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see the lawyer at any time you like. Do don’t even seem sur-
prised that the lawyer, despite being ill, still receives you at
eleven o’clock at night. You take it far too much for granted,
what your friends do for you. Well, your friends, or at least
I do, we like to do things for you. I don’t want or need any
more thanks than that you’re fond of me.” “Fond of you?”
thought K. at first, and only then it occurred to him, “Well,
yes, I am fond of her.” Nonetheless, what he said, forgetting
all the rest, was, “He receives me because I am his client. If
I needed anyone else’s help I’d have to beg and show grati-
tude whenever I do anything.” “He’s really nasty today, isn’t
he?” Leni asked the businessman. “Now it’s me who’s not
here,” thought K., and nearly lost his temper with the busi-
nessman when, with the same rudeness as Leni, he said,
“The lawyer also has other reasons to receive him. His case
is much more interesting than mine. And it’s only in its ear-
ly stages too, it probably hasn’t progressed very far so the
lawyer still likes to deal with him. That’ll all change later
on.” “Yeah, yeah,” said Leni, looking at the businessman
and laughing. “He doesn’t half talk!” she said, turning to
face K. “You can’t believe a word he says. He’s as talkative
as he is sweet. Maybe that’s why the lawyer can’t stand him.
At least, he only sees him when he’s in the right mood. I’ve
already tried hard to change that but it’s impossible. Just
think, there are times when I tell him Block’s here and he
doesn’t receive him until three days later. And if Block isn’t
on the spot when he’s called then everything’s lost and it all
has to start all over again. That’s why I let Block sleep here, it
wouldn’t be the first time Dr. Huld has wanted to see him in

1 The Trial