Effi, her mother, and Cousin Briest were at the station.
The reception was hearty, particularly on the part of Effi, and a
world of things had been talked about when the carriage they had taken
stopped before their new residence on Keith street. "Well, you have
made a good choice, Effi," said Innstetten, as he entered the
vestibule; "no shark, no crocodile, and, I hope, no spooks."
"No, Geert, that is all past. A new era has dawned and I am no longer
afraid. I am also going to be better than heretofore and live more
according to your will." This she whispered to him as they climbed the
carpeted stairs to the third story. Cousin von Briest escorted the
mother.
In their apartment there was still a great deal to be done, but enough
had been accomplished to make a homelike impression and Innstetten
exclaimed out of the joy of his heart: "Effi, you are a little
genius." But she declined the praise, pointing to her mother, saying
she really deserved the credit. Her mother had issued inexorable
commands, such as, "It must stand here," and had always been right,
with the natural result that much time had been saved and their good
humor had never been disturbed. Finally Roswitha came in to welcome
her master. She took advantage of the opportunity to say: "Miss Annie
begs to be excused for today,"--a little joke, of which she was proud,
and which accomplished her purpose perfectly.
They took seats around the table, already set, and when Innstetten had
poured himself a glass of wine and all had joined him in a toast to
"happy days," he took Effi's hand and said: "Now tell me, Effi, what
was the nature of your illness?"
"Oh, let us not talk about that; it would be a waste of breath--A
little painful and a real disturbance, because it cancelled our plans.
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