"
"You rogue, you just say that because you know my weakness. But we are
all vain, and I will believe it. I will believe it and yet, at the
same time, play the hero who foregoes his own desires. Go as soon as
you think it necessary and can justify it before your own heart."
"You must not talk like that, Geert. What do you mean by 'justifying
it before my own heart?' By saying that you force me, half
tyrannically, to assume a role of affection, and I am compelled to
say from sheer coquetry: 'Ah, Geert, then I shall never go.' Or
something of the sort."
Innstetten shook his finger at her. "Effi, you are too clever for me.
I always thought you were a child, and now I see that you are on a par
with all the rest. But enough of that, or, as your papa always said,
'that is too wide a field.' Say, rather, when you are going?"
"Today is Tuesday. Let us say, then, Friday noon by the boat. Then I
shall be in Berlin in the evening."
"Settled. And when will you be back?"
"Well, let us gay Monday evening. That will make three days."
"Impossible. That is too soon. You can't accomplish everything in
three days. Your mama will not let you go so soon, either."
"Then leave it to my discretion."
"All right," and Innstetten arose from his seat to go over to the
district councillor's office.
* * * * *
The days before Effi's departure flew by quickly. Roswitha was very
happy. "Ah, your Ladyship, Kessin, oh yes--but it is not Berlin.
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