Page 193 - the-trial

tioned, investigations have to take place and so on. The
trial’s been artificially constrained inside a tiny circle, and it
has to be continuously spun round within it. And that, of
course, brings with it certain unpleasantnesses for the ac-
cused, although you shouldn’t imagine they’re all that bad.
All of this is just for show, the interrogations, for instance,
they’re only very short, if you ever don’t have the time or
don’t feel like going to them you can offer an excuse, with
some judges you can even arrange the injunctions together
a long time in advance, in essence all it means is that, as the
accused, you have to report to the judge from time to time.”
Even while the painter was speaking those last words K. had
laid his coat over his arm and had stood up. Immediately,
from outside the door, there was a cry of ‘He’s standing up
now!’. “Are you leaving already?” asked the painter, who
had also stood up. “It must be the air that’s driving you out.
I’m very sorry about that. There’s still a lot I need to tell you.
I had to put everything very briefly but I hope at least it was
all clear.” “Oh yes,” said K., whose head was aching from the
effort of listening. Despite this affirmation the painter
summed it all up once more, as if he wanted to give K. some-
thing to console him on his way home. “Both have in
common that they prevent the defendant being convicted,”
he said. “But they also prevent his being properly acquit-
ted,” said K. quietly, as if ashamed to acknowledge it. “You’ve
got it, in essence,” said the painter quickly. K. placed his
hand on his winter overcoat but could not bring himself to
put it on. Most of all he would have liked to pack everything
together and run out to the fresh air. Not even the girls

1 The Trial