Page 191 - the-trial

dropped somewhat, gave on him. “But to get a second ac-
quittal,” asked K., as if in anticipation of further revelations
by the painter, “is that not harder to get than the first time?”
“As far as that’s concerned,” answered the painter, “there’s
nothing you can say for certain. You mean, do you, that the
second arrest would have an adverse influence on the judge
and the verdict he passes on the defendant? That’s not how
it happens. When the acquittal is passed the judges are al-
ready aware that re-arrest is likely. So when it happens it has
hardly any effect. But there are countless other reasons why
the judges’ mood and their legal acumen in the case can be
altered, and efforts to obtain the second acquittal must
therefore be suited to the new conditions, and generally just
as vigorous as the first.” “But this second acquittal will once
again not be final,” said K., shaking his head. “Of course
not,” said the painter, “the second acquittal is followed by
the third arrest, the third acquittal by the fourth arrest and
so on. That’s what is meant by the term apparent acquittal.”
K. was silent. “You clearly don’t think an apparent acquittal
offers much advantage,” said the painter, “perhaps defer-
ment would suit you better. Would you like me to explain
what deferment is about?” K. nodded. The painter had leant
back and spread himself out in his chair, his nightshirt was
wide open, he had pushed his hand inside and was stroking
his breast and his sides. “Deferment,” said the painter, look-
ing vaguely in front of himself for a while as if trying to find
a perfectly appropriate explanation, “deferment consists of
keeping proceedings permanently in their earliest stages.
To do that, the accused and those helping him need to keep

1 0 The Trial