I

“I say,” cried K. suddenly⁠—they were already near the church, the inn was not far off, and K. felt he could risk something⁠—“I’m surprised that you have the nerve to drive me round on your own responsibility; are you allowed to do that?” Gerstäcker paid no attention, but went on walking quietly beside the little horse. “Hi!” cried K. , scraping some snow from the sledge and flinging a snowball which hit Gerstäcker full in the ear. That made him stop and turn round; but when K. saw him at such close quarters⁠—the sledge had slid forward a little⁠—this stooping and somehow ill-used figure with the thin red tired face and cheeks that were different⁠—one being flat and the other fallen in⁠—standing listening with his mouth open, displaying only a few isolated teeth, he found that what he had just said out of malice had to be repeated out of pity, that is, whether Gerstäcker was likely to be penalised for driving him about. “What do you mean?” asked Gerstäcker uncomprehendingly, but without waiting for an answer he spoke to the horse and they moved on again.