It sounded so
hopeful after all the horrible news about going away.
"Can't I go to Martha right away?" she said longingly.
"Yes, you can, Cornelli," replied her father, "but you have not eaten
anything yet."
"That does not matter," said Cornelli, already running down the stairs.
At last Cornelli was running again. She flew quickly up the little
stairs and into Martha's room.
"I have to go away, Martha, but not right away. Papa says that I have
to go," the child called out on entering. "Papa told me to come to
you; I think it was because I cried all the time and he wanted me to
stop. But I won't stop, unless you promise to help me to stay at home.
I do not want to go to all the strange children. I couldn't stand it;
oh, no, I couldn't! Oh, it would be dreadful. Please help me, Martha,
help me!" The terrible fear in Cornelli's voice and the sight of her
swollen eyes went straight to Martha's heart.
"Come and sit down on your little stool the way you used to in the old
times, Cornelli," she said lovingly, "and I'll tell you something that
will help and console you.
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