"God be praised," said Madame von Stork. "Our dear, dear Queen has recovered." She stood behind the group and watched, having entered the room while they were talking.
As for little Bettina, a great happiness filled her.
Her lovely Queen lived here in Memel and she walked out like other people.
"Perhaps," she said to Ilse, "one day we shall meet her."
But Ilse did not answer.
"Look, Bettina," she cried, "our King is talking to father."
Sure enough there was the Professor standing with their Majesties, first looking cheerful, then becoming grave and attentive.
As soon as he entered the house he called to his wife. They talked for a long time in private, and after that day everybody in the house was very, very kind to Bettina. Sometimes Madame von Stork's eyes would fill when they gazed at her, and once, when the little girl told her that she was making a nice pair of stockings for her grandfather, the lady began to weep.
Bettina thought her tears were for the Herr Lieutenant, and sat very quiet. Only she could not help wondering why no one ever said a word about her grandfather.