Процесс

           hungupthereceiverwithoutgivingananswer;hehaddecidedimmediatelytogotherethatSunday,itwascertainlynecessary,proceedingshadbegunandhehadtofaceuptoit,andthisfirstexaminationwouldprobablyalsobethelast.Hewasstillstandinginthoughtbythetelephonewhenheheardthevoiceofthedeputydirectorbehindhim-hewantedtousethetelephonebutK.stoodinhisway."Badnews?"askedthedeputydirectorcasually,notinordertofindanythingoutbutjusttogetK.awayfromthedevice."No,no,"saidK.,hesteppedtoonesidebutdidnotgoawayentirely.Thedeputydirectorpickedupthereceiverand,ashewaitedforhisconnection,turnedawayfromitandsaidtoK.,"Onequestion,Mr.K.:WouldyouliketogivemethepleasureofjoiningmeonmysailingboatonSundaymorning?There’squiteafewpeoplecoming,you’reboundtoknowsomeofthem.OneofthemisHasterer,thestateattorney.Wouldyouliketocomealong?Docomealong!"K.triedtopayattentiontowhatthedeputydirectorwassaying.Itwasofnosmallimportanceforhim,asthisinvitationfromthedeputydirector,withwhomhehadnevergotonverywell,meantthathewastryingtoimprovehisrelationswithhim.ItshowedhowimportantK.hadbecomeinthebankandhowitssecondmostimportantofficialseemedtovaluehisfriendship,oratleasthisimpartiality.Hewasonlyspeakingatthesideofthetelephonereceiverwhilehewaitedforhisconnection,butingivingthisinvitationthedeputydirectorwashumblinghimself.ButK.