And I who have subjected to myself even my dreams--I am a coward?
But I shall not tire the attention of my indulgent reader with these lyrical deviations, which have no bearing on the matter.

I continue.
After a pause, broken only by K.'s loud breathing, I said to him sadly: "I--a coward! And you say this to the man who came with the sole aim of helping you?
Of helping you not only in word but also in deed ?" "You wish to help me?
In what way ?" "I will get you paper and pencil." The artist was silent.

And his voice was soft and timid when he asked, hesitatingly: "And--my drawings--will remain ?" "Yes; they will remain." It is hard to describe the vehement delight into which the exalted young man was thrown; naive and pure-hearted youth knows no bounds either in grief or in joy.

He pressed my hand warmly, shook me, disturbing my old bones; he called me friend, father, even "dear old phiz" (!) and a thousand other endearing and somewhat naive names.

To my regret our conversation lasted too long, and, notwithstanding the entreaties of the young man, who would not part with me, I hurried away to my cell.
I did not go to the Warden of the prison, as I felt somewhat agitated.
At that remote time I paced my cell until late in the night, striving to understand what means of escaping from our prison that rather foolish young man could have discovered.