Page 203 - the-trial

in a corner which the businessman was to sit on, and he did
indeed sit down on it. K. however went very close behind
Leni’s back, leant over her shoulder and asked, “Who is this
man?” Leni put one hand around K. as she stirred the soup
with the other, she drew him forward toward herself and
said, “He’s a pitiful character, a poor businessman by the
name of Block. Just look at him.” The two of them looked
back over their shoulders. The businessman was sitting on
the chair that K. had directed him to, he had extinguished
the candle whose light was no longer needed and pressed on
the wick with his fingers to stop the smoke. “You were in
your nightshirt,” said K., putting his hand on her head and
turning it back towards the stove. She was silent. “Is he your
lover?” asked K. She was about to take hold of the pot of
soup, but K. took both her hands and said, “Answer me!”
She said, “Come into the office, I’ll explain everything to
you.” “No,” said K., “I want you to explain it here.” She put
her arms around him and wanted to kiss him. K., though,
pushed her away and said, “I don’t want you to kiss me now.”
“Josef,” said Leni, looking at K. imploringly but frankly in
the eyes, “you’re not going to be jealous of Mr. Block now,
are you? Rudi,” she then said, turning to the businessman,
“help me out will you, I’m being suspected of something,
you can see that, leave the candle alone.” It had looked as
though Mr. Block had not been paying attention but he had
been following closely. “I don’t even know why you might
be jealous,” he said ingenuously. “Nor do I, actually,” said
K., looking at the businessman with a smile. Leni laughed
out loud and while K. was not paying attention took the op-

0 The Trial