The Trial

K. has been trying to speak with Fräulein Bürstner again for several days, with no success: The young typist has been avoiding him. He sends a letter apologizing for his behavior, but the letter is not answered. One Sunday, K. sees that another boarder, Fräulein Montag, is moving into Fräulein Bürstner’s room. He asks Frau Grubach about this, and she explains the situation, relieved that K. is speaking to her again.

K. speaks with Fräulein Montag in the dining room, and she tells him that it would be best if he stopped trying to get in contact with Fräulein Bürstner. She explains that she is speaking on Fräulein Bürstner’s behalf. K. thanks her coldly and leaves as the captain, Frau Grubach’s nephew, enters the room and greets Fräulein Montag politely. As the two converse, K. cannot resist knocking on Fräulein Bürstner’s door and even peeking his head inside to see if she is in. Fräulein Bürstner is not there. As K. leaves, he sees Fräulein Montag and the captain standing and talking in the doorway of the dining room, from where they would have clearly seen him enter the room.