rimitive, simply of tin-plate, which, however, only improved the
light and heightened the splendor. Two astral lamps with red shades, a
wedding present from Niemeyer, stood on a folding table between two
oak cupboards. On the front of the table was the tea service, with the
little lamp under the kettle already lighted. There were, beside
these, many, many other things, some of them very queer. From one side
of the hall to the other ran three beams, dividing the ceiling into
sections. From the front one was suspended a ship under full sail,
high quarter-deck, and cannon ports, while farther toward the front
door a gigantic fish seemed to be swimming in the air. Effi took her
umbrella, which she still held in her hand, and pushed gently against
the monster, so that it set up a slow rocking motion.

"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