Page 113 - the-trial

his uncle,who had forgotten all his rush and excitement as
he read the letter, and seemed to be about to read it again.
“Yes, Uncle,” said K., “it is true.” “True!” called out his un-
cle. “What is true? How can this be true? What sort of trial
is it? Not a criminal trial, I hope?” “It’s a criminal trial,” an-
swered K. “And you sit quietly here while you’ve got a
criminal trial round your neck?” shouted his uncle, getting
ever louder. “The more calm I am, the better it will be for
the outcome,” said K. in a tired voice, “don’t worry.” “How
can I help worrying?!” shouted his uncle, “Josef, my Dear
Josef, think about yourself, about your family, think about
our good name! Up till now, you’ve always been our pride,
don’t now become our disgrace. I don’t like the way you’re
behaving,” he said, looking at K. with his head at an angle,
“that’s not how an innocent man behaves when he’s accused
of something, not if he’s still got any strength in him. Just
tell me what it’s all about so that I can help you. It’s some-
thing to do with the bank, I take it?” “No,” said K. as he
stood up, “and you’re speaking too loud, Uncle, I expect one
of the staff is listening at the door and I find that rather un-
pleasant. It’s best if we go somewhere else, then I can answer
all your questions, as far as I can. And I know very well that
I have to account to the family for what I do.” “You certain-
ly do!” his uncle shouted, “Quite right, you do. Now just get
a move on, Josef, hurry up now!” “I still have a few docu-
ments I need to prepare,” said K., and, using the intercom,
he summoned his deputy who entered a few moments later.
K.’s uncle, still angry and excited, gestured with his hand to
show that K. had summoned him, even though there was no

11 The Trial