half past nine
Once order had been restored , every trace of those events would have been erased and everything would take its previous course once more . In particular , there was nothing to fear from the three bank officials , they had immersed themselves back into their paperwork and there was no alteration to be seen in them . K. had called each of them , separately or all together , into his office that day for no other reason than to observe them ; he was always satisfied and had always been able to let them go again . At half past nine that evening , when he arrived back in front of the building where he lived , he met a young lad in the doorway who was standing there , his legs apart and smoking a pipe . `` Who are you ? '' immediately asked K. , bringing his face close to the lad 's , as it was hard to see in the half light of the landing . `` I 'm the landlord 's son , sir , '' answered the lad , taking the pipe from his mouth and stepping to one side .