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took the candle from the businessman’s hand which he had
been holding on to all this time wiped his hand with her
apron and then knelt beside him to scratch off some wax
that had dripped from the candle onto his trousers. “You
were about to tell me about the petty lawyers,” said K., shov-
ing Leni’s hand away with no further comment. “What’s
wrong with you today?” asked Leni, tapped him gently and
carried on with what she had been doing. “Yes, the petty
lawyers,” said the businessman, putting his hand to his brow
as if thinking hard. K. wanted to help him and said, “You
wanted immediate results and so went to the petty lawyers.”
“Yes, that’s right,” said the businessman, but did not con-
tinue with what he’d been saying. “Maybe he doesn’t want
to speak about it in front of Leni,” thought K., suppressing
his impatience to hear the rest straight away, and stopped
trying to press him.
“Have you told him I’m here?” he asked Leni. “Course
I have,” she said, “he’s waiting for you. Leave Block alone
now, you can talk to Block later, he’ll still be here.” K. still
hesitated. “You’ll still be here?” he asked the businessman,
wanting to hear the answer from him and not wanting Leni
to speak about the businessman as if he weren’t there, he
was full of secret resentment towards Leni today. And once
more it was only Leni who answered. “He often sleeps here.”
“He sleeps here?” exclaimed K., he had thought the business-
man would just wait there for him while he quickly settled
his business with the lawyer, and then they would leave to-
gether to discuss everything thoroughly and undisturbed.
“Yes,” said Leni, “not everyone’s like you, Josef, allowed to

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