Page 123 - the-trial

hand out to her as if this were a farewell that would have to
last for a long time. This time the girl offered no resistance.
“So you,” he finally said to K.’s uncle, who had also calmed
down and stepped closer, “you haven’t come to visit me be-
cause I’m ill but you’ve come on business.” The lawyer now
looked so much stronger that it seemed the idea of being
visited because he was ill had somehow made him weak, he
remained supporting himself of one elbow, which must
have been rather tiring, and continually pulled at a lock of
hair in the middle of his beard. “You already look much bet-
ter,” said K.’s uncle, “now that that witch has gone outside.”
He interrupted himself, whispered, “I bet you she’s listen-
ing!” and sprang over to the door. But behind the door there
was no-one, K.’s uncle came back not disappointed, as her
not listening seemed to him worse than if she had been, but
probably somewhat embittered. “You’re mistaken about
her,” said the lawyer, but did nothing more to defend her;
perhaps that was his way of indicating that she did not need
defending. But in a tone that was much more committed he
went on, “As far as your nephew’s affairs are concerned, this
will be an extremely difficult undertaking and I’d count
myself lucky if my strength lasted out long enough for it;
I’m greatly afraid it won’t do, but anyway I don’t want to
leave anything untried; if I don’t last out you can always get
somebody else. To be honest, this matters interests me too
much, and I can’t bring myself to give up the chance of tak-
ing some part in it. If my heart does totally give out then at
least it will have found a worthy affair to fail in.” K. believed
he understood not a word of this entire speech, he looked at

1 The Trial