Chapter 6

Summary

Here, we are presented with K.'s close elderly relative, Uncle Karl. Uncle Karl suddenly pays K. a visit at his office. K. dreads meeting him after the arrest. The description of uncle Karl is very Dickensonian. His dress and his mannerisms are very well pictured. Uncle Karl is fastidious about finishing all his work on schedule as well as enjoying the entertainment that the town provides. He is a country landlord. Once K. has become independent economically, he thinks of uncle as a "ghost from the past" as he was once his ward. K.'s cousin, Erna had written to uncle informing him of his arrest. She has also pretended that K. sent a box of chocolates for her birthday.

Uncle Karl asks K. to hurry up and meet his lawyer to fight the case. K. is afraid that his clerk would overhear when he drops in to pick some papers. Uncle is shocked to know that he is involved in a criminal case. Uncle is also shocked at his indifference and tries to set the process of fighting into motion. Uncle has lived in the country for 20 years. They hail a taxi and visit Chief Magistrate Huld. The lawyer is uncle's schoolmate.

The lawyer appears to be sick, almost at the collapsing stage. His nurse is Leni. K.'s uncle seems to take a dislike for the nurse. He chases her away while the sick lawyer prances around the room. But he is extremely alert in spite of his sickness. Uncle Karl wants privacy and the nurse is dismissed. K. feels that the magistratesÂ’ judgement could be influenced if he discusses the case with other lawyers. One of his lawyer friends is seated in darkness unseen by others who happens to be the chief clerk of the court.

Leni considers her webbed fingers, as a defect while K. feels it is a paw. It is doubtful whether he regards her as an intelligent companion. She hands her keys to him as he reaches the pavement. His uncle is waiting in the pouring rain and is furious that K. walked away in the midst of a serious discussion.

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