Page 135 - the-trial

Chapter Seven

Lawyer Manufacturer

Painter

ne winter morning snow was falling in the dull light
Ooutside K. was sitting in his office, already extremely
tired despite the early hour. He had told the servitor he was
engaged in a major piece of work and none of the junior
staff should be allowed in to see him, so he would not be
disturbed by them at least. But instead of working he turned
round in his chair, slowly moved various items around his
desk, but then, without being aware of it, he lay his arm
stretched out on the desk top and sat there immobile with
his head sunk down on his chest.
He was no longer able to get the thought of the trial out
of his head. He had often wondered whether it might not be
a good idea to work out a written defence and hand it in to
the court. It would contain a short description of his life and
explain why he had acted the way he had at each event that
was in any way important, whether he now considered he
had acted well or ill, and his reasons for each. There was no
doubt of the advantages a written defence of this sort would
have over relying on the lawyer, who was anyway not with-
out his shortcomings. K. had no idea what actions the lawyer

1 The Trial