Anna wore a white apron over her simple black frock. She was wonderfully pretty. Delicately built as a fawn, she had an almost mongol type of face, somewhat prominent cheekbones, narrow black eyes full of a soft gleam, and a pale yellow skin the like of which is rare anywhere. Her hands, of the same tint, were narrow, and more beautiful than a shop girl’s are wont to be.
She went behind the counter at the right end, so that she could not be seen through the shopwindow. Thomas followed on the outside of the counter and, bending over, kissed her on the lips and the eyes.
“You are quite frozen, poor boy,” she said.
“Five degrees,” said Tom. “I didn’t notice it, I’ve felt so sad coming over.”
He sat down on the table, keeping her hand in his, and went on: “Listen, Anna; we’ll be sensible today, won’t we? The time has come.”
“Oh, dear,” she said miserably, and lifted her apron to her eyes.
“It had to happen sometime, Anna. No, don’t weep. We were going to be reasonable, weren’t we? What else is there to do? One has to bear such things.”
“When?” asked Anna, sobbing.
“Day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, God, no! Why tomorrow? A week longer—five days! Please, oh, please!”
“Impossible, dear Anna. Everything is arranged and in order. They are expecting me in Amsterdam. I couldn’t make it a day longer, no matter how much I wanted.”
“And that is so far away—so far away!”
“Amsterdam? Nonsense, that isn’t far. We can always think of each other, can’t we? And I’ll write to you. You’ll see, I’ll write directly I’ve got there.”
“Do you remember,” she said, “a year and a half ago, at the Rifle-club fair?”
He interrupted her ardently. “Do I remember? Yes, a year and a half ago! I took you for an Italian. I bought a pink and put it in my buttonhole.—I still have it—I am taking it with me to Amsterdam.—What a heat: how hot and dusty it was on the meadow!”
“Yes, you bought me a glass of lemonade from the next booth. I remember it like yesterday. Everything smelled of fatty-cakes and people.”
“But it was fine! We knew right away how we felt—about each other!”
“You wanted to take me on the carousel, but I couldn’t go; I had to be in the shop. The old woman would have scolded.”
“No, I know it wouldn’t have done, Anna.”
She said softly and clearly, “But that is the only thing I’ve refused you.”
He kissed her again, on the lips and the eyes. “Adieu, darling little Anna. We must begin to say goodbye.”
“Oh, you will come back tomorrow?”
“Yes, of course, and day after tomorrow early, if I can get away.—But there is one thing I want to say to you, Anna. I am going, after all, rather far away. Amsterdam is a long way off—and you are staying here. But—don’t throw yourself away, I tell you.”
She wept into her apron, holding it up with her free hand to her face. “And you—and you?”
“God knows, Anna, what will happen. One isn’t young forever—you are a sensible girl, you have never said anything about marriage and that sort of thing—”
“God forbid—that I should ask such a thing of you!”
“One is carried along—you see. If I live, I shall take over the business, and make a good match—you see, I am open with you at parting, Anna. I wish you every happiness, darling, darling little Anna. But don’t throw yourself away, do you hear? For you haven’t done that—with me—I swear it.”
It was warm in the shop. A moist scent of earth and flowers was in the air. Outside, the winter sun was hurrying to its repose, and a pure delicate sunset, like one painted on porcelain, beautified the sky across the river. People hurried past the window, their chins tucked into their turned-up collars; no one gave a glance into the corner of the little flower-shop, at the two who stood there saying their last farewells.
Part IV
I
My dear Mamma,
A thousand thanks for your letter, in which you tell me of Armgard von Schilling’s betrothal to Herr von Maiboom of Pöppenrade. Armgard herself sent me an invitation (very fine, with a gilt edge), and also a letter in which she expresses herself as enchanted with her bridegroom. He sounds like a very handsome and refined man. How happy she must be! Everybody is getting married. I have had a card from Munich too, from Eva Ewers. I hear she’s getting a director of a brewery.
Now I must ask you something, dearest Mamma: Why do I hear nothing of a visit from the Buddenbrooks? Are you waiting for an official invitation from Grünlich? If so, it isn’t necessary; and besides, when I remind him to ask you, he says, “Yes, yes, child, your Father has something else to do.” Or do you think you would be disturbing me? Oh, dear me, no; quite the contrary! Perhaps you think you would make me homesick again? But don’t you know I am a reasonable woman, already middle-aged and experienced?
I’ve just been to coffee at Madame Käselau’s, a neighbour of mine. They are pleasant people, and our left-hand neighbours, the Gussmanns (but there is a good deal of space between the houses) are sociable people too. We have two friends who are at the house a good deal, both of whom live out here: Doctor Klaasen, of whom I must tell you more later, and Kesselmeyer, the banker, Grünlich’s intimate friend. You don’t know what a funny old man he is. He has a stubbly white beard and thin black and white hair on his head, that looks like down and waves in the breeze. He makes funny motions with his
