We hear for the second time, ‘The Protecting Veil’ by John Tavener.Greta is playing. The family respond – they are drawn to the music and move their chairs around her. They move to the table to eat a Christmas meal (these are both impressions of what the music means to Gregor – music from his past life – from yesterday).

Gregor is drawn to the music. He enters the room.

As he does so, there is a knock at the door. The lodgers have returned – they have changed their minds. Gregor is concealed behind the chairs but the lodgers see him. They are disgusted and leave, promising that they will report what they have seen to the authorities.