Page 122 - the-trial

can see that Dr. Huld is so ill that he can’t discuss any mat-
ters at all.” It was probably just for the sake of convenience
that she had repeated the words spoken by K.’s uncle, but an
onlooker might even have perceived it as mocking him and
he, of course, jumped up as if he had just been stabbed. “You
damned … ,” in the first gurglings of his excitement his
words could hardly be understood, K. was startled even
though he had been expecting something of the sort and
ran to his uncle with the intention, no doubt, of closing his
mouth with both his hands. Fortunately, though, behind
the girl, the invalid raised himself up, K.’s uncle made an
ugly face as if swallowing something disgusting and then,
somewhat calmer, said, “We have naturally not lost our
senses, not yet; if what I am asking for were not possible I
would not be asking for it. Now please, go!” The carer stood
up straight by the bed directly facing K.’s uncle, K. thought
he noticed that with one hand she was stroking the lawyer’s
hand. “You can say anything in front of Leni,” said the in-
valid, in a tone that was unmistakably imploring. “It’s not
my business,” said K.’s uncle, “and it’s not my secrets.” And
he twisted himself round as if wanting to go into no more
negotiations but giving himself a little more time to think.
“Whose business is it then?” asked the lawyer in an exhaust-
ed voice as he leant back again. “My nephew’s,” said K.’s
uncle, “and I’ve brought him along with me.” And he intro-
duced him, “Chief Clerk Josef K.” “Oh!” said the invalid,
now with much more life in him, and reached out his hand
towards K. “Do forgive me, I didn’t notice you there at all.”
Then he then said to his carer, “Leni, go,” stretching his

1 1