Page 219 - the-trial

he said, and K. looked round crossly. “You’ve forgotten your
promise,” said the businessman, stretching his hand out to
K. imploringly from where he sat. “You were going to tell
me a secret.” “That is true,” said K., as he glanced at Leni,
who was watching him carefully, to check on her. “So listen;
it’s hardly a secret now anyway. I’m going to see the lawyer
now to sack him.” “He’s sacking him!” yelled the business-
man, and he jumped up from his chair and ran around the
kitchen with his arms in the air. He kept on shouting, “He’s
sacking his lawyer!” Leni tried to rush at K. but the busi-
nessman got in her way so that she shoved him away with
her fists. Then, still with her hands balled into fists, she ran
after K. who, however, had been given a long start. He was
already inside the lawyer’s room by the time Leni caught up
with him. He had almost closed the door behind himself,
but Leni held the door open with her foot, grabbed his arm
and tried to pull him back. But he put such pressure on her
wrist that, with a sigh, she was forced to release him. She did
not dare go into the room straight away, and K. locked the
door with the key.
“I’ve been waiting for you a very long time,” said the law-
yer from his bed. He had been reading something by the
light of a candle but now he laid it onto the bedside table
and put his glasses on, looking at K. sharply through them.
Instead of apologising K. said, “I’ll be leaving again soon.”
As he had not apologised the lawyer ignored what K. said,
and replied, “I won’t let you in this late again next time.” “I
find that quite acceptable,” said K. The lawyer looked at him
quizzically. “Sit down,” he said. “As you wish,” said K.,

1 The Trial