But what is the use of discussing that now? It is
really too wide a field."
CHAPTER VI
Innstetten's leave of absence was to expire the 15th of November, and
so when they had reached Capri and Sorrento he felt morally bound to
follow his usual habit of returning to his duties on the day and at
the hour designated. So on the morning of the 14th they arrived by the
fast express in Berlin, where Cousin von Briest met them and proposed
that they should make use of the two hours before the departure of the
Stettin train to pay a visit to the Panorama and then have a little
luncheon together. Both proposals were accepted with thanks. At noon
they returned to the station, shook hands heartily and said good-by,
after both Effi and her husband had extended the customary invitation,
"Do come to see us some day," which fortunately is never taken
seriously. As the train started Effi waved a last farewell from her
compartment. Then she leaned back and made herself comfortable, but
from time to time sat up and held out her hand to Innstetten.
It was a pleasant journey, and the train arrived on time at the
Klein-Tantow station, from which a turnpike led to Kessin, ten miles
away. In the summer time, especially during the tourist season,
travelers were accustomed to avoid the turnpike and take the water
route, going by an old sidewheel steamer down the Kessine, the river
from which Kessin derived its name. But the "Phoenix"--about which the
wish had long been vainly cherished, that, at some time when there
were no passengers on board, it might justify its name and burn to
ashes--regularly stopped running on the 1st of October.
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