Page 148 - the-trial

ably, but even they have not in any way refused to help. So
all in all, the results are very encouraging, only you should
certainly not draw any particular conclusions as all prelim-
inary proceedings begin in the same way and it was only the
way they developed further that would show what the value
of these preliminary proceedings has been. Anyway, noth-
ing has been lost yet, and if we can succeed in getting the
office director, despite everything, on our side and several
actions have been undertaken to this end then everything is
a clean wound, as a surgeon would say, and we can wait for
the results with some comfort.
When he started talking on in this way the lawyer was
quite tireless. He went through it all again every time K.
went to see him. There was always some progress, but he
could never be told what sort of progress it was. The first
set of documents to be submitted were being worked on but
still not ready, which usually turned out to be a great advan-
tage the next time K. went to see him as the earlier occasion
would have been a very bad time to put them in, which they
could not then have known. If K., stupefied from all this
talking, ever pointed out that even considering all these dif-
ficulties progress was very slow, the lawyer would object
that progress was not slow at all, but that they might have
progressed far further if K. had come to him at the right
time. But he had come to him late and that lateness would
bring still further difficulties, and not only where time was
concerned. The only welcome interruption during these
visits was always when Leni contrived to bring the lawyer
his tea while K. was there. Then she would stand behind K.

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