Page 164 - the-trial

from a lad like that. Still, it’s up to you. Here’s the letter of
recommendation and here’s the address.”
Disappointed, K. took the letter and put it in his pocket.
Even at best, the advantage he might derive from this rec-
ommendation was incomparably smaller than the damage
that lay in the fact of the manufacturer knowing about his
trial, and that the painter was spreading the news about.
It was all he could mange to give the manufacturer, who
was already on his way to the door, a few words of thanks.
“I’ll go there,” he said as he took his leave of the manufac-
turer at the door, “or, as I’m very busy at present, I’ll write
to him, perhaps he would like to come to me in my office
some time.” “I was sure you’d find the best solution,” said
the manufacturer. “Although I had thought you’d prefer
to avoid inviting people like this Titorelli to the bank and
talking about the trial here. And it’s not always a good idea
to send letters to people like Titorelli, you don’t know what
might happen to them. But you’re bound to have thought ev-
erything through and you know what you can and can’t do.”
K. nodded and accompanied the manufacturer on through
the ante-room. But despite seeming calm on the outside he
was actually very shocked; he had told the manufacturer he
would write to Titorelli only to show him in some way that
he valued his recommendations and would consider the op-
portunity to speak with Titorelli without delay, but if he had
thought Titorelli could offer any worthwhile assistance he
would not have delayed. But it was only the manufacturer’s
comment that made K. realise what dangers that could lead
to. Was he really able to rely on his own understanding so

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