"Hold on! One thing comes first."
"Of course, one thing comes first; but what is the one thing?"
"The love of parents for their children, especially when they have only one child."
"Then good-by catechism, morality, and the claims of 'society.'"
"Ah, Luise, talk to me about the catechism as much as you like, but don't speak to me about 'society.'"
"It is very hard to get along without 'society."'
"Also without a child. Believe me, Luise,'society' can shut one eye when it sees fit. Here is where I stand in the matter: If the people of Rathenow come, all right, if they don't come, all right too. I am simply going to telegraph: 'Effi, come.' Are you agreed?"
She got up and kissed him on the forehead. "Of course I am. Only you must not find fault with me. An easy step it is not, and from now on our life will be different."
"I can stand it. There is a good rape crop and in the autumn I can hunt an occasional hare. I still have a taste for red wine, and it will taste even better when we have the child back in the house. Now I am going to send the telegram."
* * * * *