"
Effi read the note two or three times and was pleased. "The homage of
a good man has something very comforting about it. Don't you think so,
Geert?"
"Certainly I do. It is the only thing that can afford real pleasure,
or at least ought to. Every one is otherwise so encumbered with stupid
obligations--I am myself. But, after all, one is what one is."
The first holiday was church day, on the second they went to the
Borckes'. Everybody was there, except the Grasenabbs, who declined to
come, "because Sidonie was not at home." This excuse struck everybody
as rather strange. Some even whispered: "On the contrary, this is the
very reason they ought to have come."
New Year's eve there was to be a club ball, which Effi could not well
miss, nor did she wish to, for it would give her an opportunity to see
the cream of the city all at once. Johanna had her hands full with the
preparation of the ball dress. Gieshuebler, who, in addition to his
other hobbies, owned a hothouse, had sent Effi some camelias.
Innstetten, in spite of the little time at his disposal, had to drive
in the afternoon to Papenhagen, where three barns had burned.
It became very quiet in the house. Christel, not having anything to
do, sleepily shoved a footstool up to the stove, and Effi retired into
her bedroom, where she sat down at a small writing desk between the
mirror and the sofa, to write to her mother. She had already written a
postal card, acknowledging receipt of the Christmas letter and
presents, but had written no other news for weeks.
Pages:
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394