Page 86 - the-trial

was under instructions to distract him or to give him the
chance to collect himself, but the attempt had not worked.
“I had to explain to him why you were laughing,” said the
girl. “I suppose it was insulting.” “I think he would forgive
even worse insults if I finally took him outside.” K. said
nothing, did not even look up, he tolerated the two of them
negotiating over him like an object, that was even what suit-
ed him best. But suddenly he felt the information-giver’s
hand on one arm and the young woman’s hand on the oth-
er. “Up you get then, weakling,” said the information-giver.
“Thank you both very much,” said K., pleasantly surprised,
as he slowly rose and personally guided these unfamiliar
hands to the places where he most needed support. As they
approached the corridor, the girl said quietly into K.’s ear, “I
must seem to think it’s very important to show the informa-
tion-giver in a good light, but you shouldn’t doubt what I
say, I just want to say the truth. He isn’t hard-hearted. It’s
not really his job to help litigants outside if they’re unwell
but he’s doing it anyway, as you can see. I don’t suppose any
of us is hard-hearted, perhaps we’d all like to be helpful, but
working for the court offices it’s easy for us to give the im-
pression we are hard-hearted and don’t want to help anyone.
It makes me quite sad.” “Would you not like to sit down
here a while?” asked the information-giver, there were al-
ready in the corridor and just in front of the defendant
whom K. had spoken to earlier. K. felt almost ashamed to be
seen by him, earlier he had stood so upright in front of him
and now he had to be supported by two others, his hat was
held up by the information-giver balanced on outstretched