The doctor has not forbidden it, and what is not forbidden is
allowed."
As he said this he untied the red cord, and while Johanna was going to
the kitchen he quickly ran over the whole contents of the package.
Only two or three letters were addressed to Mrs. District Councillor
von Innstetten. He now recognized the handwriting; it was that of the
Major. Innstetten had known nothing about a correspondence between
Crampas and Effi. His brain began to grow dizzy. He put the package in
his pocket and returned to his room. A few moments later Johanna
rapped softly on his door to let him know that the coffee was served.
He answered, but that was all. Otherwise the silence was complete. Not
until a quarter of an hour later was he heard walking to and fro on
the rug. "I wonder what ails papa?" said Johanna to Annie. "The doctor
said it was nothing, didn't he?"
The walking to and fro in the adjoining room showed no signs of
ending, but Innstetten finally came out and said: "Johanna, keep an
eye on Annie and make her remain quiet on the sofa. I am going out to
walk for an hour or two." Then he gazed fixedly at the child and left
the room.
"Did you notice, Johanna, how papa looked?"
"Yes, Annie. He must have had a great vexation. He was all pale. I
never saw him like that."
Hours passed. The sun was already down and only a red glow was visible
above the roofs across the street, when Innstetten came back. He took
Annie's hand and asked her how she was.
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