K. machte einige nichtssagende Bemerkungen, lachte auch ein wenig, und erst auf der Treppe erklärte er dem Onkel, daß er vor den Leuten nicht habe offen reden wollen.
K. made a few comments which conveyed little information, even laughed a little, and it was only when they reached the front steps that he explained to his uncle that he had not wanted to talk openly in front of those people.