The Door

by Magda Szabó

“People who don’t know you wouldn’t believe how clueless you are,” she continued, “though I tell you again and again. You think life goes on for ever, and that it would be worth having if it did. You think there’ll always be someone to cook and clean for you, a plate full of food, paper to scribble on, the master to love you; and everyone will live for eternity, like a fairy tale; and the only problem you might encounter is bad things written about you in the papers, which I’m sure is a terrible disgrace, but then why did you choose such a low trade, where any bandit can pour shit over you? God knows how you got yourself a name. You’re not very bright, and you know nothing about people.