"Poor little thing that I am, how you do spoil me! This
grand piano! and this rug! Why, I believe it is Turkish. And the bowl
with the little fishes, and the flower table besides! Luxuries,
everywhere I look."
"Ah, my dear Effi, you will have to put up with that. It is to be
expected when one is young and pretty and amiable. And I presume the
inhabitants of Kessin have already found out about you, heaven knows
from what source. For of the flower table, at least, I am innocent.
Frederick, where did the flower table come from?"
"Apothecary Gieshuebler. There is a card on it."
"Ah, Gieshuebler, Alonzo Gieshuebler," said Innstetten, laughingly and
almost boisterously handing the card with the foreign-sounding first
name to Effi. "Gieshuebler. I forgot to tell you about him. Let me say
in passing that he bears the doctor's title, but does not like to be
addressed by it. He says it only vexes the real doctors, and I presume
he is right about that. Well, I think you will become acquainted with
him and that soon. He is our best number here, a bel-esprit and an
original, but especially a man of soul, which is after all the chief
thing. But enough of these things; let us sit down and drink our tea.
Where shall it be? Here in your room or over there in mine! There is
no other choice. Snug and tiny is my cabin."
Without hesitating she sat down on a little corner sofa. "Let us stay
here today; you will be my guest today. Or let us say, rather: Tea
regularly in my room, breakfast in yours.
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