coming, but it seems to be a sufficient one. I can read you the bit from her letter that
mentions you.” He took the letter from his pocketbook. “Here it is. She writes: `I haven’t seen Joseph for a long time, last week I called at the Bank, but Joseph was so busy that I
couldn’t see him; I waited for almost an hour, but I had to leave then, for I had a piano
lesson. I should have liked very much to speak to him, perhaps I shall soon have the
chance. He sent me a great big box of chocolates for my birthday, it was very sweet and
thoughtful of him. I forgot to write and mention it at the time, and it was only your asking
that reminded me. For I may tell you that chocolate vanishes on the spot in this boardingschool,
hardly do you realize that you’ve been presented with a box when it’s gone. But
about Joseph, there is something else that I feel I should tell you. As I said, I was not able
to see him at the Bank because he was engaged with a gentleman. After I had waited
meekly for a while I asked an attendant if the interview was likely to last much longer. He
said that that might very well be, for it had probably something to do with the case which
was being brought against the Chief Clerk. I asked what case, and was he not mistaken, but
he said he was not mistaken, there was a case and a very serious one too, but more than
that he did not know. He himself would like to help Herr K., for he was a good and just
man, but he did not know how he was to do it, and he only wished that some influential
gentleman would take the Chief Clerk’s part. To be sure, that was certain to happen and
everything would be all right in the end, but for the time being, as he could see from Herr
K.’s state of mind, things looked far from well. Naturally I did not take all this too
seriously, I tried to reassure the simple fellow and forbade him to talk about it to anyone
else, and I’m sure it’s just idle gossip. All the same, it might be as well if you, dearest
Father, were to inquire into it on your next visit to town, it will be easy for you to find out
the real state of things, and if necessary to get some of your influential friends to intervene.
Even if it shouldn’t be necessary, and that is most likely, at least it will give your daughter
an early chance of welcoming you with a kiss, which would please her.’ A good child,”
said K.’s uncle when he had finished reading, wiping a tear from his eye. K. nodded, he
had completely forgotten Erna among the various troubles lie had had lately, and the story
about the chocolates she had obviously invented simply to save his face before his uncle
and aunt. It was really touching, and the theater tickets which he now resolved to send her
regularly would be a very inadequate return, but he did not feel equal at present to calling
at her boarding-school and chattering to an eighteen-year-old flapper. “And what have you
got to say now?” asked his uncle, who had temporarily for- gotten all his haste and
agitation over the letter, which lie seemed to be rereading. “Yes, Uncle,” said K., “it’s quite
true.” “True?” cried his uncle. “What is true? How on earth can it be true? What case is
this? Not a criminal case, surely?” “A criminal case,” answered K. “And you sit there
coolly with a criminal case hanging round your neck?” cried his uncle, his voice growing
louder and louder. “The cooler I am, the better in the end,” said K. wearily. “Don’t worry.”
“That’s a fine thing to ask of me,” cried his uncle. “Joseph, my dear Joseph, think of
yourself, think of your relatives, think of our good name. You have been a credit to us until
now, you can’t become a family disgrace. Your attitude,” he looked at K. with his head