Процесс

           recognisedthedark,slightlybulgingeyes-stoodinthehallwayinalongwhiteapron,holdingacandleinherhand."Nexttime,openupsooner!"saidK.’suncleinsteadofagreeting,whilethegirlmadeaslightcurtsey."Comealong,Josef,"hethensaidtoK.whowasslowlymovingovertowardsthegirl."Dr.Huldisunwell,"saidthegirlasK.’suncle,withoutstopping,rushedtowardsoneofthedoors.K.continuedtolookatthegirlinamazementassheturnedroundtoblockthewayintothelivingroom,shehadaroundfacelikeapuppy’s,notonlythepalecheeksandthechinwereroundbutthetemplesandthehairlineweretoo."Josef!"calledhisuncleoncemore,andheaskedthegirl,"It’stroublewithhisheart,isit?""Ithinkitis,sir,"saidthegirl,whobynowhadfoundtimetogoaheadwiththecandleandopenthedoorintotheroom.Inonecorneroftheroom,wherethelightofthecandledidnotreach,afacewithalongbeardlookedupfromthebed."Leni,who’sthiscomingin?"askedthelawyer,unabletorecognisehisguestsbecausehewasdazzledbythecandle."It’syouroldfriend,Albert,"saidK.’suncle."Oh,Albert,"saidthelawyer,fallingbackontohispillowasifthisvisitmeanthewouldnotneedtokeepupappearances."Isitreallyasbadasthat?"askedK.’suncle,sittingontheedgeofthebed."Idon’tbelieveitis.It’sarecurrenceofyourhearttroubleandit’llpassoverliketheothertimes.""Maybe,"saidthelawyerquietly,"butit’sjustasmuchtroubleasit’severbeen.