“What is that, Geert?” she asked.

“That is a shark.”

“And that thing, clear at the end of the hall, that looks like a huge cigar in front of a tobacco store?”

“That is a young crocodile.  But you can look at all these things better and more in detail tomorrow.  Come now and let us take a cup of tea.  For in spite of shawls and rugs you must have been chilled.  Toward the last it was bitter cold.”

He offered Effi his arm and the two maids retired.  Only Frederick and Rollo followed the master of the house as he took his wife into his sitting room and study.  Effi was as much surprised here as she had been in the hall, but before she had time to say anything, Innstetten drew back a portiere, which disclosed a second, larger room looking out on the court and garden.  “Now this, Effi, is your room.  Frederick and Johanna have tried to arrange it the best they could in accordance with my orders.  I find it quite tolerable and should be happy if you liked it, too.”

She withdrew her arm from his and stood up on her tip-toes to give him a hearty kiss.  “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.  Then each will secure his rights, and I am curious to know where I shall like it best.”

“That will be a morning and evening question.”

“Certainly.  But the way it is put, or better, our attitude toward it, is the important thing.”

With that she laughed and cuddled up to him and was about to kiss his hand.