Page 157 - the-trial

ways look. But the deputy director did not notice this at all,
or if he did notice it it only raised his spirits, he frequent-
ly laughed out loud, one time he clearly embarrassed the
manufacturer when he raised an objection in a witty way
but drew him immediately back out of his embarrassment
by commenting adversely on himself, and finally invited
him into his office where they could bring the matter to its
conclusion. “It’s a very important matter,” said the manu-
facturer. “I understand that completely. And I’m sure the
chief clerk …” even as he said this he was actually speaking
only to the manufacturer “will be very glad to have us take
it off his hands. This is something that needs calm consid-
eration. But he seems to be over-burdened today, there are
even some people in the room outside who’ve been wait-
ing there for hours for him.” K. still had enough control of
himself to turn away from the deputy director and direct
his friendly, albeit stiff, smile only at the manufacturer, he
made no other retaliation, bent down slightly and support-
ed himself with both hands on his desk like a clerk, and
watched as the two gentlemen, still talking, took the papers
from his desk and disappeared into the manager’s office. In
the doorway, the manufacturer turned and said he wouldn’t
make his farewell with K. just yet, he would of course let the
chief clerk know about the success of his discussions but he
also had a little something to tell him about.
At last, K. was by himself. It did not enter his head to
show anyone else into his office and only became vaguely
aware of how nice it was that the people outside thought
he was still negotiating with the manufacturer and, for this

1 The Trial