For Effi delighted to think of
Kessin as a half-Siberian locality, where the ice and snow never fully
melted.
"Today Goschenhofer has sent the last thing," said Mrs. von Briest,
sitting, as was her custom, out in front of the wing of the mansion
with Effi at the work-table, upon which the supplies of linen and
underclothing kept increasing, whereas the newspapers, which merely
took up space, were constantly decreasing. "I hope you have everything
now, Effi. But if you still cherish little wishes you must speak them
out, if possible, this very hour. Papa has sold the rape crop at a
good price and is in an unusually good humor."
"Unusually? He is always in a good humor."
"In an unusually good humor," repeated the mother. "And it must be
taken advantage of. So speak. Several times during our stay in Berlin
I had the feeling that you had a very special desire for something or
other more."
"Well, dear mama, what can I say? As a matter of fact I have
everything that one needs, I mean that one needs _here_. But as it is
once for all decided that I am to go so far north--let me say in
passing that I have no objections; on the contrary I look forward with
pleasure to it, to the northern lights and the brighter splendor of
the stars--as this has been definitely decided, I should like to have
a set of furs."
"Why, Effi, child, that is empty folly. You are not going to St.
Petersburg or Archangel."
"No, but I am a part of the way."
"Certainly, child, you are a part of the way; but what does that mean?
If you go from here to Nauen you are, by the same train of reasoning,
a part of the way to Russia.
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