Page 227 - the-trial

ent neglect. Even that has its reason; it is often better to be
in chains than to be free. But I would like to show you how
other defendants are treated, perhaps you will succeed in
learning something from it. What I will do is I will call
Block in, unlock the door and sit down here beside the bed-
side table.” “Be glad to,” said K., and did as the lawyer
suggested; he was always ready to learn something new. But
to make sure of himself for any event he added, “but you do
realise that you are no longer to be my lawyer, don’t you?”
“Yes,” said the lawyer. “But you can still change your mind
today if you want to.” He lay back down in the bed, pulled
the quilt up to his chin and turned to face the wall. Then he
rang.
Leni appeared almost the moment he had done so. She
looked hurriedly at K. and the lawyer to try and find out
what had happened; she seemed to be reassured by the sight
of K. sitting calmly at the lawyer’s bed. She smiled and nod-
ded to K., K. looked blankly back at her. “Fetch Block,” said
the lawyer. But instead of going to fetch him, Leni just went
to the door and called out, “Block! To the lawyer!” Then,
probably because the lawyer had turned his face to the wall
and was paying no attention, she slipped in behind K.’s
chair. From then on, she bothered him by leaning forward
over the back of the chair or, albeit very tenderly and care-
fully, she would run her hands through his hair and over his
cheeks. K. eventually tried to stop her by taking hold of one
hand, and after some resistance Leni let him keep hold of it.
Block came as soon as he was called, but he remained stand-
ing in the doorway and seemed to be wondering whether he

The Trial