Andwhywasshecrying?Wasitbecausehehadnotgotup,andhadnotletthechiefclerkin,becausehewasindangeroflosinghisjobandifthathappenedhisbosswouldoncemorepursuetheirparentswiththesamedemandsasbefore?Therewasnoneedtoworryaboutthingslikethatyet.Gregorwasstillthereandhadnotthe slightest intentionof abandoninghisfamily.Forthetimebeinghejustlaythereonthecarpet,andno-onewhoknewthe conditionhewasinwould seriouslyhaveexpectedhimtoletthechiefclerkin.Itwasonlyaminor discourtesy,andasuitableexcusecouldeasilybefoundforitlateron,itwasnot somethingforwhichGregorcouldbesackedonthespot.AnditseemedtoGregormuchmoresensibletoleavehimnowinpeaceinsteadof disturbinghimwithtalkingathimandcrying.Buttheothersdidn'tknowwhatwas happening,theywereworried,thatwouldexcusetheir behaviour.Thechiefclerknowraisedhisvoice,"Mr.Samsa",hecalledtohim,"whatiswrong?You barricadeyourselfinyourroom,giveusnomorethanyesornoforananswer,youarecausingseriousand unnecessaryconcerntoyourparentsandyoufail-andImentionthisjustbytheway-youfailtocarryoutyourbusinessdutiesinawaythatisquiteunheardof.I'mspeakinghereonbehalfofyourparentsandofyour employer,andreallymustrequestaclearand immediate explanation.Iam astonished,quite astonished.IthoughtIknewyouasacalmandsensibleperson,andnowyousuddenlyseemtobeshowingoffwithpeculiarwhims.Thismorning,youremployerdidsuggestapossiblereasonforyourfailuretoappear,it'strue-ithadtodowiththemoneythatwasrecently entrustedtoyou-butIcameneartogivinghimmywordofhonourthatthatcouldnotbetheright explanation.ButnowthatIseeyourincomprehensible stubbornnessInolongerfeelanywish whatsoeverto intercedeonyourbehalf.Andnorisyourpositionallthatsecure.Ihad originallyintendedtosayallthistoyouinprivate,butsinceyoucausemetowastemytimeherefornogoodreasonIdon'tseewhyyourparentsshouldnotalsolearnofit.Yourturnoverhasbeenveryunsatisfactoryoflate;Igrantyouthatit'snotthetimeofyeartodo especiallygood business,we recognisethat;buttheresimplyisnotimeofyeartodonobusinessatall,Mr.Samsa,wecannotallowtheretobe.""ButSir",calledGregor,besidehimselfand forgettingallelseinthe excitement,"I'llopenup immediately,justamoment.I'mslightlyunwell,anattackof dizziness,Ihaven'tbeenabletogetup.I'mstillinbednow.I'mquitefreshagainnow,though.I'mjustgettingoutofbed.Justamoment.Bepatient!It'snotquiteaseasyasI'dthought.I'mquitealrightnow,though.It's shocking,whatcansuddenlyhappentoaperson!Iwasquitealrightlastnight,myparentsknowaboutit,perhapsbetterthanme,Ihadasmallsymptomofitlastnightalready.Theymusthavenoticedit.Idon'tknowwhyIdidn'tletyouknowatwork!Butyoualwaysthinkyoucangetoveranillnesswithoutstayingathome.Please,don'tmakemyparentssuffer!There'snobasisforanyofthe accusationsyou'remaking;nobody'seversaidawordtomeaboutanyofthesethings.Maybeyouhaven'treadthelatest contractsIsentin.I'llsetoffwiththeeighto'clocktrain,aswell,thesefewhoursofresthavegivenme strength.Youdon'tneedtowait,sir;I'llbeintheofficesoonafteryou,andpleasebesogoodastotellthattothebossand recommendmetohim!"AndwhileGregorgushedoutthesewords,hardlyknowingwhathewassaying,hemadehiswayovertothechestofdrawers-thiswaseasilydone,probablybecauseofthepractisehehadalreadyhadinbed-wherehenowtriedtogethimselfupright.Hereallydidwanttoopenthedoor,reallydidwanttoletthemseehimandtospeakwiththechiefclerk;theotherswerebeingso insistent,andhewascurioustolearnwhattheywouldsaywhentheycaughtsightofhim.IftheywereshockedthenitwouldnolongerbeGregor'sresponsibilityandhecouldrest.If,however,theytook everythingcalmlyhewouldstillhavenoreasontobeupset,andifhehurriedhereallycouldbeatthestationforeighto'clock.Thefirstfewtimeshetriedtoclimbuponthesmoothchestofdrawershejustsliddownagain,buthefinallygavehimselfonelastswingandstoodthereupright;thelowerpartofhisbodywasinseriouspainbuthenolongergaveany attentiontoit.Nowhelethimselffallagainstthebackofanearbychairandheldtightlytotheedgesofitwithhislittlelegs.Bynowhehadalsocalmeddown,andkeptquietsothathecouldlistentowhatthechiefclerkwassaying."Didyou understandawordofallthat?"thechiefclerkaskedhisparents,"surelyhe'snottryingtomakefoolsofus"."Oh,God!"calledhismother,whowasalreadyintears,"hecouldbe seriouslyillandwe'remakinghimsuffer.Grete!Grete!"shethencried. "Mother?"hissistercalledfromtheotherside.They communicatedacrossGregor'sroom."You'llhavetogoforthedoctorstraightaway.Gregorisill.Quick,getthedoctor.DidyouhearthewayGregorspokejustnow?""Thatwasthevoiceofananimal",saidthechiefclerk,withacalmnessthatwasincontrastwithhismother'sscreams."Anna!Anna!"hisfathercalledintothekitchenthroughtheentrancehall,clappinghishands,"geta locksmithhere,now!"Andthetwogirls,theirskirts swishing, immediatelyranoutthroughthehall, wrenchingopenthefrontdooroftheflatastheywent.Howhadhissistermanagedtogetdressedsoquickly?Therewasnosoundofthedoorbangingshutagain;theymusthaveleftitopen;peopleoftendoinhomeswhere somethingawfulhas happened.Gregor,in contrast,hadbecomemuchcalmer.Sotheycouldn't understandhiswordsanymore,althoughtheyseemedclearenoughtohim,clearerthanbefore-perhapshisearshadbecomeusedtothesound.Theyhad realised,though,thattherewas somethingwrongwithhim,andwerereadytohelp.Thefirstresponsetohis situationhadbeen confidentandwise,andthatmadehimfeelbetter.Hefeltthathehadbeendrawnbackinamongpeople,andfromthedoctorandthe locksmithheexpectedgreatand surprising achievements-althoughhedidnotreally distinguishonefromtheother.Whateverwassaidnextwouldbecrucial,so,inordertomakehisvoiceasclearas possible,hecoughedalittle,buttakingcaretodothisnottooloudlyaseventhismightwellsound differentfromthewaythatahumancoughsandhewasnolongersurehecouldjudgethisforhimself. Meanwhile,ithadbecomeveryquietinthenextroom.Perhapshisparentsweresatatthetable whisperingwiththechiefclerk,orperhapstheywereallpressedagainstthedoorand listening.Gregorslowlypushedhiswayovertothedoorwiththechair.Oncethereheletgoofitandthrewhimselfontothedoor,holdinghimselfuprightagainstitusingtheadhesiveonthetipsofhislegs.Herestedtherealittlewhiletorecoverfromtheeffortinvolvedandthensethimselftothetaskofturningthekeyinthelockwithhismouth.Heseemed,unfortunately,tohavenoproperteeth-howwashe,then,tograspthekey?-butthelackofteethwas,ofcourse,madeupforwithaverystrongjaw;usingthejaw,hereallywasabletostartthekeyturning,ignoringthefactthathemusthavebeencausingsomekindofdamageasabrownfluidcamefromhismouth,flowedoverthekeyanddrippedontothefloor. "Listen",saidthechiefclerkinthenextroom,"he'sturningthekey."Gregorwasgreatly encouragedbythis;buttheyallshouldhavebeencallingtohim,hisfatherandhismothertoo:"Welldone,Gregor",theyshouldhavecried,"keepatit,keepholdofthelock!"Andwiththeideathattheywereall excitedly followinghisefforts,hebitonthekeywithallhis strength,payingno attentiontothepainhewascausinghimself.Asthekeyturnedroundheturnedaroundthelockwithit,onlyholdinghimselfuprightwithhismouth,andhungontothekeyorpusheditdownagainwiththewholeweightofhisbodyasneeded.TheclearsoundofthelockasitsnappedbackwasGregor'ssignthathecouldbreakhisconcentration,andasheregainedhisbreathhesaidtohimself:"So,Ididn'tneedthe locksmithafterall".Thenhelayhisheadonthehandleofthedoortoopenit completely.Becausehehadtoopenthedoorinthisway,itwasalreadywideopenbeforehecouldbeseen.Hehadfirsttoslowlyturnhimselfaroundoneofthedoubledoors,andhehadtodoitvery carefullyifhedidnotwanttofallflatonhisbackbeforeenteringtheroom.Hewasstilloccupiedwiththis difficult movement,unabletopay attentiontoanythingelse,whenheheardthechiefclerkexclaimaloud"Oh!",whichsoundedlikethesoughingofthewind.Nowhealsosawhim-hewasthenearesttothedoor-hishandpressedagainsthisopenmouthandslowly retreatingasifdrivenbyasteadyand invisibleforce.Gregor'smother,herhairstill dishevelledfrombeddespitethechiefclerk'sbeingthere,lookedathisfather.Thensheunfoldedherarms,tooktwostepsforwardtowardsGregorandsankdownontothefloorintoherskirtsthatspread themselvesoutaroundherasherhead disappeareddownontoherbreast.Hisfatherlookedhostile,andclenchedhisfistsasifwantingtoknockGregorbackintohisroom.Thenhelooked uncertainlyroundthelivingroom,coveredhiseyeswithhishandsandweptsothathispowerfulchestshook.SoGregordidnotgointotheroom,butleantagainsttheinsideoftheotherdoorwhichwasstillheldboltedinplace.Inthiswayonlyhalfofhisbodycouldbeseen,alongwithhisheadaboveitwhichheleantovertoonesideashepeeredoutattheothers. Meanwhilethedayhadbecomemuchlighter;partoftheendless, grey-blackbuildingontheothersideofthestreet-whichwasahospital-couldbeseenquiteclearlywiththeaustereandregularlineofwindowspiercingitsfacade;therainwasstillfalling,nowthrowingdownlarge, individualdropletswhichhitthegroundoneatatime.Thewashingupfrom breakfastlayonthetable;therewassomuchofitbecause,forGregor'sfather, breakfastwasthemost importantmealofthedayandhewouldstretchitoutforseveralhoursashesatreadinganumberof different newspapers.Onthewallexactlyoppositetherewas photographofGregorwhenhewasa lieutenantinthearmy,hisswordinhishandandacarefreesmileonhisfaceashecalledforthrespectforhisuniformandbearing.Thedoortotheentrancehallwasopenandasthefrontdooroftheflatwasalsoopenhecouldseeontothelandingandthestairswheretheybegantheirwaydownbelow."Now,then",saidGregor,wellawarethathewastheonlyonetohavekeptcalm,"I'llgetdressedstraightawaynow,packupmysamplesandsetoff.Willyoupleasejustletmeleave?Youcansee",hesaidtothechiefclerk,"thatI'mnotstubbornandIliketodomyjob;beinga commercial travellerisarduousbutwithout travellingIcouldn'tearnmyliving.Sowhereareyougoing,intotheoffice?Yes?Willyoureport everything accurately,then?It'squitepossibleforsomeonetobe temporarilyunabletowork,butthat'sjusttherighttimetorememberwhat'sbeenachievedinthepastandconsiderthatlateron,oncethe difficultyhasbeenremoved,hewill certainlyworkwithallthemore diligenceandconcentration.You'rewellawarethatI'm seriouslyindebttoouremployeraswellashavingtolookaftermyparentsandmysister,sothatI'mtrappedina difficult situation,butIwillworkmywayoutofitagain.Pleasedon'tmakethingsanyharderformethantheyarealready,anddon'ttakesidesagainstmeattheoffice.Iknowthatnobodylikesthe travellers.Theythinkweearnanenormouswageaswellashavingasofttimeofit.That'sjust prejudicebuttheyhaveno particularreasontothinkbetterofit.Butyou,sir,youhaveabetteroverviewthantherestofthestaff,infact,ifIcansaythisin confidence,abetteroverviewthanthebosshimself-it'sveryeasyfora businessmanlikehimtomakemistakesabouthis employeesandjudgethemmoreharshlythanheshould.Andyou'realsowellawarethatwe travellersspendalmostthewholeyearawayfromtheoffice,sothatwecanveryeasilyfallvictimtogossipandchanceand groundless complaints,andit'salmost impossibletodefendyourselffromthatsortofthing,wedon'tusuallyevenhearaboutthem,orifatallit'swhenwearrivebackhome exhaustedfromatrip,andthat'swhenwefeeltheharmfuleffectsofwhat'sbeengoingonwithoutevenknowingwhatcausedthem.Please,don'tgoaway,atleastfirstsay somethingtoshowthatyougrantthatI'matleastpartlyright!"ButthechiefclerkhadturnedawayassoonasGregorhadstartedtospeak,and,with protrudinglips,onlystaredbackathimoverhis trembling shouldersasheleft.HedidnotkeepstillforamomentwhileGregorwas speaking,butmovedsteadilytowardsthedoorwithouttakinghiseyesoffhim.Hemovedvery gradually,asiftherehadbeensomesecret prohibitiononleavingtheroom.Itwasonlywhenhehadreachedtheentrancehallthathemadeasudden movement,drewhisfootfromthelivingroom,andrushedforwardinapanic.Inthehall,he stretchedhisrighthandfarouttowardsthestairwayasifoutthere,thereweresome supernaturalforcewaitingtosavehim.Gregorrealisedthatitwasoutofthequestiontoletthechiefclerkgoawayinthismoodifhispositioninthefirmwasnottobeputintoextremedanger.Thatwas somethinghisparentsdidnot understandverywell;overtheyears,theyhadbecome convincedthatthisjobwouldprovideforGregorforhisentirelife,andbesides,theyhadsomuchtoworryaboutatpresentthattheyhadlostsightofanythoughtforthefuture.Gregor,though,didthinkaboutthefuture.Thechiefclerkhadtobeheldback,calmeddown, convincedandfinallywonover;thefutureofGregorandhisfamilydependedonit!Ifonlyhissisterwerehere!Shewasclever;shewasalreadyintearswhileGregorwasstilllying peacefullyonhisback.Andthechiefclerkwasaloverofwomen,surelyshecouldpersuadehim;shewouldclosethefrontdoorintheentrancehallandtalkhimoutofhisshockedstate.Buthissisterwasnotthere,Gregorwouldhavetodothejobhimself.Andwithout consideringthathestillwasnotfamiliarwithhowwellhecouldmoveaboutinhispresentstate,orthathisspeechstillmightnot-orprobablywouldnot-be understood,heletgoofthedoor;pushedhimselfthroughtheopening;triedtoreachthechiefclerkonthelandingwho, ridiculously,washoldingontothebanisterwithbothhands;butGregorfell immediatelyoverand,withalittlescreamashesought somethingtoholdonto,landedonhisnumerouslittlelegs.Hardlyhadthathappenedthan,forthefirsttimethatday,hebegantofeelalrightwithhisbody;thelittlelegshadthesolidgroundunderthem;tohis pleasure,theydidexactlyashetoldthem;theywereevenmakingtheefforttocarryhimwherehewantedtogo;andhewassoon believingthatallhissorrowswouldsoonbefinallyatanend.Heheldbacktheurgetomovebutswayedfromsidetosideashecrouchedthereonthefloor.Hismotherwasnotfarawayinfrontofhimandseemed,atfirst,quite engrossedinherself,butthenshesuddenlyjumpedupwithherarms outstretchedandherfingersspread shouting:"Help,forpity'ssake,Help!"Thewaysheheldherhead suggestedshewantedtoseeGregorbetter,butthe unthinkingwayshewashurrying backwardsshowedthatshedidnot;shehad forgottenthatthetablewasbehindherwithallthe breakfastthingsonit;whenshereachedthetableshesatquicklydownonitwithoutknowingwhatshewasdoing;withoutevenseemingtonoticethatthecoffeepothadbeenknockedoverandagushofcoffeewaspouringdownontothecarpet."Mother,mother",saidGregorgently,lookingupather.Hehad completely forgottenthechiefclerkforthemoment,butcouldnothelphimselfsnappingintheairwithhisjawsatthesightoftheflowofcoffee.Thatsethismother screaminganew,shefledfromthetableandintothearmsofhisfatherasherushedtowardsher.Gregor,though,hadnotimetospareforhisparentsnow;thechiefclerkhadalreadyreachedthestairs;withhischinonthe banister,helookedbackforthelasttime.Gregormadearunforhim;hewantedtobesureofreachinghim;thechiefclerkmusthaveexpected something,asheleaptdownseveralstepsatonceand disappeared;hisshouts resoundingallaroundthe staircase.Theflightofthechiefclerkseemed,unfortunately,toputGregor'sfatherintoapanicaswell.Untilthenhehadbeen relativelyself controlled,butnow,insteadofrunningafterthechiefclerkhimself,oratleastnotimpedingGregorasheranafterhim,Gregor'sfatherseizedthechiefclerk'sstickinhisrighthand(thechiefclerkhadleftitbehindonachair,alongwithhishatand overcoat),pickedupalarge newspaperfromthetablewithhisleft,andusedthemtodriveGregorbackintohisroom,stampinghisfootathimashewent.Gregor'sappealstohisfatherwereofnohelp,hisappealsweresimplynot understood,howevermuchhehumblyturnedhisheadhisfathermerelystampedhisfootalltheharder.Acrosstheroom,despitethechillyweather,Gregor'smotherhadpulledopenawindow,leantfaroutofitandpressedherhandstoherface.Astrongdraughtofairflewinfromthestreettowardsthe stairway,thecurtainsflewup,the newspapersonthetable flutteredandsomeofthemwereblownontothefloor.NothingwouldstopGregor'sfatherashedrovehimback,makinghissingnoisesathimlikeawildman.Gregorhadneverhadanypracticeinmoving backwardsandwasonlyabletogoveryslowly.IfGregorhadonlybeenallowedtoturnroundhewouldhavebeenbackinhisroomstraightaway,buthewasafraidthatifhetookthetimetodothathisfatherwouldbecome impatient,andtherewasthethreatofalethalblowtohisbackorheadfromthestickinhisfather'shandanymoment. Eventually,though,Gregorrealisedthathehadnochoiceashesaw,tohisdisgust,thathewasquite incapableofgoing backwardsinastraightline;sohebegan,asquicklyaspossibleandwithfrequentanxiousglancesathisfather,toturnhimselfround.Itwentveryslowly,butperhapshisfatherwasabletoseehisgood intentionsashedidnothingtohinderhim,infactnowandthenheusedthetipofhissticktogive directionsfromadistanceastowhichwaytoturn.Ifonlyhisfatherwouldstopthat unbearablehissing!ItwasmakingGregorquite confused.Whenhehadnearlyfinishedturninground,still listeningtothathissing,hemadeamistakeandturnedhimselfbackalittlethewayhehadjustcome.Hewaspleasedwhenhefinallyhadhisheadinfrontofthedoorway,butthensawthatitwastoonarrow,andhisbodywastoobroadtogetthroughitwithoutfurther difficulty.Inhispresentmood,it obviouslydidnotoccurtohisfathertoopentheotherofthedoubledoorssothatGregorwouldhaveenoughspacetogetthrough.HewasmerelyfixedontheideathatGregorshouldbegotbackintohisroomasquicklyas possible.NorwouldheeverhaveallowedGregorthetimetogethimselfuprightas preparationforgettingthroughthedoorway.Whathedid,makingmorenoisethanever,wastodriveGregorforwardsalltheharderasiftherehadbeennothingintheway;itsoundedtoGregorasiftherewasnowmorethanonefatherbehindhim;itwasnotapleasant experience,andGregorpushedhimselfintothedoorwaywithoutregardforwhatmighthappen.Onesideofhisbodylifteditself,helayatanangleinthedoorway,oneflankscrapedonthewhitedoorandwas painfullyinjured,leavingvilebrownflecksonit,soonhewasstuckfastandwouldnothavebeenabletomoveatallbyhimself,thelittlelegsalongonesidehung quiveringintheairwhilethoseontheothersidewerepressed painfullyagainsttheground.Thenhisfathergavehimaheftyshovefrombehindwhichreleasedhimfromwherehewasheldandsenthimflying,andheavily bleeding,deepintohisroom.Thedoorwasslammedshutwiththestick,then,finally,allwasquiet.ItwasnotuntilitwasgettingdarkthateveningthatGregorawokefromhisdeepand coma-likesleep.Hewouldhavewokensoon afterwardsanywayevenifhehadn'tbeen disturbed,ashehadhadenoughsleepandfeltfullyrested.Buthehadthe impressionthatsomehurriedstepsandthesoundofthedoorleadingintothefrontroombeing carefullyshuthadwokenhim.Thelightfromtheelectricstreetlampsshonepalelyhereandthereontotheceilingandtopsofthe furniture,butdownbelow,whereGregorwas,itwasdark.Hepushedhimselfovertothedoor,feelinghiswayclumsilywithhisantennae-ofwhichhewasnow beginningtolearnthevalue-inordertoseewhathadbeen happeningthere.Thewholeofhisleftsideseemedlikeone, painfully stretchedscar,andhelimpedbadlyonhistworowsoflegs.Oneofthelegshadbeenbadlyinjuredintheeventsofthatmorning-itwasnearlyamiraclethatonlyoneofthemhadbeen-anddraggedalong lifelessly.Itwasonlywhenhehadreachedthedoorthatherealisedwhatitactuallywasthathaddrawnhimovertoit;itwasthesmellof somethingtoeat.Bythedoortherewasadishfilledwith sweetenedmilkwithlittlepiecesofwhitebreadfloatinginit.Hewassopleasedhealmostlaughed,ashewasevenhungrierthanhehadbeenthatmorning,and immediatelydippedhisheadintothemilk,nearlycoveringhiseyeswithit.Buthesoondrewhisheadbackagainindisappointment;notonlydidthepaininhistenderleftsidemakeit difficulttoeatthefood-hewasonlyabletoeatifhiswholebodyworkedtogetherasa snufflingwhole-butthemilkdidnottasteatallnice.Milklikethiswasnormallyhis favouritedrink,andhissisterhad certainlyleftitthereforhimbecauseofthat,butheturned,almostagainsthisownwill,awayfromthedishandcrawledbackintothecentreoftheroom.Throughthecrackinthedoor,Gregorcouldseethatthegashadbeenlitinthelivingroom.Hisfatheratthistimewouldnormallybesatwithhiseveningpaper,readingitoutinaloudvoicetoGregor'smother,and sometimestohissister,buttherewasnownotasoundtobeheard.Gregor'ssisterwouldoftenwriteandtellhimaboutthisreading,butmaybehisfatherhadlostthehabitinrecenttimes.Itwassoquietallaroundtoo,eventhoughtheremusthavebeensomebodyintheflat."Whataquietlifeitisthefamilylead",saidGregortohimself,and,gazingintothe darkness,feltagreatpridethathewasabletoprovidealifelikethatinsuchanicehomeforhissisterandparents.Butwhatnow,ifallthispeaceandwealthandcomfortshouldcometoahorribleand frighteningend?Thatwas somethingthatGregordidnotwanttothinkabouttoomuch,sohestartedtomoveabout,crawlingupanddowntheroom.Onceduringthatlongevening,thedoorononesideoftheroomwasopenedveryslightlyand hurriedlyclosedagain;lateronthedoorontheothersidedidthesame;itseemedthatsomeoneneededtoentertheroombutthoughtbetterofit.Gregorwentandwaited immediatelybythedoor,resolvedeithertobringthetimorousvisitorintotheroominsomewayoratleasttofindoutwhoitwas;butthedoorwasopenednomorethatnightandGregorwaitedinvain.Thepreviousmorningwhilethedoorswerelockedeveryonehadwantedtogetintheretohim,butnow,nowthathehadopeneduponeofthedoorsandtheotherhadclearlybeenunlockedsometimeduringtheday,no-onecame,andthekeyswereintheothersides.Itwasnotuntillateatnightthatthegaslightinthelivingroomwasputout,andnowitwaseasytoseethathisparentsandsisterhadstayedawakeallthattime,astheyallcouldbe distinctlyheardastheywentawaytogetherontip-toe.Itwasclearthatno-onewouldcomeintoGregor'sroomanymoreuntilmorning;thatgavehimplentyoftimetothink undisturbedabouthowhewouldhaveto re-arrangehislife.Forsomereason,thetall,emptyroomwherehewasforcedtoremainmadehimfeeluneasyashelaythereflatonthefloor,eventhoughhehadbeenlivinginitforfiveyears.Hardlyawareofwhathewasdoingotherthanaslightfeelingofshame,hehurriedunderthecouch.Itpresseddownonhisbackalittle,andhewasnolongerabletolifthishead,buthe nonethelessfelt immediatelyateaseandhisonlyregretwasthathisbodywastoobroadtogetitall underneath.Hespentthewholenightthere.Someofthetimehepassedinalightsleep,althoughhe frequentlywokefromitinalarmbecauseofhishunger,andsomeofthetimewasspentinworriesandvaguehopeswhich,however,alwaysledtothesame conclusion:forthetimebeinghemustremaincalm,hemustshowpatienceandthegreatest considerationsothathisfamilycouldbeartheunpleasantnessthathe,inhispresent condition,wasforcedtoimposeonthem.Gregorsoonhadthe opportunitytotestthestrengthofhis decisions,asearlythenextmorning,almostbeforethenighthadended,hissister,nearlyfullydressed,openedthedoorfromthefrontroomandlooked anxiouslyin.Shedidnotseehimstraightaway,butwhenshedidnoticehimunderthecouch-hehadtobe somewhere,forGod'ssake,hecouldn'thaveflownaway-shewassoshockedthatshelostcontrolofherselfandslammedthedoorshutagainfromoutside.Butsheseemedtoregrether behaviour,assheopenedthedooragainstraightawayandcameinontip-toeasifenteringtheroomofsomeone seriouslyillorevenofa stranger.Gregorhadpushedhisheadforward,righttotheedgeofthecouch,andwatchedher.Wouldshenoticethathehadleftthemilkasitwas,realisethatitwasnotfromanylackofhungerandbringhiminsomeotherfoodthatwasmore suitable?Ifshedidn'tdoitherselfhewouldrathergohungrythandrawher attentiontoit,althoughhedidfeelaterribleurgetorushforwardfromunderthecouch,throwhimselfathissister'sfeetandbegherfor somethinggoodtoeat.However,hissisternoticedthefulldish immediatelyandlookedatitandthefewdropsofmilksplashedarounditwithsome surprise.She immediatelypickeditup-usingarag,notherbarehands-andcarrieditout.Gregorwas extremelycuriousastowhatshewouldbringinitsplace, imaginingthewildestpossibilities,buthenevercouldhaveguessedwhathissister,inher goodness,actuallydidbring.Inordertotesthistaste,shebroughthimawhole selectionofthings,allspreadoutonanold newspaper.Therewereold, half-rotten vegetables;bonesfromtheeveningmeal,coveredinwhitesaucethathadgonehard;afewraisinsandalmonds;somecheesethatGregorhaddeclaredinedibletwodaysbefore;adryrollandsomebreadspreadwithbutterandsalt.Aswellasallthatshehadpouredsomewaterintothedish,whichhadprobablybeen permanentlysetasideforGregor'suse,andplaceditbesidethem.Then,outof considerationforGregor's feelings,assheknewthathewouldnoteatinfrontofher,shehurriedoutagainandeventurnedthekeyinthelocksothatGregorwouldknowhecouldmakethingsas comfortableforhimselfasheliked.Gregor'slittlelegswhirred,atlasthecouldeat.What'smore,hisinjuriesmustalreadyhave completelyhealedashefoundno difficultyinmoving.Thisamazedhim,asmorethanamonthearlierhehadcuthisfingerslightlywithaknife,hethoughtofhowhisfingerhadstillhurtthedaybefore yesterday."AmIless sensitivethanIusedtobe,then?",hethought,andwasalreadysuckinggreedilyatthecheesewhichhad immediately,almost compellingly, attractedhimmuchmorethantheotherfoodsonthe newspaper.Quicklyoneafteranother,hiseyeswateringwith pleasure,heconsumedthecheese,the vegetablesandthesauce;thefreshfoods,ontheotherhand,hedidn'tlikeatall,andevendraggedthethingshedidwanttoeatalittlewayawayfromthembecausehecouldn'tstandthesmell.Longafterhehadfinishedeatingandlay lethargicinthesameplace,hissisterslowlyturnedthekeyinthelockasasigntohimthatheshould withdraw.Hewas immediately startled,althoughhehadbeenhalfasleep,andhehurriedbackunderthecouch.Butheneededgreat self-controltostaythereevenfortheshorttimethathissisterwasintheroom,aseatingsomuchfoodhadroundedouthisbodyalittleandhecouldhardlybreatheinthatnarrowspace.Half suffocating,hewatchedwithbulgingeyesashissisterunselfconsciouslytookabroomandsweptupthe left-overs,mixingtheminwiththefoodhehadnoteventouchedatallasifitcouldnotbeusedanymore.Shequicklydroppeditallintoabin,closeditwithitswoodenlid,andcarried everythingout.ShehadhardlyturnedherbackbeforeGregorcameoutagainfromunderthecouchand stretchedhimself.ThiswashowGregorreceivedhisfoodeachdaynow,onceinthemorningwhilehisparentsandthemaidwerestillasleep,andthesecondtimeaftereveryonehadeatentheirmealatmiddayashisparentswouldsleepforalittlewhilethenaswell,andGregor'ssisterwouldsendthemaidawayonsomeerrand.Gregor'sfatherandmother certainlydidnotwanthimtostarveeither,butperhapsitwouldhavebeenmorethantheycouldstandtohaveanymore experienceofhisfeedingthanbeingtoldaboutit,andperhapshissisterwantedtosparethemwhatdistressshecouldastheywereindeed sufferingenough.Itwas impossibleforGregortofindoutwhattheyhadtoldthedoctorandthe locksmiththatfirstmorningtogetthemoutoftheflat.Asnobodycould understandhim,nobody,notevenhissister,thoughtthathecould understandthem,sohehadtobecontenttohearhissister'ssighsandappealstothesaintsasshemovedabouthisroom.Itwasonlylater,whenshehadbecomealittlemoreusedto everything-therewas,ofcourse,noquestionofhereverbecomingfullyusedtothe situation-thatGregorwould sometimescatchafriendlycomment,oratleastacommentthatcouldbe construedas friendly."He'senjoyedhisdinnertoday",shemightsaywhenhehad diligentlyclearedawayallthefoodleftforhim,orifheleftmostofit,whichslowlybecamemoreandmore frequent,shewouldoftensay,sadly,"now everything'sjustbeenleftthereagain".AlthoughGregorwasn'tabletohearanynewsdirectlyhedidlistentomuchofwhatwassaidinthenextrooms,andwheneverheheardanyonespeakinghewouldscurrystraighttothe appropriatedoorandpresshiswholebodyagainstit.Therewasseldomany conversation, especiallyatfirst,thatwasnotabouthiminsomeway,evenifonlyinsecret.Fortwowholedays,allthetalkateverymealtimewasaboutwhattheyshoulddonow;butevenbetweenmealstheyspokeaboutthesamesubjectastherewerealwaysatleasttwomembersofthefamilyathome-nobodywantedtobeathomeby themselvesanditwasoutofthequestiontoleavetheflatentirelyempty.AndontheveryfirstdaythemaidhadfallentoherkneesandbeggedGregor'smothertolethergowithoutdelay.Itwasnotveryclearhowmuchsheknewofwhathadhappenedbutsheleftwithinaquarterofanhour, tearfullythankingGregor'smotherforher dismissalasifshehaddoneheranenormousservice.Sheevenswore emphaticallynottotellanyonethe slightestaboutwhathad happened,eventhoughno-onehadaskedthatofher.NowGregor'ssisteralsohadtohelphismotherwiththecooking;althoughthatwasnotsomuchbotherasno-oneateverymuch.Gregoroftenheardhowoneofthemwouldunsuccessfullyurgeanothertoeat,andreceivenomoreanswerthan"nothanks,I'vehadenough"or somethingsimilar.No-onedrankverymucheither.Hissisterwould sometimesaskhisfatherwhetherhewouldlikeabeer,hopingforthechancetogoandfetchitherself.Whenhisfatherthensaidnothingshewouldadd,sothathewouldnotfeelselfish,thatshecouldsendthe housekeeperforit,butthenhisfatherwouldclosethematterwithabig,loud"No",andnomorewouldbesaid.Evenbeforethefirstdayhadcometoanend,hisfatherhad explainedtoGregor'smotherandsisterwhattheirfinancesand prospectswere.Nowandthenhestoodupfromthetableandtooksomereceiptordocumentfromthelittlecashboxhehadsavedfromhisbusinesswhenithad collapsedfiveyearsearlier.Gregorheardhowheopenedthe complicatedlockandthencloseditagainafterhehadtakentheitemhewanted.WhatheheardhisfathersaywassomeofthefirstgoodnewsthatGregorheardsincehehadfirstbeen incarceratedinhisroom.Hehadthoughtthatnothingatallremainedfromhisfather's business,atleasthehadnevertoldhimanything different,andGregorhadneveraskedhimaboutitanyway.Theirbusiness misfortunehadreducedthefamilytoastateoftotaldespair,andGregor'sonlyconcernatthattimehadbeentoarrangethingssothattheycouldallforgetaboutitasquicklyas possible.Sothenhestartedworking especiallyhard,withafieryvigourthatraisedhimfromajuniorsalesmantoa travellingrepresentativealmost overnight,bringingwithitthechancetoearnmoneyinquite differentways.Gregor convertedhissuccessatworkstraightintocashthathecouldlayonthetableathomeforthebenefitofhis astonishedand delightedfamily.Theyhadbeengoodtimesandtheyhadnevercomeagain,atleastnotwiththesame splendour,eventhoughGregorhadlaterearnedsomuchthathewasinapositiontobearthecostsofthewholefamily,anddidbearthem.Theyhadevengotusedtoit,bothGregorandthefamily,theytookthemoneywith gratitudeandhewasgladtoprovideit,althoughtherewasnolongermuchwarm affectiongiveninreturn.Gregoronlyremainedclosetohissisternow.Unlikehim,shewasveryfondofmusicandagiftedand expressive violinist,itwashissecretplantosendhertothe conservatorynextyeareventhoughitwouldcausegreatexpensethatwouldhavetobemadeupforinsomeotherway.DuringGregor'sshortperiodsintown, conversationwithhissisterwouldoftenturntothe conservatorybutitwasonlyever mentionedasalovelydreamthatcouldneverbe realised.Theirparentsdidnotliketohearthisinnocenttalk,butGregorthoughtaboutitquitehardanddecidedhewouldletthemknowwhatheplannedwithagrand announcementofiton Christmasday.Thatwasthesortoftotally pointlessthingthatwentthroughhismindinhispresentstate,presseduprightagainstthedoorand listening.Thereweretimeswhenhesimplybecametootiredtocontinue listening,whenhisheadwouldfallwearilyagainstthedoorandhewouldpullitupagainwithastart,aseventhe slightestnoisehecausedwouldbeheardnextdoorandtheywouldallgosilent."What'sthathe'sdoingnow",hisfatherwouldsayafterawhile,clearlyhavinggoneovertothedoor,andonlythenwouldthe interrupted conversationslowlybetakenupagain.When explainingthings,hisfatherrepeatedhimselfseveraltimes,partlybecauseitwasalongtimesincehehadbeenoccupiedwiththesemattershimselfandpartlybecauseGregor'smotherdidnot understand everythingthefirsttime.Fromtheserepeated explanationsGregorlearned,tohis pleasure,thatdespitealltheir misfortunestherewasstillsomemoney availablefromtheolddays.Itwasnotalot,butithadnotbeentouchedinthemeantimeandsomeinteresthad accumulated.Besidesthat,theyhadnotbeenusingupallthemoneythatGregorhadbeenbringinghomeeverymonth,keepingonlyalittleforhimself,sothatthat,too,hadbeen accumulating.Behindthedoor,Gregornoddedwith enthusiasminhispleasureatthis unexpectedthriftandcaution.Hecouldactuallyhaveusedthissurplusmoneytoreducehisfather'sdebttohisboss,andthedaywhenhecouldhavefreedhimselffromthatjobwouldhavecomemuchcloser,butnowitwas certainlybetterthewayhisfatherhaddonethings.Thismoney,however,was certainlynotenoughtoenablethefamilytoliveoffthe interest;itwasenoughtomaintainthemfor,perhaps,oneortwoyears,nomore.That'stosay,itwasmoneythatshouldnotreallybetouchedbutsetasidefor emergencies;moneytoliveonhadtobeearned.Hisfatherwashealthybutold,andlackinginself confidence.Duringthefiveyearsthathehadnotbeenworking-thefirstholidayinalifethathadbeenfullofstrainandnosuccess-hehadputonalotofweightandbecomeveryslowandclumsy.WouldGregor'selderlymothernowhavetogoandearnmoney?Shesufferedfromasthmaanditwasastrainforherjusttomoveaboutthehome,everyotherdaywouldbespent strugglingforbreathonthesofabytheopenwindow.Wouldhissisterhavetogoandearnmoney?Shewasstillachildof seventeen,herlifeuptillthenhadbeenvery enviable, consistingofwearingniceclothes,sleepinglate,helpingoutinthe business,joininginwithafewmodest pleasuresandmostofallplayingtheviolin.Whenevertheybegantotalkoftheneedtoearnmoney,Gregorwouldalwaysfirstletgoofthedoorandthenthrowhimselfontothecool,leathersofanexttoit,ashebecamequitehotwithshameandregret.Hewouldoftenlietherethewholenightthrough,notsleepingawinkbut scratchingattheleatherforhoursonend.Orhemightgotoalltheeffortofpushingachairtothewindow,climbingupontothesilland,proppedupinthechair,leaningonthewindowtostareoutofit.Hehadusedtofeelagreatsenseoffreedomfromdoingthis,butdoingitnowwas obviously somethingmore rememberedthan experienced,aswhatheactuallysawinthiswaywasbecominglessdistincteveryday,eventhingsthatwerequitenear;hehadusedtocursethe ever-presentviewofthehospitalacrossthestreet,butnowhecouldnotseeitatall,andifhehadnotknownthathelivedinCharlottenstrasse,whichwasaquietstreetdespitebeinginthemiddleofthecity,hecouldhavethoughtthathewaslookingoutthewindowatabarrenwastewherethegreyskyandthegreyearthmingled inseparably.His observantsisteronlyneededtonoticethechairtwicebeforeshewouldalwayspushitbacktoitsexactpositionbythewindowaftershehadtidieduptheroom,andevenlefttheinnerpaneofthewindowopenfromthenon.IfGregorhadonlybeenabletospeaktohissisterandthankherforallthatshehadtodoforhimitwouldhavebeeneasierforhimtobearit;butasitwasitcausedhimpain.Hissister, naturally,triedasfaraspossibletopretendtherewasnothing burdensomeaboutit,andthelongeritwenton,ofcourse,thebettershewasabletodoso,butastimewentbyGregorwasalsoabletoseethroughitallsomuchbetter.Ithadevenbecomevery unpleasantforhim,now,wheneversheenteredtheroom.Nosoonerhadshecomeinthanshewouldquicklyclosethedoorasa precautionsothatno-onewouldhavetosuffertheviewintoGregor'sroom,thenshewouldgostraighttothewindowandpullit hurriedlyopenalmostasifshewere suffocating.Evenifitwascold,shewouldstayatthewindow breathingdeeplyforalittlewhile.ShewouldalarmGregortwiceadaywiththisrunningaboutandnoisemaking;hewouldstayunderthecouch shiveringthewholewhile,knowingfullwellthatshewould certainlyhavelikedtosparehimthisordeal,butitwas impossibleforhertobeinthesameroomwithhimwiththewindowsclosed.Oneday,aboutamonthafterGregor'stransformationwhenhissisternolongerhadany particularreasontobeshockedathis appearance,shecameintotheroomalittleearlierthanusualandfoundhimstillstaringoutthewindow, motionless,andjustwherehewouldbemost horrible.Initself,hissister'snotcomingintotheroomwouldhavebeennosurpriseforGregorasitwouldhavebeen difficultforherto immediatelyopenthewindowwhilehewasstillthere,butnotonlydidshenotcomein,shewentstraightbackandclosedthedoorbehindher,astrangerwouldhavethoughthehad threatenedherandtriedtobiteher.Gregorwentstraighttohidehimselfunderthecouch,ofcourse,buthehadtowaituntilmiddaybeforehissistercamebackandsheseemedmuchmoreuneasythanusual.Itmadehimrealisethatshestillfoundhis appearance unbearableandwouldcontinuetodoso,sheprobablyevenhadtoovercometheurgetofleewhenshesawthelittlebitofhimthat protrudedfromunderthecouch.Oneday,inordertosparehereventhissight,hespentfourhourscarryingthebedsheetovertothecouchonhisbackandarrangeditsothathewas completelycoveredandhissisterwouldnotbeabletoseehimevenifshebentdown.Ifshedidnotthinkthissheetwas necessarythenallshehadtodowastakeitoffagain,asitwasclearenoughthatitwasnopleasureforGregortocuthimselfoffso completely.Sheleftthesheetwhereitwas.Gregoreventhoughtheglimpsedalookof gratitudeonetimewhenhe carefullylookedoutfromunderthesheettoseehowhissisterlikedthenew arrangement.Forthefirstfourteendays,Gregor'sparentscouldnotbring themselvestocomeintotheroomtoseehim.Hewouldoftenhearthemsayhowthey appreciatedallthenewworkhissisterwasdoingeventhough,before,theyhadseenherasagirlwhowassomewhatuselessand frequentlybeenannoyedwithher.Butnowthetwoofthem,fatherandmother,wouldoftenbothwaitoutsidethedoorofGregor'sroomwhilehissistertidiedupinthere,andassoonasshewentoutagainshewouldhavetotellthemexactlyhow everythinglooked,whatGregorhadeaten,howhehadbehavedthistimeandwhether,perhaps,anyslight improvementcouldbeseen.HismotheralsowantedtogoinandvisitGregor relativelysoonbuthisfatherandsisteratfirst persuadedheragainstit.Gregorlistenedverycloselytoallthis,andapprovedfully.Later,though,shehadtobeheldbackbyforce,whichmadehercallout:"LetmegoandseeGregor,heismy unfortunateson!Can'tyou understandIhavetoseehim?",andGregorwouldthinktohimselfthatmaybeitwouldbebetterifhismothercamein,noteverydayofcourse,butonedayaweek,perhaps;shecould understand everythingmuchbetterthanhissisterwho,forallhercourage,wasstilljustachildafterall,andreallymightnothavehadanadult's appreciationofthe burdensomejobshehadtakenon.Gregor'swishtoseehismotherwassoon realised.Outof considerationforhisparents,Gregorwantedtoavoidbeingseenatthewindowduringtheday,thefewsquaremetersofthefloordidnotgivehimmuchroomtocrawlabout,itwashardtojustliequietlythroughthenight,hisfoodsoonstoppedgivinghimanypleasureatall,andso,to entertainhimself,hegotintothehabitofcrawlingupanddownthewallsandceiling.Hewas especiallyfondofhangingfromtheceiling;itwasquite differentfromlyingonthefloor;hecouldbreathemorefreely;hisbodyhadalightswingtoit;andupthere,relaxedandalmosthappy,itmighthappenthathewouldsurpriseevenhimselfbylettinggooftheceilingandlandingonthefloorwithacrash.Butnow,ofcourse,hehadfarbettercontrolofhisbodythanbeforeand,evenwithafallasgreatasthat,causedhimselfnodamage.VerysoonhissisternoticedGregor'snewwayof entertaininghimself-hehad,afterall,lefttracesoftheadhesivefromhisfeetashecrawledabout-andgotitintoherheadtomakeitaseasyaspossibleforhimbyremovingthe furniturethatgotinhisway, especiallythechestofdrawersandthedesk.Now,thiswasnot somethingthatshewouldbeabletodobyherself;shedidnotdaretoaskforhelpfromherfather;thesixteenyearoldmaidhadcarriedonbravelysincethecookhadleftbutshe certainlywouldnothavehelpedinthis,shehadevenaskedtobeallowedtokeepthekitchenlockedatalltimesandnevertohavetoopenthedoorunlessitwas especially important;sohissisterhadnochoicebuttochoosesometimewhenGregor'sfatherwasnotthereandfetchhismothertohelpher.Asshe approachedtheroom,Gregorcouldhearhismotherexpressherjoy,butonceatthedoorshewentsilent.First,ofcourse,hissistercameinandlookedroundtoseethat everythingintheroomwasalright;andonlythendidshelethermotherenter.Gregorhad hurriedlypulledthesheetdownloweroverthecouchandputmorefoldsintoitsothat everythingreallylookedasifithadjustbeenthrowndownbychance.Gregoralso refrained,thistime,fromspyingoutfromunderthesheet;hegaveupthechancetoseehismotheruntillaterandwassimplygladthatshehadcome."Youcancomein,hecan'tbeseen",saidhissister, obviouslyleadingherinbythehand.Theoldchestofdrawerswastooheavyforapairoffeeblewomentobeheavingabout,butGregorlistenedastheypusheditfromitsplace,hissisteralwaystakingontheheaviestpartoftheworkforherselfandignoringhermother'swarningsthatshewouldstrainherself.Thislastedaverylongtime.After labouringatitforfifteenminutesormorehismothersaiditwouldbebettertoleavethechestwhereitwas,foronethingitwastooheavyforthemtogetthejobfinishedbeforeGregor'sfathergothomeandleavingitinthemiddleoftheroomitwouldbeinhiswayevenmore,andforanotherthingitwasn'tevensurethattakingthe furnitureawaywouldreallybeanyhelptohim.Shethoughtjustthe opposite;thesightofthebarewallssaddenedherrighttoherheart;andwhywouldn'tGregorfeelthesamewayaboutit,he'dbeenusedtothis furnitureinhisroomforalongtimeanditwouldmakehimfeel abandonedtobeinanemptyroomlikethat.Then,quietly,almost whisperingasifwantingGregor(whose whereaboutsshedidnotknow)tohearnoteventhetoneofhervoice,asshewas convincedthathedidnot understandherwords,sheadded"andbytakingthe furnitureaway,won'titseemlikewe'reshowingthatwe'vegivenupallhopeof improvementandwe're abandoninghimtocopeforhimself?Ithinkit'dbebesttoleavetheroomexactlythewayitwasbeforesothatwhenGregorcomesbacktousagainhe'llfind everything unchangedandhe'llbeabletoforgetthetimeinbetweenalltheeasier".HearingthesewordsfromhismothermadeGregorrealisethatthelackofanydirecthumancommunication,alongwiththe monotonouslifeledbythefamilyduringthesetwomonths,musthavemadehimconfused-hecouldthinkofnootherwayof explainingtohimselfwhyhehad seriouslywantedhisroomemptiedout.Hadhereallywantedto transformhisroomintoacave,awarmroomfittedoutwiththenice furniturehehad inherited?Thatwouldhavelethimcrawlaround unimpededinany direction,butitwouldalsohavelethimquicklyforgethispastwhenhehadstillbeenhuman.Hehadcomeverycloseto forgetting,andithadonlybeenthevoiceofhismother,unheardforsolong,thathadshakenhimoutofit.Nothingshouldberemoved; everythinghadtostay;hecouldnotdowithoutthegood influencethe furniturehadonhis condition;andifthe furnituremadeit difficultforhimtocrawlabout mindlesslythatwasnotalossbutagreat advantage.Hissister,unfortunately,didnotagree;shehadbecomeusedtotheidea,notwithoutreason,thatshewasGregor's spokesmantohisparentsaboutthethingsthat concernedhim.Thismeantthathismother'sadvicenowwas sufficientreasonforhertoinsistonremovingnotonlythechestofdrawersandthedesk,asshehadthoughtatfirst,butallthe furnitureapartfromthe all-importantcouch.Itwasmorethanchildish perversity,ofcourse,orthe unexpected confidenceshehadrecently acquired,thatmadeherinsist;shehadindeednoticedthatGregorneededalotofroomtocrawlaboutin,whereasthe furniture,asfarasanyonecouldsee,wasofnousetohimatall.Girlsofthatage,though,dobecome enthusiasticaboutthingsandfeeltheymustgettheirwaywhenevertheycan.PerhapsthiswaswhattemptedGretetomakeGregor's situationseemevenmoreshockingthanitwassothatshecoulddoevenmoreforhim.Gretewouldprobablybetheonlyonewhowoulddareenteraroom dominatedbyGregorcrawlingaboutthebarewallsbyhimself.Sosherefusedtolethermotherdissuadeher.Gregor'smotheralreadylookeduneasyinhisroom,shesoonstoppedspeakingandhelpedGregor'ssistertogetthechestofdrawersoutwithwhatstrengthshehad.Thechestofdrawerswas somethingthatGregorcoulddowithoutifhehadto,butthewritingdeskhadtostay.Hardlyhadthetwowomenpushedthechestofdrawers, groaning,outoftheroomthanGregorpokedhisheadoutfromunderthecouchtoseewhathecoulddoaboutit.Hemeanttobeascarefuland considerateashecould,but,unfortunately,itwashismotherwhocamebackfirstwhileGreteinthenextroomhadherarmsroundthechest,pushingandpullingatitfromsidetosidebyherselfwithout,ofcourse,movingitaninch.HismotherwasnotusedtothesightofGregor,hemighthavemadeherill,soGregorhurried backwardstothefarendofthecouch.Inhis startlement,though,hewasnotabletopreventthesheetatitsfrontfrommovingalittle.Itwasenoughtoattracthismother's attention.Shestoodverystill,remainedthereamoment,andthenwentbackouttoGrete.Gregorkepttryingtoassurehimselfthatnothingunusualwas happening,itwasjustafewpiecesof furniturebeingmovedafterall,buthesoonhadtoadmitthatthewomengoingtoandfro,theirlittlecallstoeachother,thescrapingofthe furnitureonthefloor,allthesethingsmadehimfeelasifhewerebeingassailedfromallsides.Withhisheadandlegspulledinagainsthimandhisbodypressedtothefloor,hewasforcedtoadmittohimselfthathecouldnotstandallofthismuchlonger.Theywereemptyinghisroomout;takingaway everythingthatwasdeartohim;theyhadalreadytakenoutthechest containinghisfretsawandothertools;nowthey threatenedtoremovethewritingdeskwithitsplaceclearlywornintothefloor,thedeskwherehehaddonehishomeworkasabusinesstrainee,athighschool,evenwhilehehadbeenatinfant school--hereallycouldnotwaitanylongertoseewhetherthetwowomen's intentionsweregood.Hehadnearly forgottentheywerethereanyway,astheywerenowtootiredtosayanythingwhiletheyworkedandhecouldonlyheartheirfeetastheysteppedheavilyonthefloor.So,whilethewomenwereleantagainstthedeskintheotherroomcatchingtheirbreath,hesalliedout,changed directionfourtimesnotknowingwhatheshouldsavefirstbeforehis attentionwassuddenlycaughtbythepictureonthewall-whichwasalreadydenudedof everythingelsethathadbeenonit-oftheladydressedincopiousfur.Hehurriedupontothepictureandpressedhimselfagainstitsglass,itheldhimfirmlyandfeltgoodonhishotbelly.Thispictureatleast,nowtotallycoveredbyGregor,would certainlybetakenawaybyno-one.Heturnedhisheadtofacethedoorintothelivingroomsothathecouldwatchthewomenwhentheycameback.Theyhadnotallowed themselvesalongrestandcamebackquitesoon;Gretehadputherarmaroundhermotherandwasnearlycarryingher."Whatshallwetakenow,then?",saidGreteandlookedaround.HereyesmetthoseofGregoronthewall.Perhapsonlybecausehermotherwasthere,sheremainedcalm,bentherfacetohersothatshewouldnotlookroundandsaid,albeit hurriedlyandwithatremorinhervoice:"Comeon,let'sgobackinthelivingroomforawhile?"GregorcouldseewhatGretehadinmind,shewantedtotakehermother somewheresafeandthenchasehimdownfromthewall.Well,shecould certainlytryit!Hesat unyieldingonhispicture.HewouldratherjumpatGrete'sface.ButGrete'swordshadmadehermotherquiteworried,shesteppedtooneside,sawtheenormousbrownpatchagainsttheflowersofthe wallpaper,andbeforesheevenrealiseditwasGregorthatshesaw screamed:"OhGod,ohGod!"Arms outstretched,shefellontothecouchasifshehadgivenup everythingandstayedthere immobile. "Gregor!"shoutedhissister, gloweringathimandshakingherfist.Thatwasthefirstwordshehadspokentohimdirectlysincehistransformation.Sheranintotheotherroomtofetchsomekindofsmellingsaltstobringhermotheroutofherfaint;Gregorwantedtohelptoo-hecouldsavehispicturelater,althoughhestuckfasttotheglassandhadtopullhimselfoffbyforce;thenhe,too,ranintothenextroomasifhecouldadvisehissisterlikeintheolddays;buthehadtojuststandbehindherdoingnothing;shewaslookingintovariousbottles,hestartledherwhensheturnedround;abottlefelltothegroundandbroke;asplintercutGregor'sface,somekindofcausticmedicinesplashedalloverhim;now,withoutdelayinganylonger,Gretetookholdofallthebottlesshecouldandranwiththemintohermother;sheslammedthedoorshutwithherfoot.SonowGregorwasshutoutfromhismother,who,becauseofhim,mightbeneartodeath;hecouldnotopenthedoorifhedidnotwanttochasehissisteraway,andshehadtostaywithhismother;therewasnothingforhimtodobutwait;and, oppressedwithanxietyandself-reproach,hebegantocrawlabout,hecrawledover everything,walls, furniture,ceiling,andfinallyinhis confusionasthewholeroombegantospinaroundhimhefelldownintothemiddleofthedinnertable.Helaythereforawhile,numband immobile,allaroundhimitwasquiet,maybethatwasagoodsign.Thentherewassomeoneatthedoor.Themaid,ofcourse,hadlockedherselfinherkitchensothatGretewouldhavetogoandanswerit.Hisfatherhadarrivedhome."What's happened?"werehisfirstwords;Grete's appearancemusthavemade everythingcleartohim.Sheansweredhimwithsubduedvoice,andopenlypressedherfaceintohischest: "Mother'sfainted,butshe'sbetternow.Gregorgotout.""JustasI expected",saidhisfather,"justasIalwayssaid,butyouwomenwouldn'tlisten,wouldyou."ItwascleartoGregorthatGretehadnotsaidenoughandthathisfathertookittomeanthat somethingbadhad happened,thathewas responsibleforsomeactof violence.ThatmeantGregorwouldnowhavetotrytocalmhisfather,ashedidnothavethetimetoexplainthingstohimevenifthathadbeen possible.Sohefledtothedoorofhisroomandpressedhimselfagainstitsothathisfather,whenhecameinfromthehall,couldseestraightawaythatGregorhadthebest intentionsandwouldgobackintohisroomwithoutdelay,thatitwouldnotbe necessarytodrivehimbackbutthattheyhadonlytoopenthedoorandhewould disappear.Hisfather,though,wasnotinthemoodtonotice subtletieslikethat;"Ah!",heshoutedashecamein,soundingasifhewerebothangryandgladatthesametime.Gregordrewhisheadbackfromthedoorandliftedittowardshisfather.Hereallyhadnotimaginedhisfatherthewayhestoodtherenow;oflate,withhisnewhabitofcrawlingabout,hehad neglectedtopay attentiontowhatwasgoingontherestoftheflatthewayhehaddonebefore.Hereallyoughttohaveexpectedthingstohavechanged,butstill,still,wasthatreallyhisfather?ThesametiredmanasusedtobelayingthereentombedinhisbedwhenGregorcamebackfromhisbusinesstrips,whowouldreceivehimsittinginthearmchairinhis nightgownwhenhecamebackinthe evenings;whowashardlyevenabletostandupbut,asasignofhis pleasure,wouldjustraisehisarmsandwho,onthecoupleoftimesayearwhentheywentforawalktogetheronaSundayorpublicholidaywrappeduptightlyinhisovercoatbetweenGregorandhismother,wouldalwayslabourhiswayforwardalittlemoreslowlythanthem,whowerealreadywalkingslowlyforhissake;whowouldplacehisstickdown carefullyand,ifhewantedtosay somethingwould invariablystopandgatherhis companionsaroundhim.Hewasstandingupstraightenoughnow;dressedinasmartblueuniformwithgoldbuttons,thesortwornbythe employeesatthebanking institute;abovethehigh,stiffcollarofthecoathisstrong double-chinemerged;underthebushy eyebrows,his piercing,darkeyeslookedoutfreshandalert;hisnormallyunkemptwhitehairwascombeddown painfullyclosetohisscalp.Hetookhiscap,withitsgoldmonogramfrom, probably,somebank,andthrewitinanarcrightacrosstheroomontothesofa,puthishandsinhistrouserpockets,pushingbackthebottomofhislonguniformcoat,and,withlookofdetermination,walkedtowardsGregor.Heprobablydidnotevenknowhimselfwhathehadinmind,but nonethelessliftedhisfeet unusuallyhigh.Gregorwasamazedattheenormoussizeofthesolesofhisboots,butwastednotimewiththat-heknewfullwell,rightfromthefirstdayofhisnewlife,thathisfatherthoughtit necessarytoalwaysbe extremelystrictwithhim.Andsoheranuptohisfather,stoppedwhenhisfatherstopped,scurriedforwardsagainwhenhemoved,even slightly.Inthiswaytheywentroundtheroomseveraltimeswithoutanythingdecisive happening,withoutevengivingthe impressionofachaseas everythingwentsoslowly.Gregorremainedallthistimeonthefloor,largelybecausehefearedhisfathermightseeitas especially provokingifhefledontothewallorceiling.Whateverhedid,Gregorhadtoadmitthathe certainlywouldnotbeabletokeepupthisrunningaboutforlong,asforeachstephisfathertookhehadtocarryout countless movements.Hebecame noticeablyshortofbreath,eveninhisearlierlifehislungshadnotbeenvery reliable.Now,ashelurchedaboutinhiseffortstomusterallthestrengthhecouldforrunninghecouldhardlykeephiseyesopen;histhoughtsbecametooslowforhimtothinkofanyotherwayofsavinghimselfthanrunning;healmostforgotthatthewallswerethereforhimtouse although,here,theywere concealedbehind carefullycarved furniturefullofnotchesand protrusions-then,rightbesidehim,lightlytossed, somethingflewdownandrolledinfrontofhim.Itwasanapple;thenanotherone immediatelyflewathim;Gregorfrozeinshock;therewasnolongeranypointinrunningashisfatherhaddecidedtobombardhim.Hehadfilledhispocketswithfruitfromthebowlonthe sideboardandnow,withouteventakingthetimeforcarefulaim,threwoneappleafteranother.Theselittle,redapplesrolledaboutonthefloor,knockingintoeachotherasiftheyhadelectricmotors.AnapplethrownwithoutmuchforceglancedagainstGregor'sbackandslidoffwithoutdoinganyharm.Anotheronehowever, immediately followingit,hitsquarelyandlodgedinhisback;Gregorwantedtodraghimselfaway,asifhecouldremovethe surprising,the incrediblepainbychanginghis position;buthefeltasifnailedtothespotandspreadhimselfout,allhissensesin confusion.Thelastthinghesawwasthedoorofhisroombeingpulledopen,hissisterwas screaming,hismotherranoutinfrontofherinherblouse(ashissisterhadtakenoffsomeofherclothesaftershehadfaintedtomakeiteasierforherto breathe),sherantohisfather,herskirts unfastenedandslidingoneafteranothertotheground, stumblingovertheskirtsshepushedherselftohisfather,herarmsaroundhim,unitingherselfwithhimtotally-nowGregorlosthisabilitytoseeanything-herhandsbehindhisfather'sheadbegginghimtospareGregor'slife.No-onedaredtoremovetheapplelodgedinGregor'sflesh,soitremainedthereasavisiblereminderofhisinjury.Hehadsuffereditthereformorethanamonth,andhis conditionseemedseriousenoughtoremindevenhisfatherthatGregor,despitehiscurrentsadand revoltingform,wasafamilymemberwhocouldnotbetreatedasanenemy.Onthe contrary,asafamilytherewasadutytoswallowany revulsionforhimandtobepatient,justtobepatient.Becauseofhis injuries,Gregorhadlostmuchofhismobility-probably permanently.Hehadbeenreducedtothe conditionofanancientinvalidandittookhimlong,longminutestocrawlacrosshisroom-crawlingovertheceilingwasoutofthequestion-butthis deteriorationinhis conditionwasfully(inhisopinion)madeupforbythedoortothelivingroombeingleftopeneveryevening.Hegotintothehabitofcloselywatchingitforoneortwohoursbeforeitwasopenedandthen,lyinginthedarknessofhisroomwherehecouldnotbeseenfromthelivingroom,hecouldwatchthefamilyinthelightofthedinnertableandlistentotheir conversation-with everyone's permission,inaway,andthusquite differentlyfrombefore.Theynolongerheldthelively conversationsofearliertimes,ofcourse,theonesthatGregoralwaysthoughtaboutwithlongingwhenhewastiredandgettingintothedampbedinsomesmallhotelroom.Allofthemwereusuallyveryquiet nowadays.Soonafterdinner,hisfatherwouldgotosleepinhischair;hismotherandsisterwouldurgeeachothertobequiet;hismother,bentdeeplyunderthelamp,wouldsewfancy underwearforafashionshop;hissister,whohadtakenasalesjob,learned shorthandandFrenchintheeveningssothatshemightbeabletogetabetterpositionlateron. SometimeshisfatherwouldwakeupandsaytoGregor'smother"you'redoingsomuchsewingagaintoday!",asifhedidnotknowthathehadbeendozing-andthenhewouldgobacktosleepagainwhilemotherandsisterwouldexchangeatiredgrin.Withakindof stubbornness,Gregor'sfatherrefusedtotakehisuniformoffevenathome;whilehis nightgownhungunusedonitspegGregor'sfatherwouldslumberwherehewas,fullydressed,asifalwaysreadytoserveand expectingtohearthevoiceofhissuperiorevenhere.Theuniformhadnotbeennewtostartwith,butasaresultofthisitslowlybecameevenshabbierdespitetheeffortsofGregor'smotherandsistertolookafterit.Gregorwouldoftenspendthewholeeveninglookingatallthestainsonthiscoat,withitsgoldbuttonsalwayskeptpolishedandshiny,whiletheoldmaninitwouldsleep,highly uncomfortablebut peaceful.Assoonasitstruckten,Gregor'smotherwouldspeakgentlytohisfathertowakehimandtrytopersuadehimtogotobed,ashecouldn'tsleepproperlywherehewasandhereallyhadtogethissleepifhewastobeupatsixtogettowork.Butsincehehadbeeninworkhehadbecomemore obstinateandwouldalwaysinsistonstayinglongeratthetable,eventhoughhe regularlyfellasleepanditwasthenharderthanevertopersuadehimtoexchangethechairforhisbed.Then,howevermuchmotherandsisterwould importunehimwithlittle reproachesandwarningshewouldkeepslowlyshakinghisheadforaquarterofanhourwithhiseyesclosedandrefusingtogetup.Gregor'smotherwouldtugathissleeve,whisper endearmentsintohisear,Gregor'ssisterwouldleaveherworktohelphermother,butnothingwouldhaveanyeffectonhim.Hewouldjustsinkdeeperintohischair.Onlywhenthetwowomentookhimunderthearmshewouldabruptlyopenhiseyes,lookatthemoneaftertheotherandsay:"Whatalife!ThisiswhatpeaceIgetinmyoldage!"And supportedbythetwowomenhewouldlifthimselfup carefullyasifhewerecarryingthegreatestloadhimself,letthewomentakehimtothedoor,sendthemoffandcarryonbyhimselfwhileGregor'smotherwouldthrowdownherneedleandhissisterherpensothattheycouldrunafterhisfatherandcontinuebeingofhelptohim.Who,inthistiredand overworkedfamily,wouldhavehadtimetogivemore attentiontoGregorthanwas absolutely necessary?The householdbudgetbecameevensmaller;sonowthemaidwas dismissed;an enormous, thick-boned charwomanwithwhitehairthatflappedaroundherheadcameeverymorningandeveningtodotheheaviestwork; everythingelsewaslookedafterbyGregor'smotherontopofthelargeamountofsewingworkshedid.Gregorevenlearned, listeningtotheevening conversationaboutwhatpricetheyhadhopedfor,thatseveralitemsof jewellery belongingtothefamilyhadbeensold,eventhoughbothmotherandsisterhadbeenveryfondofwearingthemat functionsand celebrations.Buttheloudest complaintwasthatalthoughtheflatwasmuchtoobigfortheirpresentcircumstances,theycouldnotmoveoutofit,therewasno imaginablewayof transferringGregortothenewaddress.Hecouldseequitewell,though,thatthereweremorereasonsthan considerationforhimthatmadeit difficultforthemtomove,itwouldhavebeenquiteeasyto transporthiminanysuitablecratewithafewairholesinit;themainthingholdingthefamilybackfromtheirdecisiontomovewasmuchmoretodowiththeirtotaldespair,andthethoughtthattheyhadbeenstruckwitha misfortuneunlikeanything experiencedbyanyoneelsetheykneworwererelatedto.Theycarriedout absolutely everythingthattheworldexpectsfrompoorpeople,Gregor'sfatherbroughtbank employeestheir breakfast,hismother sacrificedherselfbywashingclothesfor strangers,hissisterranbackandforthbehindherdeskatthebehestofthe customers,buttheyjustdidnothavethestrengthtodoanymore.AndtheinjuryinGregor'sbackbegantohurtasmuchaswhenitwasnew.AftertheyhadcomebackfromtakinghisfathertobedGregor'smotherandsisterwouldnowleavetheirworkwhereitwasandsitclose together,cheektocheek;hismotherwouldpointtoGregor'sroomandsay"Closethatdoor,Grete",andthen,whenhewasinthedarkagain,theywouldsitinthenextroomandtheirtearswouldmingle,ortheywouldsimplysittherestaringdry-eyedatthetable.Gregorhardlysleptatall,eithernightorday. Sometimeshewouldthinkoftakingoverthefamily'saffairs,justlikebefore,thenexttimethedoorwasopened;hehadlong forgottenabouthisbossandthechiefclerk,buttheywouldappearagaininhis thoughts,thesalesmenandthe apprentices,thatstupidteaboy,twoorthreefriendsfromother businesses,oneofthe chambermaidsfroma provincialhotel,atendermemorythatappearedand disappearedagain,acashierfromahatshopforwhomhis attentionhadbeenseriousbuttooslow,-allofthemappearedtohim,mixedtogetherwith strangersandothershehad forgotten,butinsteadofhelpinghimandhisfamilytheywereallofthem inaccessible,andhewasgladwhenthey disappeared.Othertimeshewasnotatallinthemoodtolookafterhisfamily,hewasfilledwithsimplerageaboutthelackof attentionhewasshown,andalthoughhecouldthinkofnothinghewouldhavewanted,hemadeplansofhowhecouldgetintothepantrywherehecouldtakeallthethingshewasentitledto,evenifhewasnothungry.Gregor'ssisternolongerthoughtabouthowshecouldpleasehimbutwould hurriedlypushsomefoodorotherintohisroomwithherfootbeforesherushedouttoworkinthemorningandatmidday,andintheeveningshewouldsweepitawayagainwiththebroom, indifferentastowhetherithadbeeneatenor-moreoftenthannot-hadbeenlefttotally untouched.Shestillcleareduptheroomintheevening,butnowshecouldnothavebeenanyquickeraboutit.Smearsofdirtwereleftonthewalls,hereandtherewerelittleballsofdustandfilth.Atfirst,Gregorwentintooneoftheworstoftheseplaceswhenhissisterarrivedasareproachtoher,buthecouldhavestayedthereforweekswithouthissisterdoinganythingaboutit;shecouldseethedirtaswellashecouldbutshehadsimplydecidedtoleavehimtoit.Atthesametimeshebecametouchyinawaythatwasquitenewforherandwhicheveryoneinthefamily understood-cleaningupGregor'sroomwasforherandheralone.Gregor'smotherdidonce thoroughlycleanhisroom,andneededtouseseveral bucketfulsofwatertodoit-althoughthatmuchdampnessalsomadeGregorillandhelayflatonthecouch,bitterand immobile.Buthismotherwastobepunishedstillmoreforwhatshehaddone,ashardlyhadhissisterarrivedhomeintheeveningthanshenoticedthechangeinGregor'sroomand,highly aggrieved,ranbackintothelivingroomwhere,despitehermothersraisedand imploringhands,shebrokeinto convulsivetears.Herfather,ofcourse,wasstartledoutofhischairandthetwoparentslookedon astonishedand helpless;thenthey,too,became agitated;Gregor'sfather,standingtotherightofhismother,accusedherofnotleavingthecleaningofGregor'sroomtohissister;fromherleft,Gregor'ssisterscreamedatherthatshewasnevertocleanGregor'sroomagain;whilehismothertriedtodrawhisfather,whowasbesidehimselfwithanger,intothebedroom;hissister,quakingwithtears,thumpedonthetablewithhersmallfists;andGregorhissedinangerthatno-onehadeventhoughtofclosingthedoortosavehimthesightofthisandallitsnoise.Gregor'ssisterwas exhaustedfromgoingouttowork,andlookingafterGregorasshehaddonebeforewasevenmoreworkforher,butevensohismotherought certainlynottohavetakenherplace.Gregor,ontheotherhand,oughtnottobe neglected.Now,though,the charwomanwashere.Thiselderlywidow,witharobustbone structurethatmadeherableto withstandthehardestofthingsinherlonglife,wasn'treallyrepelledbyGregor.Justbychanceoneday,ratherthananyreal curiosity,sheopenedthedoortoGregor'sroomandfoundherselffacetofacewithhim.Hewastakentotallyby surprise,no-onewaschasinghimbuthebegantorushtoandfrowhileshejuststoodtherein amazementwithherhandscrossedinfrontofher.Fromthenonsheneverfailedtoopenthedoorslightlyeveryeveningandmorningandlookbrieflyinonhim.Atfirstshewouldcalltohimasshedidsowithwordsthatsheprobably considered friendly,suchas"comeonthen,youolddung-beetle!",or"lookattheold dung-beetlethere!"Gregornever respondedtobeingspokentointhatway,butjustremainedwherehewaswithoutmovingasifthedoorhadneverevenbeenopened.Ifonlytheyhadtoldthis charwomantocleanuphisroomeverydayinsteadoflettingherdisturbhimfornoreasonwhenevershefeltlikeit!Oneday,earlyinthemorningwhileaheavyrainstruckthe windowpanes,perhaps indicatingthatspringwascoming,shebegantospeaktohiminthatwayonceagain.Gregorwasso resentfulofitthathestartedtomovetowardher,hewasslowandinfirm,butitwaslikeakindofattack.Insteadofbeingafraid,the charwomanjustlifteduponeofthechairsfromnearthedoorandstoodtherewithhermouthopen,clearly intendingnottoclosehermouthuntilthechairinherhandhadbeenslammeddownintoGregor'sback."Aren'tyoucominganycloser,then?",sheaskedwhenGregorturnedroundagain,andshecalmlyputthechairbackinthecorner.Gregorhadalmostentirelystoppedeating.Onlyifhehappenedtofindhimselfnexttothefoodthathadbeenpreparedforhimhemighttakesomeofitintohismouthtoplaywithit,leaveitthereafewhoursandthen,moreoftenthannot,spititoutagain.Atfirsthethoughtitwasdistressatthestateofhisroomthatstoppedhimeating,buthehadsoongotusedtothechangesmadethere.Theyhadgotintothehabitofputtingthingsintothisroomthattheyhadnoroomforanywhereelse,andtherewerenowmanysuchthingsasoneoftheroomsintheflathadbeenrentedouttothree gentlemen.Theseearnest gentlemen-allthreeofthemhadfullbeards,asGregorlearnedpeeringthroughthecrackinthedooroneday-were painfully insistentonthings'beingtidy.Thismeantnotonlyintheirownroombut,sincetheyhadtakenaroominthisestablishment,intheentireflatand especiallyinthekitchen. Unnecessaryclutterwas somethingtheycouldnot tolerate, especiallyifitwasdirty.Theyhadmoreoverbroughtmostoftheirown furnishingsand equipmentwiththem.Forthisreason,manythingshadbecome superfluouswhich,althoughtheycouldnotbesold,thefamilydidnotwishtodiscard.AllthesethingsfoundtheirwayintoGregor'sroom.Thedustbinsfromthekitchenfoundtheirwayintheretoo.The charwomanwasalwaysinahurry,andanythingshecouldn'tuseforthetimebeingshewouldjustchuckinthere.He, fortunately,wouldusuallyseenomorethantheobjectandthehandthatheldit.Thewomanmostlikelymeanttofetchthethingsbackoutagainwhenshehadtimeandthe opportunity,ortothrow everythingoutinonego,butwhatactuallyhappenedwasthattheywereleftwheretheylandedwhentheyhadfirstbeenthrownunlessGregormadehiswaythroughthejunkandmovedit somewhereelse.Atfirsthemoveditbecause,withnootherroomfreewherehecouldcrawlabout,hewasforcedto,butlateronhecametoenjoyitalthoughmovingaboutinthatwaylefthimsadandtiredtodeath,andhewouldremainimmobileforhours afterwards.The gentlemenwhorentedtheroomwould sometimestaketheireveningmealathomeinthelivingroomthatwasusedby everyone,andsothedoortothisroomwasoftenkeptclosedintheevening.ButGregorfounditeasytogiveuphavingthedooropen,hehad,afterall,oftenfailedtomakeuseofitwhenitwasopenand,withoutthefamilyhavingnoticedit,laininhisroominitsdarkestcorner.Onetime,though,the charwomanleftthedoortothelivingroomslightlyopen,anditremainedopenwhenthe gentlemenwhorentedtheroomcameinintheeveningandthelightwasputon.Theysatupatthetablewhere, formerly,Gregorhadtakenhismealswithhisfatherandmother,theyunfoldedthe serviettesandpickeduptheirknivesandforks.Gregor'smother immediatelyappearedinthedoorwaywithadishofmeatandsoonbehindhercamehissisterwithadishpiledhighwith potatoes.Thefoodwas steaming,andfilledtheroomwithitssmell.The gentlemenbentoverthedishessetinfrontofthemasiftheywantedtotestthefoodbeforeeatingit,andthe gentlemaninthemiddle,whoseemedtocountasan authorityfortheothertwo,didindeedcutoffapieceofmeatwhileitwasstillinitsdish,clearlywishingto establishwhetheritwas sufficientlycookedorwhetheritshouldbesentbacktothekitchen.Itwastohis satisfaction,andGregor'smotherandsister,whohadbeenlookingon anxiously,begantobreatheagainandsmiled.Thefamily themselvesateinthekitchen. Nonetheless,Gregor'sfathercameintothelivingroombeforehewentintothekitchen,bowedoncewithhiscapinhishandanddidhisroundofthetable.The gentlemenstoodasone,andmumbled somethingintotheirbeards.Then,oncetheywerealone,theyateinnearperfectsilence.Itseemed remarkabletoGregorthataboveallthevariousnoisesofeatingtheirchewingteethcouldstillbeheard,asiftheyhadwantedtoshowGregorthatyouneedteethinordertoeatanditwasnotpossibletoperformanythingwithjawsthatare toothlesshowevernicetheymightbe."I'dliketoeat something",saidGregor anxiously,"butnotanythinglikethey'reeating.Theydofeed themselves.AndhereIam,dying!" Throughoutallthistime,Gregorcouldnotrememberhavingheardtheviolinbeingplayed,butthiseveningitbegantobeheardfromthekitchen.Thethree gentlemenhadalreadyfinishedtheirmeal,theoneinthemiddlehadproduceda newspaper,givenapagetoeachoftheothers,andnowtheyleantbackintheirchairsreadingthemandsmoking.Whentheviolinbeganplayingtheybecame attentive,stoodupandwentontip-toeovertothedoorofthehallwaywheretheystoodpressedagainsteachother.Someonemusthaveheardtheminthekitchen,asGregor'sfathercalledout:"Istheplayingperhaps unpleasantforthe gentlemen?Wecanstopitstraightaway.""Onthe contrary",saidthemiddle gentleman,"wouldtheyoungladynotliketocomeinandplayforushereintheroom,whereitis,afterall,muchmorecosyand comfortable?""Ohyes,we'dloveto",calledbackGregor'sfatherasifhehadbeentheviolinplayerhimself.The gentlemensteppedbackintotheroomandwaited.Gregor'sfathersoonappearedwiththemusicstand,hismotherwiththemusicandhissisterwiththeviolin.Shecalmlyprepared everythingforhertobeginplaying;hisparents,whohadneverrentedaroomoutbeforeand thereforeshowedan exaggeratedcourtesytowardsthethree gentlemen,didnotevendaretositontheirownchairs;hisfatherleantagainstthedoorwithhisrighthandpushedinbetweentwobuttonsonhisuniformcoat;hismother,though,wasofferedaseatbyoneofthe gentlemenandsat-leavingthechairwherethe gentlemanhappenedtohaveplacedit-outofthewayinacorner.Hissisterbegantoplay;fatherandmotherpaidclose attention,oneoneachside,tothe movementsofherhands.Drawninbytheplaying,Gregorhaddaredtocomeforwardalittleandalreadyhadhisheadinthelivingroom.Before,hehadtakengreatprideinhow consideratehewasbutnowithardlyoccurredtohimthathehadbecomeso thoughtlessabouttheothers.What'smore,therewasnowallthemorereasontokeephimselfhiddenashewascoveredinthedustthatlay everywhereinhisroomandflewupatthe slightest movement;hecarriedthreads,hairs,andremainsoffoodaboutonhisbackandsides;hewasmuchtoo indifferentto everythingnowtolayonhisbackandwipehimselfonthecarpetlikehehadusedtodoseveraltimesaday.Anddespitethis condition,hewasnottooshytomoveforwardalittleontothe immaculatefloorofthelivingroom.No-onenoticedhim,though.Thefamilywastotally preoccupiedwiththeviolinplaying;atfirst,thethree gentlemenhadputtheirhandsintheirpocketsandcomeupfartooclosebehindthemusicstandtolookatallthenotesbeingplayed,andtheymusthave disturbedGregor'ssister,butsoon,incontrastwiththefamily,theywithdrewbacktothewindowwiththeirheadssunkandtalkingtoeachotherathalfvolume,andtheystayedbythewindowwhileGregor'sfatherobservedthem anxiously.Itreallynowseemedveryobviousthattheyhadexpectedtohearsome beautifulor entertainingviolinplayingbuthadbeen disappointed,thattheyhadhadenoughofthewhole performanceanditwasonlynowoutof politenessthattheyallowedtheirpeacetobe disturbed.Itwas especially unnerving,thewaytheyallblewthesmokefromtheir cigarettesupwardsfromtheirmouthandnoses.YetGregor'ssisterwasplayingso beautifully.Herfacewasleanttooneside, followingthelinesofmusicwithacarefuland melancholy expression.Gregorcrawledalittlefurtherforward,keepinghisheadclosetothegroundsothathecouldmeethereyesifthechancecame.Washeananimalifmusiccould captivatehimso?Itseemedtohimthathewasbeingshownthewaytotheunknown nourishmenthehadbeenyearningfor.Hewas determinedtomakehiswayforwardtohissisterandtugatherskirttoshowhershemightcomeintohisroomwithherviolin,asno-one appreciatedherplayinghereasmuchashewould.Heneverwantedtoletheroutofhisroom,notwhilehelived,anyway;hisshocking appearanceshould,foronce,beofsomeusetohim;hewantedtobeateverydoorofhisroomatoncetohissandspitatthe attackers;hissistershouldnotbeforcedtostaywithhim,though,butstayofherownfreewill;shewouldsitbesidehimonthecouchwithherearbentdowntohimwhilehetoldherhowhehadalwaysintendedtosendhertothe conservatory,howhewouldhavetoldeveryoneaboutitlast Christmas-had Christmasreallycomeandgonealready?-ifthis misfortunehadn'tgotintheway,andrefusetoletanyonedissuadehimfromit.Onhearingallthis,hissisterwouldbreakoutintearsofemotion,andGregorwouldclimbuptohershoulderandkissherneck,which,sinceshehadbeengoingouttowork,shehadkeptfreewithoutanynecklaceorcollar."Mr.Samsa!",shoutedthemiddle gentlemantoGregor'sfather, pointing,withoutwastinganymorewords,withhis forefingeratGregorasheslowlymovedforward.Theviolinwentsilent,themiddleofthethree gentlemenfirstsmiledathistwofriends,shakinghishead,andthenlookedbackatGregor.Hisfatherseemedtothinkitmore importanttocalmthethree gentlemenbeforedrivingGregorout,eventhoughtheywerenotatallupsetandseemedtothinkGregorwasmore entertainingthantheviolinplayinghadbeen.Herusheduptothemwithhisarmsspreadoutand attemptedtodrivethembackintotheirroomatthesametimeastryingtoblocktheirviewofGregorwithhisbody.Nowtheydidbecomealittleannoyed,anditwasnotclearwhetheritwashisfather's behaviourthatannoyedthemorthedawning realisationthattheyhadhada neighbourlikeGregorinthenextroomwithoutknowingit.TheyaskedGregor'sfatherfor explanations,raisedtheirarmslikehehad,tugged excitedlyattheirbeardsandmovedbacktowardstheirroomonlyveryslowly. MeanwhileGregor'ssisterhadovercomethedespairshehadfallenintowhenherplayingwassuddenly interrupted.Shehadletherhandsdropandletviolinandbowhanglimplyforawhilebut continuedtolookatthemusicasifstillplaying,butthenshesuddenlypulledherself together,laythe instrumentonhermother'slapwhostillsat laboriously strugglingforbreathwhereshewas,andranintothenextroomwhich,underpressurefromherfather,thethree gentlemenweremorequicklymovingtoward.Underhissister's experiencedhand,thepillowsandcoversonthebedsflewupandwereputintoorderandshehadalreadyfinishedmakingthebedsandslippedoutagainbeforethethree gentlemenhadreachedtheroom.Gregor'sfatherseemedsoobsessedwithwhathewasdoingthatheforgotalltherespectheowedtohistenants.Heurgedthemandpressedthemuntil,whenhewasalreadyatthedooroftheroom,themiddleofthethree gentlemenshoutedlikethunderandstampedhisfootandtherebybroughtGregor'sfathertoahalt."Ideclarehereandnow",hesaid,raisinghishandandglancingatGregor'smotherandsistertogaintheir attentiontoo,"thatwithregardtothe repugnant conditionsthatprevailinthisflatandwiththisfamily"-herehelookedbrieflybut decisivelyatthefloor-"Igive immediatenoticeonmyroom.ForthedaysthatIhavebeenlivinghereIwill,ofcourse,paynothingatall,onthecontraryIwillconsiderwhethertoproceedwithsomekindofactionfordamagesfromyou,andbelievemeitwouldbeveryeasytosetoutthegroundsforsuchanaction."Hewassilentandlookedstraightaheadasifwaitingfor something.Andindeed,histwofriendsjoinedinwiththewords:"Andwealsogive immediatenotice."Withthat,hetookholdofthedoorhandleandslammedthedoor.Gregor'sfather staggeredbacktohisseat,feelinghiswaywithhishands,andfellintoit;itlookedasifhewas stretchinghimselfoutforhisusualeveningnapbutfromthe uncontrolledwayhisheadkeptnoddingitcouldbeseenthathewasnotsleepingatall. Throughoutallthis,Gregorhadlainstillwherethethree gentlemenhadfirstseenhim.Hisdisappointmentatthefailureofhisplan,andperhapsalsobecausehewasweakfromhunger,madeit impossibleforhimtomove.Hewassurethateveryonewouldturnonhimanymoment,andhewaited.Hewasnotevenstartledoutofthisstatewhentheviolinonhismother'slapfellfromher tremblingfingersandlandedloudlyonthefloor."Father,Mother",saidhissister,hittingthetablewithherhandas introduction,"wecan'tcarryonlikethis.Maybeyoucan'tseeit,butIcan.Idon'twanttocallthismonstermybrother,allIcansayis:wehavetotryandgetridofit.We'vedoneallthat'shumanlypossibletolookafteritandbepatient,Idon'tthinkanyonecouldaccuseusofdoinganythingwrong.""She's absolutelyright",saidGregor'sfathertohimself.Hismother,whostillhadnothadtimetocatchherbreath,begantocoughdully,herhandheldoutinfrontofherandaderanged expressioninhereyes.Gregor'ssisterrushedtohismotherandputherhandonher forehead.HerwordsseemedtogiveGregor'sfathersomemoredefiniteideas.Hesatupright,playedwithhisuniformcapbetweentheplatesleftbythethree gentlemenaftertheirmeal,and occasionallylookeddownatGregorashelaythere immobile."Wehavetotryandgetridofit",saidGregor'ssister,nowspeakingonlytoherfather,ashermotherwastoooccupiedwithcoughingtolisten,"it'llbethedeathofbothofyou,Icanseeitcoming.Wecan'tallworkashardaswehavetoandthencomehometobetorturedlikethis,wecan'tendureit.Ican'tendureitanymore."Andshebrokeoutsoheavilyintearsthattheyfloweddownthefaceofhermother,andshewipedthemawaywith mechanicalhand movements."Mychild",saidherfatherwithsympathyandobviousunderstanding,"whatarewetodo?"Hissisterjustshruggedher shouldersasasignofthe helplessnessandtearsthathadtakenholdofher, displacingherearlier certainty."Ifhecouldjust understandus",saidhisfatheralmostasa question;hissistershookherhand vigorouslythroughhertearsasasignthatofthattherewasno question."Ifhecouldjust understandus",repeatedGregor'sfather,closinghiseyesin acceptanceofhissister's certaintythatthatwasquite impossible,"thenperhapswecouldcometosomekindof arrangementwithhim.Butasitis...""It'sgottogo",shoutedhissister,"that'stheonlyway,Father.You'vegottogetridoftheideathatthat'sGregor.We'veonlyharmed ourselvesby believingitforsolong.HowcanthatbeGregor?IfitwereGregorhewouldhaveseenlongagothatit'snotpossibleforhumanbeingstolivewithananimallikethatandhewouldhavegoneofhisownfreewill.Wewouldn'thaveabrotheranymore,then,butwecouldcarryonwithourlivesandrememberhimwithrespect.Asitisthisanimalis persecutingus,it'sdrivenoutourtenants,it obviouslywantstotakeoverthewholeflatandforceustosleeponthestreets.Father,look,justlook",shesuddenly screamed,"he'sstartingagain!"Inheralarm,whichwastotallybeyondGregor'scomprehension,hissistereven abandonedhismotherasshepushedherself vigorouslyoutofherchairasifmorewillingto sacrificeherownmotherthanstayanywherenearGregor.Sherushedovertobehindherfather,whohadbecomeexcitedmerelybecauseshewasandstooduphalfraisinghishandsinfrontofGregor'ssisterasiftoprotecther.ButGregorhadhadno intentionof frighteninganyone,leastofallhissister.Allhehaddonewasbegintoturnroundsothathecouldgobackintohisroom,althoughthatwasinitselfquite startlingashis pain-wracked conditionmeantthatturningroundrequiredagreatdealofeffortandhewasusinghisheadtohelphimselfdoit, repeatedlyraisingitandstrikingitagainstthefloor.Hestoppedandlookedround.Theyseemedtohaverealisedhisgood intentionandhadonlybeenalarmedbriefly.Nowtheyalllookedathiminunhappysilence.Hismotherlayinherchairwithherlegs stretchedoutandpressedagainsteachother,hereyesnearlyclosedwith exhaustion;hissistersatnexttohisfatherwithherarmsaroundhisneck."Maybenowthey'llletmeturnround",thoughtGregorandwentbacktowork.Hecouldnothelppantingloudlywiththeeffortandhad sometimestostopandtakearest.No-onewasmakinghimrushanymore, everythingwasleftuptohim.Assoonashehadfinallyfinishedturningroundhebegantomovestraightahead.Hewasamazedatthegreatdistancethat separatedhimfromhisroom,andcouldnot understandhowhehadcoveredthatdistanceinhisweakstatealittlewhilebeforeandalmostwithoutnoticingit.He concentratedoncrawlingasfastashecouldandhardlynoticedthattherewasnotaword,notanycry,fromhisfamilytodistracthim.Hedidnotturnhisheaduntilhehadreachedthedoorway.Hedidnotturnitallthewayroundashefelthisneckbecomingstiff,butitwas nonethelessenoughtoseethatnothingbehindhimhadchanged,onlyhissisterhadstoodup.Withhislastglancehesawthathismotherhadnowfallen completelyasleep.Hewashardlyinsidehisroombeforethedoorwas hurriedlyshut,boltedandlocked.ThesuddennoisebehindGregorsostartledhimthathislittlelegs collapsedunderhim.Itwashissisterwhohadbeeninsomuchofarush.Shehadbeenstandingtherewaitingandsprungforwardlightly,Gregorhadnotheardhercomingatall,andassheturnedthekeyinthelockshesaidloudlytoherparents"Atlast!"."Whatnow,then?",Gregoraskedhimselfashelookedroundinthe darkness.Hesoonmadethe discoverythathecouldnolongermoveatall.Thiswasnosurprisetohim,itseemedratherthatbeingabletoactuallymovearoundonthosespindlylittlelegsuntilthenwas unnatural.Healsofelt relatively comfortable.Itistruethathisentirebodywasaching,butthepainseemedtobeslowlygettingweakerandweakerandwouldfinally disappear altogether.Hecouldalreadyhardlyfeelthedecayedappleinhisbackortheinflamedareaaroundit,whichwasentirelycoveredinwhitedust.Hethoughtbackofhisfamilywithemotionandlove.Ifitwas possible,hefeltthathemustgoawayevenmorestronglythanhissister.Heremainedinthisstateofemptyandpeaceful ruminationuntilheheardtheclocktowerstrikethreeinthemorning.Hewatchedasitslowlybegantogetlight everywhereoutsidethewindowtoo.Then,withouthiswillingit,hisheadsankdown completely,andhislastbreathflowedweaklyfromhis nostrils.Whenthecleanercameinearlyinthemorning-they'doftenaskedhernottokeepslammingthedoorsbutwithherstrengthandinherhurryshestilldid,sothateveryoneintheflatknewwhenshe'darrivedandfromthenonitwas impossibletosleepinpeace-shemadeherusualbrieflookinonGregorandatfirstfoundnothingspecial.Shethoughthewaslayingtheresostillonpurpose,playingthemartyr;she attributedallpossible understandingtohim.Shehappenedtobeholdingthelongbroominherhand,soshetriedtotickleGregorwithitfromthedoorway.Whenshehadnosuccesswiththatshetriedtomakeanuisanceofherselfandpokedathimalittle,andonlywhenshefoundshecouldshovehimacrossthefloorwithno resistanceatalldidshestarttopay attention.Shesoonrealisedwhathadreally happened,openedhereyeswide,whistledtoherself,butdidnotwastetimetoyankopenthebedroomdoorsandshoutloudlyintothedarknessofthe bedrooms:"Comeand'avealookatthis,it'sdead,justlyingthere,stonedead!"Mr.andMrs.Samsasatuprightthereintheirmarriagebedandhadtomakeanefforttogetovertheshockcausedbythecleanerbeforetheycouldgraspwhatshewassaying.Butthen,eachfromhisownside,theyhurriedoutofbed.Mr.Samsathrewtheblanketoverhis shoulders,Mrs.Samsajustcameoutinher nightdress;andthatishowtheywentintoGregor'sroom.OnthewaytheyopenedthedoortothelivingroomwhereGretehadbeensleepingsincethethree gentlemenhadmovedin;shewasfullydressedasifshehadneverbeenasleep,andthepalenessofherfaceseemedtoconfirmthis."Dead?",askedMrs.Samsa,lookingatthe charwoman enquiringly,eventhoughshecouldhavecheckedforherselfandcouldhaveknownitevenwithout checking."That'swhatIsaid",repliedthecleaner,andtoproveitshegaveGregor'sbodyanothershovewiththebroom,sendingitsidewaysacrossthefloor.Mrs.Samsamadeamovementasifshewantedtoholdbackthebroom,butdidnotcompleteit."Nowthen",saidMr.Samsa,"let'sgivethankstoGodforthat".Hecrossedhimself,andthethreewomenfollowedhisexample.Grete,whohadnottakenhereyesfromthecorpse,said:"Justlookhowthinhewas.Hedidn'teatanythingforsolong.Thefoodcameoutagainjustthesameaswhenitwentin".Gregor'sbodywasindeed completelydriedupandflat,theyhadnotseenituntilthen,butnowhewasnotlifteduponhislittlelegs,nordidhedoanythingtomakethemlookaway."Grete,comewithusinhereforalittlewhile",saidMrs.Samsawithapainedsmile,andGretefollowedherparentsintothebedroombutnotwithoutlookingbackatthebody.Thecleanershutthedoorandopenedthewindowwide.Althoughitwasstillearlyinthemorningthefreshairhad somethingofwarmthmixedinwithit.ItwasalreadytheendofMarch,afterall.Thethree gentlemensteppedoutoftheirroomandlookedroundin amazementfortheir breakfasts;theyhadbeen forgottenabout."Whereisour breakfast?",themiddle gentlemanaskedthecleaner irritably.ShejustputherfingeronherlipsandmadeaquickandsilentsigntothementhattheymightliketocomeintoGregor'sroom.Theydidso,andstoodaroundGregor'scorpsewiththeirhandsinthepocketsoftheir well-worncoats.Itwasnowquitelightintheroom.ThenthedoorofthebedroomopenedandMr.Samsaappearedinhisuniformwithhiswifeononearmandhisdaughterontheother.Allofthemhadbeencryingalittle;Gretenowandthenpressedherfaceagainstherfather'sarm."Leavemyhome.Now!",saidMr.Samsa, indicatingthedoorandwithoutlettingthewomenfromhim."Whatdoyoumean?",askedthemiddleofthethree gentlemensomewhat disconcerted,andhesmiledsweetly.Theothertwoheldtheirhandsbehindtheirbacksand continuallyrubbedthemtogetheringleeful anticipationofaloudquarrelwhichcouldonlyendintheirfavour."ImeanjustwhatIsaid",answeredMr.Samsa,and,withhistwo companions,wentinastraightlinetowardstheman.Atfirst,hestoodtherestill,lookingatthegroundasifthecontentsofhisheadwere rearranging themselvesintonew positions. "Alright,we'llgothen",hesaid,andlookedupatMr.Samsaasifhehadbeensuddenlyovercomewithhumilityandwanted permissionagainfromMr.Samsaforhis decision.Mr.Samsamerelyopenedhiseyeswideandbrieflynoddedtohimseveraltimes.Atthat,andwithoutdelay,themanactuallydidtakelongstridesintothefronthallway;histwofriendshadstoppedrubbingtheirhandssometimebeforeandhadbeen listeningtowhatwasbeingsaid.NowtheyjumpedoffaftertheirfriendasiftakenwithasuddenfearthatMr.Samsamightgointothehallwayinfrontofthemandbreakthe connectionwiththeirleader.Oncethere,allthreetooktheirhatsfromthestand,tooktheirsticksfromtheholder,bowedwithoutawordandleftthe premises.Mr.Samsaandthetwowomenfollowedthemoutontothelanding;buttheyhadhadnoreasontomistrustthemen's intentionsandastheyleanedoverthelandingtheysawhowthethree gentlemenmadeslowbutsteadyprogressdownthemanysteps.Astheyturnedthecorneroneachfloorthey disappearedandwouldreappearafewmomentslater;thefurtherdowntheywent,themorethattheSamsafamilylostinterestinthem;whena butcher'sboy,proudofposturewithhistrayonhishead,passedthemonhiswayupandcamenearerthantheywere,Mr.Samsaandthewomencameawayfromthelandingandwent,asif relieved,backintotheflat.Theydecidedthebestwaytomakeuseofthatdaywasfor relaxationandtogoforawalk;notonlyhadtheyearnedabreakfromworkbuttheywereinseriousneedofit.Sotheysatatthetableandwrotethreelettersofexcusal,Mr.Samsatohis employers,Mrs.Samsatoher contractorandGretetoher principal.Thecleanercameinwhiletheywerewritingtotellthemshewasgoing,she'dfinishedherworkforthatmorning.Thethreeofthematfirstjustnoddedwithoutlookingupfromwhattheywerewriting,anditwasonlywhenthecleanerstilldidnotseemtowanttoleavethattheylookedupin irritation."Well?",askedMr.Samsa.The charwomanstoodinthedoorwaywithasmileonherfaceasifshehadsome tremendousgoodnewstoreport,butwouldonlydoitifshewasclearlyaskedto.Thealmostverticallittleostrichfeatheronherhat,whichhadbeenasourceof irritationtoMr.Samsaallthetimeshehadbeenworkingforthem,swayedgentlyinall directions."Whatisityouwantthen?",askedMrs.Samsa,whomthecleanerhadthemostrespectfor."Yes",she answered,andbrokeintoafriendlylaughthatmadeherunabletospeakstraightaway,"wellthen,thatthinginthere,youneedn'tworryabouthowyou'regoingtogetridofit.That'sallbeensortedout."Mrs.SamsaandGretebentdownovertheirlettersasifintenton continuingwithwhattheywerewriting;Mr.Samsasawthatthecleanerwantedtostart describing everythingindetailbut,with outstretchedhand,hemadeitquiteclearthatshewasnotto.So,asshewas preventedfromtellingthemallaboutit,shesuddenly rememberedwhatahurryshewasinand,clearlypeeved,calledout"Cheeriothen, everyone",turnedroundsharplyandleft,slammingthedoorterriblyasshewent."Tonightshegetssacked",saidMr.Samsa,buthereceivednoreplyfromeitherhiswifeorhisdaughterasthe charwomanseemedtohave destroyedthepeacetheyhadonlyjustgained.Theygotupandwentovertothewindowwheretheyremainedwiththeirarmsaroundeachother.Mr.Samsatwistedroundinhischairtolookatthemandsattherewatchingforawhile.Thenhecalledout:"Comehere,then.Let'sforgetaboutallthatoldstuff,shallwe.Comeandgivemeabitof attention".Thetwowomen immediatelydidashesaid,hurryingovertohimwheretheykissedhimandhuggedhimandthentheyquicklyfinishedtheirletters.Afterthat,thethreeofthemlefttheflat together,whichwas somethingtheyhadnotdoneformonths,andtookthetramouttotheopencountryoutsidethetown.Theyhadthetram,filledwithwarm sunshine,allto themselves.Leantback comfortablyontheirseats,they discussedtheir prospectsandfoundthatoncloser examinationtheywerenotatallbad-untilthentheyhadneveraskedeachotherabouttheirworkbutallthreehadjobswhichwereverygoodandheld particularlygoodpromiseforthefuture.Thegreatest improvementforthetimebeing,ofcourse,wouldbeachievedquiteeasilybymovinghouse;whattheyneedednowwasaflatthatwassmallerandcheaperthanthecurrentonewhichhadbeenchosenbyGregor,onethatwasinabetterlocationand,mostofall,more practical.Allthetime,Gretewasbecoming livelier.Withalltheworrytheyhadbeenhavingoflatehercheekshadbecomepale,but,whiletheyweretalking,Mr.andMrs.Samsawerestruck,almostsimultaneously,withthethoughtofhowtheirdaughterwas blossomingintoawellbuiltand beautifulyounglady.Theybecamequieter.Justfromeachother'sglanceandalmostwithoutknowingittheyagreedthatitwouldsoonbetimetofindagoodmanforher.And,asifin confirmationoftheirnewdreamsandgood intentions,assoonastheyreachedtheir destinationGretewasthefirsttogetupandstretchoutheryoungbody.