Page 204 - the-trial

portunity of embracing him and whispering, “Leave him
alone, now, you can see what sort of person he is. I’ve been
helping him a little bit because he’s an important client of
the lawyer’s, and no other reason. And what about you? Do
you want to speak to the lawyer at this time of day? He’s
very unwell today, but if you want I’ll tell him you’re here.
But you can certainly spend the night with me. It’s so long
since you were last here, even the lawyer has been asking
about you. Don’t neglect your case! And I’ve got some things
to tell you that I’ve learned about. But now, before anything
else, take your coat off!” She helped him off with his coat,
took the hat off his head, ran with the things into the hall-
way to hang them up, then she ran back and saw to the soup.
“Do you want me to tell him you’re here straight away or
take him his soup first?” “Tell him I’m here first,” said K. He
was in a bad mood, he had originally intended a detailed
discussion of his business with Leni, especially the question
of his giving the lawyer notice, but now he no longer wanted
to because of the presence of the businessman. Now he con-
sidered his affair too important to let this little businessman
take part in it and perhaps change some of his decisions,
and so he called Leni back even though she was already on
her way to the lawyer. “Bring him his soup first,” he said, “I
want him to get his strength up for the discussion with me,
he’ll need it.” “You’re a client of the lawyer’s too, aren’t you,”
said the businessman quietly from his corner as if he were
trying to find this out. It was not, however, taken well.
“What business is that of yours?” said K., and Leni said,
“Will you be quiet. I’ll take him his soup first then, shall I?”

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