Then, breaking away, the little girl ran back, her eyes full of tears.
"Walter, dear Walter," she cried, "please, will you not take my love to my little brothers? And, Walter, please, will you not ask my dear godmother Schmelze in Jena to take a wreath to my dear mother's grave at Christmas? Please, Walter, please?"
"Ja wohl, dear Bettina, ja wohl," and the young boy patted her on the shoulder.
"And greet Willy Schmidt, and Tante Lottchen Schmelze, and, auf wiedersehen, dear Walter, and thank you."
Then she ran after old Hans, waiting impatiently. They started towards Erfurt, but, as soon as they could, Hans changed their direction.
"Where are we going, dear grandfather?" asked Bettina, surprised.
The old man hesitated.
"Would you like, Liebchen, to see the Queen again?"
Bettina's eyes glowed.
"Then say nothing to anybody, and try and keep from being tired, and perhaps we may help save the Queen from Napoleon."