From the moment he knew that a little embryo was hidden inside it, his wife’s belly became sacred to him, more precious than anything in the world. It seemed to him to have a life of its own — apart from the rest of her body — which needed special care and attention. If it were possible he would have carried it around with him everywhere, this sacred belly, to see that no harm befell it. Whenever he thought of his wife now, whether she was there or not, he would concentrate exclusively on the part of her body that housed the child, the marvellous creation of his and hers and Mother Nature’s, who did not yet exist and who existed nevertheless. And at the same time he would reflect with awe on the holiness of women, who had been chosen to bear and give birth to mankind. And not human women only, but the entire female sex of every living creature on the face of the earth — they too were holy.

Without thinking he put out his hand and stroked his wife on her belly. ‘What do you think, my dear, a boy or a girl?’

Thea gave him a mocking look and said teasingly, ‘Nothing! I can get rid of it too, if I want to. Who’s to stop me?’

‘You wouldn’t do such a thing; I know you wouldn’t.’

‘How do you know I wouldn’t? What makes you so sure? If I want to I will — and if you think it’s such a pleasure, then carry it around yourself for another eight months!’

‘No, no!’ exclaimed Gurdweill, deathly pale. ‘That’s impossible! You’re just teasing me. You can’t be serious. And if you do it, then …’

Gurdweill did not finish the sentence. Nor did he know himself what would happen ‘then’. He stood up and added: ‘Please stop talking nonsense, dearest. Why say such things when you don’t really mean them?’

Thea smiled nastily. She appeared to reconsider, stroked her husband under the chin as if he were a baby, and said, ‘Don’t get so excited, little one. Perhaps I’ll leave it after all … we’ll see …’

And after a moment: ‘My parents invited me round this evening. You too, rabbit. I didn’t feel like going, so I said no. But perhaps Poldy will come here at about half past nine. Are you glad I refused the invitation?’

‘Yes, we can go there another time. Tomorrow. This evening I’d rather stay at home alone with you.’

Thea suddenly felt bored. The evening stretched before her, long and empty. There was nowhere to go. The cinemas and cafés were all closed, and there was no chance of meeting anyone. Everyone was either at home with his family, or dining out with relatives or friends.

Thea seated herself on the chair that her husband had just vacated, and pulled him down on her knees.