"The child is tired," she heard the lady saying, "and Hans must see our King. He has brought messages. They must stay here. Ja, ja, Hans. The house is big, and our brother Joachim gives me my will."
Then the door closed and Bettina heard no more.
In the great room where she found herself sat a dark-haired young lady embroidering.
"Pauline, Pauline!" called the children, "Hans has come, and here is Bettina."
Then, before the pretty young girl could explain, in came the stout lady and told the one called Pauline how once this Hans had saved her little sister's life, and how the family never could forget it, and that Bettina must be dressed drily in one of the children's bed-gowns and given warm milk and at once sent to bed and left there.
"I'll tell you the story presently. The child must not hear it again. It is dreadful."
When Bettina was safely in bed, up came Hans and the gentleman.
"My oldest son, Franz, was at Jena," she heard the latter saying—and then to her surprise her grandfather called him "Herr Professor."
Bettina, her eyes sparkling, sat up in bed.
"Grandfather, dear grandfather!" she called, and when he came close, she drew down his head and whispered most eagerly.