Effi had been leaning back in the corner of the sofa with her eyes closed, but suddenly she sat up and said:  “Yes, Roswitha, what you were saying there is an idea, there is something in it.  For I must tell you that I am not going to stay in this boarding house.  I have rented an apartment farther down the street and have bought furniture, and in three more days I shall move in.  And if, when I arrive there, I could say to you:  ’No, Roswitha, not there, the wardrobe must stand here and the mirror there,’ why, that would be worth while, and I should like it.  Then when we got tired of all the drudgery I should say:  ’Now, Roswitha, go over there and get us a decanter of Munich beer, for when one has been working one is thirsty for a drink, and, if you can, bring us also something good from the Habsburg Restaurant.  You can return the dishes later.’  Yes, Roswitha, when I think of that it makes my heart feel a great deal lighter.  But I must ask you whether you have thought it all over?  I will not speak of Annie, to whom you are so attached, for she is almost your own child; nevertheless Annie will be provided for, and Johanna is also attached to her, you know.  So leave her out of the consideration.  But if you want to come to me remember how everything has changed.  I am no longer as I used to be.  I have now taken a very small apartment, and the porter will doubtless pay but little attention to you and me.  We shall have to be very economical, always have what we used to call our Thursday meal, because that was cleaning day.  Do you remember?  And do you remember how good Mr. Gieshuebler once came in and was urged to sit down with us, and how he said he had never eaten such a delicate dish?  You probably remember he was always so frightfully polite, but really he was the only human being in the city who was a connoisseur in matters of eating.  The others called everything fine.”

Roswitha was enjoying every word and could already see everything running smoothly, when Effi again said:  “Have you considered all this?  For, while it is my own household, I must not overlook the fact that you have been spoiled these many years, and formerly no questions were ever asked, for we did not need to be saving; but now I must be saving, for I am poor and have only what is given me, you know, remittances from Hohen-Cremmen.  My parents are very good to me, so far as they are able, but they are not rich.  And now tell me what you think.”

“That I shall come marching along with my trunk next Saturday, not in the evening, but early in the morning, and that I shall be there when the settling process begins.  For I can take hold quite differently from your Ladyship.”

“Don’t say that, Roswitha.  I can work too.  One can do anything when obliged to.”