Page 54 - the-trial

chair belonging to that lady I mentioned a picture of dull-
witted arrogance. What do you think he answered? What
he told me, gentlemen, was basically nothing at all; perhaps
he really did know nothing, he had placed me under arrest
and was satisfied. In fact he had done more than that and
brought three junior employees from the bank where I work
into the lady’s room; they had made themselves busy inter-
fering with some photographs that belonged to the lady and
causing a mess. There was, of course, another reason for
bringing these employees; they, just like my landlady and
her maid, were expected to spread the news of my arrest and
damage my public reputation and in particular to remove
me from my position at the bank. Well they didn’t succeed
in any of that, not in the slightest, even my landlady, who
is quite a simple person and I will give you here her name
in full respect, her name is Mrs. Grubach even Mrs. Gru-
bach was understanding enough to see that an arrest like
this has no more significance than an attack carried out on
the street by some youths who are not kept under proper
control. I repeat, this whole affair has caused me nothing
but unpleasantness and temporary irritation, but could it
not also have had some far worse consequences?”
K. broke off here and looked at the judge, who said noth-
ing. As he did so he thought he saw the judge use a movement
of his eyes to give a sign to someone in the crowd. K. smiled
and said, “And now the judge, right next to me, is giving a
secret sign to someone among you. There seems to be some-
one among you who is taking directions from above. I don’t
know whether the sign is meant to produce booing or ap-