Page 99 - the-trial

something that was not only improper but also pointless. In
the room there was no-one. What’s more, it looked hardly
at all like the room K. had known before. Against the wall
there were now two beds behind one another, there were
clothes piled up on three chairs near the door, a wardrobe
stood open. Miss Burstner must have gone out while Miss
Montag was speaking to him in the dining room. K. was not
greatly bothered by this, he had hardly expected to be able
to find Miss Burstner so easily and had made this attempt
for little more reason than to spite Miss Montag. But that
made it all the more embarrassing for him when, as he was
closing the door again, he saw Miss Montag and the cap-
tain talking in the open doorway of the dining room. They
had probably been standing there ever since K. had opened
the door, they avoided seeming to observe K. but chatted
lightly and followed his movements with glances, the ab-
sent minded glances to the side such as you make during a
conversation. But these glances were heavy for K., and he
rushed alongside the wall back into his own room.

The Trial