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the night. So now Block is ready for that. Sometimes, when
he knows Block is still here, he’ll even change his mind
about letting him in to see him.” K. looked questioningly at
the businessman. The latter nodded and, although he had
spoken quite openly with K. earlier, seemed to be confused
with shame as he said, “Yes, later on you become very de-
pendent on your lawyer.” “He’s only pretending to mind,”
said Leni. “He likes to sleep here really, he’s often said so.”
She went over to a little door and shoved it open. “Do you
want to see his bedroom?” she asked. K. went over to the
low, windowless room and looked in from the doorway. The
room contained a narrow bed which filled it completely, so
that to get into the bed you would need to climb over the
bedpost. At the head of the bed there was a niche in the
wall where, fastidiously tidy, stood a candle, a bottle of ink,
and a pen with a bundle of papers which were probably to
do with the trial. “You sleep in the maid’s room?” asked K.,
as he went back to the businessman. “Leni’s let me have it,”
answered the businessman, “it has many advantages.” K.
looked long at him; his first impression of the businessman
had perhaps not been right; he had experience as his trial
had already lasted a long time, but he had paid a heavy price
for this experience. K. was suddenly unable to bear the sight
of the businessman any longer. “Bring him to bed, then!”
he called out to Leni, who seemed to understand him. For
himself, he wanted to go to the lawyer and, by dismissing
him, free himself from not only the lawyer but also from
Leni and the businessman. But before he had reached the
door the businessman spoke to him gently. “Excuse me, sir,”

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