The teacher was standing up, looking at the devastation, but Clara was

highly entertained by these events, and said: "Heidi has not done it

on purpose and must not be punished. In her hurry to get away she

caught on the table-cover and pulled it down. I think she must never

have seen a coach in all her life, for when she heard a carriage

rumbling by, she rushed out like mad."

"Didn't I tell you, Mr. Candidate, that she has no idea whatever about

behavior? She does not even know that she has to sit quiet at her

lessons. But where has she gone? What would Mr. Sesemann say if she

should run away?"

When Miss Rottenmeier went down-stairs to look for the child, she saw

her standing at the open door, looking down the street.

"What are you doing here? How can you run away like that?" scolded

Miss Rottenmeier.

"I heard the fir-trees rustle, but I can't see them and do not hear

them any more," replied Heidi, looking in great perplexity down the

street. The noise of the passing carriage had reminded her of the

roaring of the south-wind on the Alp.

"Fir-trees? What nonsense! We are not in a wood. Come with me now to

see what you have done." When Heidi saw the devastation that she had

caused, she was greatly surprised, for she had not noticed it in her

hurry.

"This must never happen again," said the lady sternly. "You must sit

quiet at your lessons; if you get up again I shall tie you to your

chair. Do you hear me?"

Heidi understood, and gave a promise to sit quietly during her lessons

from that time on. After the servants had straightened the room, it

was late, and there was no more time for studies. Nobody had time to

yawn that morning.

In the afternoon, while Clara was resting, Heidi was left to herself.

She planted herself in the hall and waited for the butler to come

up-stairs with the silver things. When he reached the head of the

stairs, she said to him: "I want to ask you something." She saw that

the butler seemed angry, so she reassured him by saying that she did

not mean any harm.

"All right, Miss, what is it?"

"My name is not Miss, why don't you call me Heidi?"

"Miss Rottenmeier told me to call you Miss."

"Did she? Well then, it must be so. I have three names already,"

sighed the child.

"What can I do for you?" asked Sebastian now.

"Can you open a window for me?"

"Certainly," he replied.

Sebastian got a stool for Heidi, for the window-sill was too high for

her to see over. In great disappointment, Heidi turned her head away.

"I don't see anything but a street of stone. Is it the same way on the

other side of the house?"

"Yes."

"Where do you go to look far down on everything?"

"On a church-tower. Do you see that one over there with the golden

dome? From there you can overlook everything."

Heidi immediately stepped down from the stool and ran down-stairs.

Opening the door, she found herself in the street, but she could not

see the tower any more. She wandered on from street to street, not

daring to accost any of the busy people. Passing a corner, she saw a

boy who had a barrel-organ on his back and a curious animal on his

arm. Heidi ran to him and asked: "Where is the tower with the golden

dome?"

"Don't know," was the reply.

"Who can tell me?"

"Don't know."

"Can you show me another church with a tower?"

"Of course I can."

"Then come and show me."

"What are you going to give me for it?" said the boy, holding out his

hand. Heidi had nothing in her pocket but a little flower-picture.

Clara had only given it to her this morning, so she was loath to part

with it. The temptation to look far down into the valley was too

great for her, though, and she offered him the gift. The boy shook his

head, to Heidi's satisfaction.

"What else do you want?"

"Money."

"I have none, but Clara has some. How much must I give you?"

"Twenty pennies."

"All right, but come."

While they were wandering down the street, Heidi found out what a

barrel-organ was, for she had never seen one. When they arrived before

an old church with a tower, Heidi was puzzled what to do next, but

having discovered a bell, she pulled it with all her might. The boy

agreed to wait for Heidi and show her the way home if she gave him a

double fee.

The lock creaked now from inside, and an old man opened the door. In

an angry voice, he said: "How do you dare to ring for me? Can't you

see that it is only for those who want to see the tower?"

"But I do," said Heidi.

"What do you want to see? Did anybody send you?" asked the man.

"No; but I want to look down from up there."

"Get home and don't try it again." With that the tower-keeper was

going to shut the door, but Heidi held his coat-tails and pleaded with

him to let her come. The tower-keeper looked at the child's eyes,

which were nearly full of tears.

"All right, come along, if you care so much," he said, taking her by

the hand. The two climbed up now many, many steps, which got narrower

all the time. When they had arrived on top, the old man lifted Heidi

up to the open window.

Heidi saw nothing but a sea of chimneys, roofs and towers, and her

heart sank. "Oh, dear, it's different from the way I thought it would

be," she said.

"There! what could such a little girl know about a view? We'll go down

now and you must promise never to ring at my tower any more."

On their way they passed an attic, where a large grey cat guarded her

new family in a basket. This cat caught half-a-dozen mice every day

for herself, for the old tower was full of rats and mice. Heidi gazed

at her in surprise, and was delighted when the old man opened the

basket.

"What charming kittens, what cunning little creatures!" she exclaimed

in her delight, when she saw them crawling about, jumping and

tumbling.

"Would you like to have one?" the old man asked.

"For me? to keep?" Heidi asked, for she could not believe her ears.

"Yes, of course. You can have several if you have room for them," the

old man said, glad to find a good home for the kittens.

How happy Heidi was! Of course there was enough room in the huge

house, and Clara would be delighted when she saw the cunning things.

"How can I take them with me?" the child asked, after she had tried in

vain to catch one.

"I can bring them to your house, if you tell me where you live," said

Heidi's new friend, while he caressed the old cat, who had lived with

him many years.

"Bring them to Mr. Sesemann's house; there is a golden dog on the

door, with a ring in his mouth."

The old man had lived in the tower a long time and knew everybody;

Sebastian also was a special friend of his.

"I know," he said. "But to whom shall I send them? Do you belong to

Mr. Sesemann?"

"No. Please send them to Clara; she will like them, I am sure."

Heidi could hardly tear herself away from the pretty things, so the

old man put one kitten in each of her pockets to console her. After

that she went away.

The boy was waiting patiently for her, and when she had taken leave of

the tower-keeper, she asked the boy: "Do you know where Mr. Sesemann's

house is?"

"No," was the reply.

She described it as well as she could, till the boy remembered it. Off

they started, and soon Heidi found herself pulling the door-bell. When

Sebastian arrived he said: "Hurry up." Heidi went in, and the boy was

left outside, for Sebastian had not even seen him.

"Come up quickly, little Miss," he urged. "They are all waiting for

you in the dining-room. Miss Rottenmeier looks like a loaded cannon.

How could you run away like that?"

Heidi sat down quietly on her chair. Nobody said a word, and there was

an uncomfortable silence. At last Miss Rottenmeier began with a severe

and solemn voice: "I shall speak with you later, Adelheid. How can you

leave the house without a word? Your behavior was very remiss. The

idea of walking about till so late!"

"Meow!" was the reply.

"I didn't," Heidi began--"Meow!"

Sebastian nearly flung the dish on the table, and disappeared.

"This is enough," Miss Rottenmeier tried to say, but her voice was

hoarse with fury. "Get up and leave the room."

[Illustration: OFF THEY STARTED, AND SOON HEIDI WAS PULLING THE

DOOR-BELL]

Heidi got up. She began again. "I made--" "Meow! meow! meow!--"

"Heidi," said Clara now, "why do you always say 'meow' again, if you

see that Miss Rottenmeier is angry?"

"I am not doing it, it's the kittens," she explained.

"What? Cats? Kittens?" screamed the housekeeper. "Sebastian, Tinette,

take the horrible things away!" With that she ran into the study,

locking herself in, for she feared kittens beyond anything on earth.

When Sebastian had finished his laugh, he came into the room. He had

foreseen the excitement, having caught sight of the kittens when Heidi

came in. The scene was a very peaceful one now; Clara held the little

kittens in her lap, and Heidi was kneeling beside her. They both

played happily with the two graceful creatures. The butler promised to

look after the new-comers and prepared a bed for them in a basket.

A long time afterwards, when it was time to go to bed, Miss

Rottenmeier cautiously opened the door. "Are they away?" she asked.

"Yes," replied the butler, quickly seizing the kittens and taking them

away.

The lecture that Miss Rottenmeier was going to give Heidi was

postponed to the following day, for the lady was too much exhausted

after her fright. They all went quietly to bed, and the children were

happy in the thought that their kittens had a comfortable bed.

[Illustration]

VIII

GREAT DISTURBANCES IN THE SESEMANN HOUSE

A short time after the tutor had arrived next morning, the door-bell

rang so violently that Sebastian thought it must be Mr. Sesemann

himself. What was his surprise when a dirty street-boy, with a

barrel-organ on his back, stood before him!

"What do you mean by pulling the bell like that?" the butler said.

"I want to see Clara."

"Can't you at least say 'Miss Clara', you ragged urchin?" said

Sebastian harshly.

"She owes me forty pennies," said the boy.

"You are crazy! How do you know Miss Clara lives here?"

"I showed her the way yesterday and she promised to give me forty

pennies."

"What nonsense! Miss Clara never goes out. You had better take

yourself off, before I send you!"

The boy, however, did not even budge, and said: "I saw her. She has

curly hair, black eyes and talks in a funny way."

"Oh," Sebastian chuckled to himself, "that was the little Miss."

Pulling the boy into the house, he said: "All right, you can follow

me. Wait at the door till I call you, and then you can play something

for Miss Clara."

Knocking at the study-door, Sebastian said, when he had entered: "A

boy is here who wants to see Miss Clara."

Clara, delighted at his interruption, said: "Can't he come right up,

Mr. Candidate?"

But the boy was already inside, and started to play. Miss Rottenmeier

was in the adjoining room when she heard the sounds. Where did they

come from? Hurrying into the study, she saw the street-boy playing to

the eager children.

"Stop! stop!" she called, but in vain, for the music drowned her

voice. Suddenly she made a big jump, for there, between her feet,

crawled a black turtle. Only when she shrieked for Sebastian could her

voice be heard. The butler came straight in, for he had seen

everything behind the door, and a great scene it had been! Glued to a

chair in her fright, Miss Rottenmeier called: "Send the boy away! Take

them away!"

Sebastian obediently pulled the boy after him; then he said: "Here are

forty pennies from Miss Clara and forty more for playing. It was well

done, my boy."

With that he closed the door behind him. Miss Rottenmeier found it

wiser now to stay in the study to prevent further disturbances.

Suddenly there was another knock at the door. Sebastian appeared with

a large basket, which had been brought for Clara.

"We had better have our lesson before we inspect it," said Miss

Rottenmeier. But Clara, turning to the tutor, asked: "Oh, please, Mr.

Candidate, can't we just peep in, to see what it is?"

"I am afraid that you will think of nothing else," the teacher began.

Just then something in the basket, which had been only lightly

fastened, moved, and one, two, three and still more little kittens

jumped out, scampering around the room with the utmost speed. They

bounded over the tutor's boots and bit his trousers; they climbed up

on Miss Rottenmeier's dress and crawled around her feet. Mewing and

running, they caused a frightful confusion. Clara called out in

delight: "Oh, look at the cunning creatures; look how they jump!

Heidi, look at that one, and oh, see the one over there?"

Heidi followed them about, while the teacher shook them off. When the

housekeeper had collected her wits after the great fright, she called

for the servants. They soon arrived and stored the little kittens

safely in the new bed.

No time had been found for yawning that day, either!

When Miss Rottenmeier, who had found out the culprit, was alone with

the children in the evening, she began severely:

"Adelheid, there is only one punishment for you. I am going to send

you to the cellar, to think over your dreadful misdeeds, in company

with the rats."

A cellar held no terrors for Heidi, for in her grandfather's cellar

fresh milk and the good cheese had been kept, and no rats had lodged

there.

But Clara shrieked: "Oh, Miss Rottenmeier, you must wait till Papa

comes home, and then he can punish Heidi."

The lady unwillingly replied: "All right, Clara, but I shall also

speak a few words to Mr. Sesemann." With those words she left the

room. Since the child's arrival everything had been upset, and the

lady often felt discouraged, though nothing remarkable happened for a

few days.

Clara, on the contrary, enjoyed her companion's society, for she

always did funny things. In her lesson she could never get her letters

straight. They meant absolutely nothing to her, except that they would

remind her of goats and eagles. The girls always spent their evenings

together, and Heidi would entertain her friend with tales of her

former life, till her longing grew so great that she added: "I have to

go home now. I must go tomorrow."

Clara's soothing words and the prospect of more rolls for the

grandmother kept the child. Every day after dinner she was left alone

in her room for some hours. Thinking of the green fields at home, of

the sparkling flowers on the mountains, she would sit in a corner till

her desire for all those things became too great to bear. Her aunt had

clearly told her that she might return, if she wished to do so, so one

day she resolved to leave for the Alm-hut. In a great hurry she packed

the bread in the red shawl, and putting on her old straw hat, started

off. The poor child did not get very far. At the door she encountered

Miss Rottenmeier, who stared at Heidi in mute surprise.

"What are you up to?" she exploded. "Haven't I forbidden you to run

away? You look like a vagabond!"

"I was only going home," whispered the frightened child.

"What, you want to run away from this house? What would Mr. Sesemann

say? What is it that does not suit you here? Don't you get better

treatment than you deserve? Have you ever before had such food,

service and such a room? Answer!"

"No," was the reply.

"Don't I know that?" the furious lady proceeded. "What a thankless

child you are, just idle and good-for-nothing!"

But Heidi could not bear it any longer. She loudly wailed: "Oh, I want

to go home. What will poor Snowhopper do without me? Grandmother is

waiting for me every day. Poor Thistlefinch gets blows if Peter gets

no cheese, and I must see the sun again when he says good-night to the

mountains. How the eagle would screech if he saw all the people here

in Frankfurt!"

"For mercy's sake, the child is crazy!" exclaimed Miss Rottenmeier,

running up the stairs. In her hurry she had bumped into Sebastian,

who was just then coming down.

"Bring the unlucky child up!" she called to him, rubbing her head.

"All right, many thanks," answered the butler, rubbing his head, too,

for he had encountered something far harder than she had.

When the butler came down, he saw Heidi standing near the door with

flaming eyes, trembling all over. Cheerfully he asked: "What has

happened, little one? Do not take it to heart, and cheer up. She

nearly made a hole in my head just now, but we must not get

discouraged. Oh, no!--Come, up with you; she said so!"

Heidi walked up-stairs very slowly. Seeing her so changed, Sebastian

said:

"Don't give in! Don't be so sad! You have been so courageous till now;

I have never heard you cry yet. Come up now, and when the lady's away

we'll go and look at the kittens. They are running round like wild!"

Nodding cheerlessly, the child disappeared in her room.

That night at supper Miss Rottenmeier watched Heidi constantly, but

nothing happened. The child sat as quiet as a mouse, hardly touching

her food, except the little roll.

Talking with the tutor next morning, Miss Rottenmeier told him her

fears about Heidi's mind. But the teacher had more serious troubles

still, for Heidi had not even learned her A,B,C in all this time.

Heidi was sorely in need of some clothes, so Clara had given her some.

Miss Rottenmeier was just busy arranging the child's wardrobe, when

she suddenly returned.

"Adelheid," she said contemptuously, "what do I find? A big pile of

bread in your wardrobe! I never heard the like. Yes, Clara, it is

true." Then, calling Tinette, she ordered her to take away the bread

and the old straw hat she had found.

"No, don't! I must keep my hat! The bread is for grandmother," cried

Heidi in despair.

"You stay here, while we take the rubbish away," said the lady

sternly.

Heidi threw herself down now on Clara's chair and sobbed as if her

heart would break.

"Now I can't bring grandmother any rolls! Oh, they were for

grandmother!" she lamented.

"Heidi, don't cry any more," Clara begged. "Listen! When you go home

some day, I am going to give you as many rolls as you had, and more.

They will be much softer and better than those stale ones you have

kept. Those were not fit to eat, Heidi. Stop now, please, and don't

cry any more!"

Only after a long, long time did Heidi become quiet. When she had

heard Clara's promise, she cried: "Are you really going to give me as

many as I had?"

At supper, Heidi's eyes were swollen and it was still hard for her to

keep from crying. Sebastian made strange signs to her that she did not

understand. What did he mean?

Later, though, when she climbed into her high bed, she found her old

beloved straw hat hidden under her cover. So Sebastian had saved it

for her and had tried to tell her! She crushed it for joy, and

wrapping it in a handkerchief, she hid it in the furthest corner of

her wardrobe.

IX

THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE HEARS OF STRANGE DOINGS

A few days afterwards there was great excitement in the Sesemann

residence, for the master of the house had just arrived. The servants

were taking upstairs one load after another, for Mr. Sesemann always

brought many lovely things home with him.

When he entered his daughter's room, Heidi shyly retreated into a

corner. He greeted Clara affectionately, and she was equally delighted

to see him, for she loved her father dearly. Then he called to Heidi:

"Oh, there is our little Swiss girl. Come and give me your hand!

That's right. Are you good friends, my girls, tell me now? You don't

fight together, what?"

"Oh, no, Clara is always kind to me," Heidi replied.

"Heidi has never even tried to fight, Papa," Clara quickly remarked.

"That's good, I like to hear that," said the father rising. "I must

get my dinner now, for I am hungry. I shall come back soon and show

you what I have brought home with me."

In the dining-room he found Miss Rottenmeier surveying the table with

a most tragic face. "You do not look very happy at my arrival, Miss

Rottenmeier. What is the matter? Clara seems well enough," he said to

her.

"Oh, Mr. Sesemann, we have been terribly disappointed," said the lady.

"How do you mean?" asked Mr. Sesemann, calmly sipping his wine.

"We had decided, as you know, to have a companion for Clara. Knowing

as I did that you would wish me to get a noble, pure child, I thought

of this Swiss child, hoping she would go through life like a breath of

pure air, hardly touching the earth."

"I think that even Swiss children are made to touch the earth,

otherwise they would have to have wings."

"I think you understand what I mean. I have been terribly

disappointed, for this child has brought the most frightful animals

into the house. Mr. Candidate can tell you!"

"The child does not look very terrible. But what do you mean?"

"I cannot explain it, because she does not seem in her right mind at

times."

Mr. Sesemann was getting worried at last, when the tutor entered.

"Oh, Mr. Candidate, I hope you will explain. Please take a cup of

coffee with me and tell me about my daughter's companion. Make it

short, if you please!"

But this was impossible for Mr. Candidate, who had to greet Mr.

Sesemann first. Then he began to reassure his host about the child,

pointing out to him that her education had been neglected till then,

and so on. But poor Mr. Sesemann, unfortunately, did not get his

answer, and had to listen to very long-winded explanations of the

child's character. At last Mr. Sesemann got up, saying: "Excuse me,

Mr. Candidate, but I must go over to Clara now."

He found the children in the study. Turning to Heidi, who had risen at

his approach, he said: "Come, little one, get me--get me a glass of

water."

"Fresh water?"

"Of course, fresh water," he replied. When Heidi had gone, he sat down

near Clara, holding her hand. "Tell me, little Clara," he asked,

"please tell me clearly what animals Heidi has brought into the house;

is she really not right in her mind?"

Clara now began to relate to her father all the incidents with the

kittens and the turtle, and explained Heidi's speeches that had so

frightened the lady. Mr. Sesemann laughed heartily and asked Clara if

she wished Heidi to remain.

"Of course, Papa. Since she is here, something amusing happens every

day; it used to be so dull, but now Heidi keeps me company."

"Very good, very good, Clara; Oh! Here is your friend back again. Did

you get nice fresh water?" asked Mr. Sesemann.

Heidi handed him the glass and said: "Yes, fresh from the fountain."

"You did not go to the fountain yourself, Heidi?" said Clara.

"Certainly, but I had to get it from far, there were so many people at

the first and at the second fountain. I had to go down another street

and there I got it. A gentleman with white hair sends his regards to

you, Mr. Sesemann."

Clara's father laughed and asked: "Who was the gentleman?"

"When he passed by the fountain and saw me there with a glass, he

stood still and said: 'Please give me to drink, for you have a glass;

to whom are you bringing the water?' Then I said: 'I am bringing it to

Mr. Sesemann.' When he heard that he laughed very loud and gave me his

regards for you, with the wish that you would enjoy your drink."

"I wonder who it was? What did the gentleman look like?"

"He has a friendly laugh and wears a gold pendant with a red stone on

his thick gold chain; there is a horsehead on his cane."

"Oh, that was the doctor--" "That was my old doctor," exclaimed father

and daughter at the same time.

In the evening, Mr. Sesemann told Miss Rottenmeier that Heidi was

going to remain, for the children were very fond of each other and he

found Heidi normal and very sweet. "I want the child to be treated

kindly," Mr. Sesemann added decidedly. "Her peculiarities must not be

punished. My mother is coming very soon to stay here, and she will

help you to manage the child, for there is nobody in this world that

my mother could not get along with, as you know, Miss Rottenmeier."

"Of course, I know that, Mr. Sesemann," replied the lady, but she was

not very much pleased at the prospect.

Mr. Sesemann only stayed two weeks, for his business called him back

to Paris. He consoled his daughter by telling her that his mother was

coming in a very few days. Mr. Sesemann had hardly left, when the

grandmother's visit was announced for the following day.

Clara was looking forward to this visit, and told Heidi so much about

her dear grandmama that Heidi also began to call her by that name, to

Miss Rottenmeier's disapproval, who thought that the child was not

entitled to this intimacy.

[Illustration]

X

A GRANDMAMA

The following evening great expectation reigned in the house. Tinette

had put on a new cap, Sebastian was placing footstools in front of

nearly every armchair, and Miss Rottenmeier walked with great dignity

about the house, inspecting everything.

When the carriage at last drove up, the servants flew downstairs,

followed by Miss Rottenmeier in more measured step. Heidi had been

sent to her room to await further orders, but it was not long before

Tinette opened the door and said brusquely: "Go into the study!"

The grandmama, with her kind and loving way, immediately befriended

the child and made her feel as if she had known her always. To the

housekeeper's great mortification, she called the child Heidi,

remarking to Miss Rottenmeier: "If somebody's name is Heidi, I call

her so."

The housekeeper soon found that she had to respect the grandmother's

ways and opinions. Mrs. Sesemann always knew what was going on in the

house the minute she entered it. On the following afternoon Clara was

resting and the old lady had shut her eyes for five minutes, when she

got up again and went into the dining-room. With a suspicion that the

housekeeper was probably asleep, she went to this lady's room,

knocking loudly on the door. After a while somebody stirred inside,

and with a bewildered face Miss Rottenmeier appeared, staring at the

unexpected visitor.

"Rottenmeier, where is the child? How does she pass her time? I want

to know," said Mrs. Sesemann.

"She just sits in her room, not moving a finger; she has not the

slightest desire to do something useful, and that is why she thinks of

such absurd things that one can hardly mention them in polite

society."

"I should do exactly the same thing, if I were left alone like that.

Please bring her to my room now, I want to show her some pretty books

I have brought with me."

"That is just the trouble. What should she do with books? In all this

time she has not even learned the A,B,C for it is impossible to instil

any knowledge into this being. If Mr. Candidate was not as patient as

an angel, he would have given up teaching her long ago."

"How strange! The child does not look to me like one who cannot learn

the A,B,C," said Mrs. Sesemann. "Please fetch her now; we can look at

the pictures anyway."

The housekeeper was going to say more, but the old lady had turned

already and gone to her room. She was thinking over what she had heard

about Heidi, making up her mind to look into the matter.

Heidi had come and was looking with wondering eyes at the splendid

pictures in the large books, that Grandmama was showing her. Suddenly

she screamed aloud, for there on the picture she saw a peaceful flock

grazing on a green pasture. In the middle a shepherd was standing,

leaning on his crook. The setting sun was shedding a golden light over

everything. With glowing eyes Heidi devoured the scene; but suddenly

she began to sob violently.

The grandmama took her little hand in hers and said in the most

soothing voice: "Come, child, you must not cry. Did this remind you of

something? Now stop, and I'll tell you the story to-night. There are

lovely stories in this book, that people can read and tell. Dry your

tears now, darling, I must ask you something. Stand up now and look at

me! Now we are merry again!"

Heidi did not stop at once, but the kind lady gave her ample time to

compose herself, saying from time to time: "Now it's all over. Now

we'll be merry again."

When the child was quiet at last, she said: "Tell me now how your

lessons are going. What have you learnt, child, tell me?"

"Nothing," Heidi sighed; "but I knew that I never could learn it."

"What is it that you can't learn?"

"I can't learn to read; it is too hard."

"What next? Who gave you this information?"

"Peter told me, and he tried over and over again, but he could not do

it, for it is too hard."

"Well, what kind of boy is he? Heidi, you must not believe what Peter

tells you, but try for yourself. I am sure you had your thoughts

elsewhere when Mr. Candidate showed you the letters."

"It's no use," Heidi said with such a tone as if she was resigned to

her fate.

"I am going to tell you something, Heidi," said the kind lady now.

"You have not learnt to read because you have believed what Peter

said. You shall believe me now, and I prophesy that you will learn it

in a very short time, as a great many other children do that are like

you and not like Peter. When you can read, I am going to give you this

book. You have seen the shepherd on the green pasture, and then you'll

be able to find out all the strange things that happen to him. Yes,

you can hear the whole story, and what he does with his sheep and his

goats. You would like to know, wouldn't you, Heidi?"

Heidi had listened attentively, and said now with sparkling eyes: "If

I could only read already!"

"It won't be long, I can see that. Come now and let us go to Clara."

With that they both went over to the study.

Since the day of Heidi's attempted flight a great change had come over

the child. She had realized that it would hurt her kind friends if she

tried to go home again. She knew now that she could not leave, as her

Aunt Deta had promised, for they all, especially Clara and her father

and the old lady, would think her ungrateful. But the burden grew

heavier in her heart and she lost her appetite, and got paler and

paler. She could not get to sleep at night from longing to see the

mountains with the flowers and the sunshine, and only in her dreams

she would be happy. When she woke up in the morning, she always found

herself on her high white bed, far away from home. Burying her head in

her pillow, she would often weep a long, long time.

Mrs. Sesemann had noticed the child's unhappiness, but let a few days

pass by, hoping for a change. But the change never came, and often

Heidi's eyes were red even in the early morning. So she called the

child to her room one day and said, with great sympathy in her voice:

"Tell me, Heidi, what is the matter with you? What is making you so

sad?"

But as Heidi did not want to appear thankless, she replied sadly: "I

can't tell you."

"No? Can't you tell Clara perhaps?"

"Oh, no, I can't tell anyone," Heidi said, looking so unhappy that the

old lady's heart was filled with pity.

"I tell you something, little girl," she continued. "If you have a

sorrow that you cannot tell to anyone, you can go to Our Father in

Heaven. You can tell Him everything that troubles you, and if we ask

Him He can help us and take our suffering away. Do you understand me,

child? Don't you pray every night? Don't you thank Him for all His

gifts and ask Him to protect you from evil?"

"Oh no, I never do that," replied the child.

"Have you never prayed, Heidi? Do you know what I mean?"

"I only prayed with my first grandmother, but it is so long ago, that

I have forgotten."

"See, Heidi, I understand now why you are so unhappy. We all need

somebody to help us, and just think how wonderful it is, to be able to

go to the Lord, when something distresses us and causes us pain. We

can tell Him everything and ask Him to comfort us, when nobody else

can do it. He can give us happiness and joy."

Heidi was gladdened by these tidings, and asked: "Can we tell Him

everything, everything?"

"Yes, Heidi, everything."

The child, withdrawing her hand from the grandmama, said hurriedly,

"Can I go now?"

"Yes, of course," was the reply, and with this Heidi ran to her room.

Sitting down on a stool she folded her hands and poured out her heart

to God, imploring Him to help her and let her go home to her

grandfather.

About a week later, Mr. Candidate asked to see Mrs. Sesemann, to tell

her of something unusual that had occurred. Being called to the lady's

room, he began: "Mrs. Sesemann, something has happened that I never

expected," and with many more words the happy grandmama was told that

Heidi had suddenly learned to read with the utmost correctness, most

rare with beginners.

"Many strange things happen in this world," Mrs. Sesemann remarked,

while they went over to the study to witness Heidi's new

accomplishment. Heidi was sitting close to Clara, reading her a story;

she seemed amazed at the strange, new world that had opened up before

her. At supper Heidi found the large book with the beautiful pictures

on her plate, and looking doubtfully at grandmama, she saw the old

lady nod. "Now it belongs to you, Heidi," she said.

"Forever? Also when I am going home?" Heidi inquired, confused with

joy.

"Certainly, forever!" the grandmama assured her. "Tomorrow we shall

begin to read it."

"But Heidi, you must not go home; no, not for many years," Clara

exclaimed, "especially when grandmama goes away. You must stay with

me."

Heidi still looked at her book before going to bed that night, and

this book became her dearest treasure. She would look at the beautiful

pictures and read all the stories aloud to Clara. Grandmama would

quietly listen and explain something here and there, making it more

beautiful than before. Heidi loved the pictures with the shepherd best

of all; they told the story of the prodigal son, and the child would

read and re-read it till she nearly knew it all by heart. Since Heidi

had learned to read and possessed the book, the days seemed to fly,

and the time had come near that the grandmama had fixed for her

departure.

XI

HEIDI GAINS IN SOME RESPECTS AND LOSES IN OTHERS

The grandmama sent for Heidi every day after dinner, while Clara was

resting and Miss Rottenmeier disappeared into her room. She talked to

Heidi and amused her in various ways, showing her how to make clothes

for pretty little dolls that she had brought. Unconsciously Heidi had

learned to sew, and made now the sweetest dresses and coats for the

little people out of lovely materials the grandmama would give her.

Often Heidi would read to the old lady, for the oftener she read over

the stories the dearer they became to her. The child lived everything

through with the people in the tales and was always happy to be with

them again. But she never looked really cheerful and her eyes never

sparkled merrily as before.

In the last week of Mrs. Sesemann's stay, Heidi was called again to

the old lady's room. The child entered with her beloved book under her

arm. Mrs. Sesemann drew Heidi close to her, and laying the book aside,

she said: "Come, child, and tell me why you are so sad. Do you still

have the same sorrow?"

"Yes," Heidi replied.

"Did you confide it to Our Lord?"

"Yes."

"Do you pray to Him every day that He may make you happy again and

take your affliction away?"

"Oh no, I don't pray any more."

"What do I hear, Heidi? Why don't you pray?"

"It does not help, for God has not listened. I don't wonder," she

added, "for if all the people in Frankfurt pray every night, He cannot

listen to them all. I am sure He has not heard me."

"Really? Why are you so sure?"

"Because I have prayed for the same thing many, many weeks and God has

not done what I have asked Him to."

"That is not the way, Heidi. You see, God in heaven is a good Father

to all of us, who knows what we need better than we do. When something

we ask for is not very good for us, He gives us something much better,

if we confide in Him and do not lose confidence in His love. I am sure

what you asked for was not very good for you just now; He has heard

you, for He can hear the prayers of all the people in the world at the

same time, because He is God Almighty and not a mortal like us. He

heard your prayers and said to Himself: 'Yes, Heidi shall get what she

is praying for in time.' Now, while God was looking down on you to

hear your prayers, you lost confidence and went away from Him. If God

does not hear your prayers any more, He will forget you also and let

you go. Don't you want to go back to Him, Heidi, and ask His

forgiveness? Pray to Him every day, and hope in Him, that He may bring

cheer and happiness to you."

Heidi had listened attentively; she had unbounded confidence in the

old lady, whose words had made a deep impression on her. Full of

repentance, she said: "I shall go at once and ask Our Father to pardon

me. I shall never forget Him any more!"

"That's right, Heidi; I am sure He will help you in time, if you only

trust in Him," the grandmother consoled her. Heidi went to her room

now and prayed earnestly to God that He would forgive her and fulfill

her wish.

The day of departure had come, but Mrs. Sesemann arranged everything

in such a way that the children hardly realized she was actually

going. Still everything was empty and quiet when she had gone, and the

children hardly knew how to pass their time.

Next day, Heidi came to Clara in the afternoon and said: "Can I

always, always read to you now, Clara?"

Clara assented, and Heidi began. But she did not get very far, for the

story she was reading told of a grandmother's death. Suddenly she

cried aloud: "Oh, now grandmother is dead!" and wept in the most

pitiful fashion. Whatever Heidi read always seemed real to her, and

now she thought it was her own grandmother at home. Louder and louder

she sobbed: "Now poor grandmother is dead and I can never see her any

more; and she never got one single roll!"

Clara attempted to explain the mistake, but Heidi was too much upset.

She pictured to herself how terrible it would be if her dear old

grandfather would die too while she was far away. How quiet and empty

it would be in the hut, and how lonely she would be!

Miss Rottenmeier had overheard the scene, and approaching the sobbing

child she said impatiently: "Adelheid, now you have screamed enough.

If I hear you again giving way to yourself in such a noisy fashion, I

shall take your book away forever!"

Heidi turned pale at that, for the book was her greatest treasure.

Quickly drying her tears, she choked down her sobs. After that Heidi

never cried again; often she could hardly repress her sobs and was

obliged to make the strangest faces to keep herself from crying out.

Clara often looked at her, full of surprise, but Miss Rottenmeier did

not notice them and found no occasion to carry out her threat.

However, the poor child got more cheerless every day, and looked so

thin and pale that Sebastian became worried. He tried to encourage her

at table to help herself to all the good dishes, but listlessly she

would let them pass and hardly touch them. In the evening she would

cry quietly, her heart bursting with longing to go home.

Thus the time passed by. Heidi never knew if it was summer or winter,

for the walls opposite never changed. They drove out very seldom, for

Clara was only able to go a short distance. They never saw anything

else than streets, houses and busy people; no grass, no fir-trees and

no mountains. Heidi struggled constantly against her sorrow, but in

vain. Autumn and winter had passed, and Heidi knew that the time was

coming when Peter would go up the Alp with his goats, where the

flowers were glistening in the sunshine and the mountains were all

afire. She would sit down in a corner of her room and put both hands

before her eyes, not to see the glaring sunshine on the opposite wall.

There she would remain, eating her heart away with longing, till Clara

would call for her to come.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: THERE SHE WOULD REMAIN, EATING HER HEART AWAY WITH

LONGING]

XII

THE SESEMANN HOUSE IS HAUNTED

For several days Miss Rottenmeier had been wandering silently about

the house. When she went from room to room or along the corridors, she

would often glance back as if she were afraid that somebody was

following her. If she had to go to the upper floor, where the gorgeous

guest-rooms were, or to the lower story, where the big ball-room was

situated, she always told Tinette to come with her. The strange thing

was, that none of the servants dared to go anywhere alone and always

found an excuse to ask each other's company, which requests were

always granted. The cook, who had been in the house for many years,

would often shake her head and mutter: "That I should live to see

this!"

Something strange and weird was happening in the house. Every

morning, when the servants came down-stairs, they found the front door

wide open. At first everybody had thought that the house must have

been robbed, but nothing was missing. Every morning it was the same,

despite the double locks that were put on the door. At last John and

Sebastian, taking courage, prepared themselves to watch through a

night to see who was the ghost. Armed and provided with some

strengthening liquor, they repaired to a room down-stairs. First they

talked, but soon, getting sleepy, they leaned silently back in their

chairs. When the clock from the old church tower struck one, Sebastian

awoke and roused his comrade, which was no easy matter. At last,

however, John was wide awake, and together they went out into the

hall. The same moment a strong wind put out the light that John held

in his hand. Rushing back, he nearly upset Sebastian, who stood behind

him, and pulling the butler back into the room, he locked the door in

furious haste. When the light was lit again, Sebastian noticed that

John was deadly pale and trembling like an aspen leaf. Sebastian, not

having seen anything, asked anxiously: "What is the matter? What did

you see?"

"The door was open and a white form was on the stairs; it went up and

was gone in a moment," gasped John. Cold shivers ran down the butler's

back. They sat without moving till the morning came, and then,

shutting the door, they went upstairs to report to the housekeeper

what they had seen. The lady, who was waiting eagerly, heard the tale

and immediately sat down to write to Mr. Sesemann. She told him that

fright had paralyzed her fingers and that terrible things were

happening in the house. Then followed a tale of the appearance of the

ghost. Mr. Sesemann replied that he could not leave his business, and

advised Miss Rottenmeier to ask his mother to come to stay with them,

for Mrs. Sesemann would easily despatch the ghost. Miss Rottenmeier

was offended with the tone of the letter, which did not seem to take

her account seriously. Mrs. Sesemann also replied that she could not

come, so the housekeeper decided to tell the children all about it.

Clara, at the uncanny tale, immediately exclaimed that she would not

stay alone another moment and that she wished her father to come home.

The housekeeper arranged to sleep with the frightened child, while

Heidi, who did not know what ghosts were, was perfectly unmoved.

Another letter was despatched to Mr. Sesemann, telling him that the

excitement might have serious effects on his daughter's delicate

constitution, and mentioning several misfortunes that might probably

happen if he did not relieve the household from this terror.

This brought Mr. Sesemann. Going to his daughter's room after his

arrival, he was overjoyed to see her as well as ever. Clara was also

delighted to see her father.

"What new tricks has the ghost played on you, Miss Rottenmeier?" asked

Mr. Sesemann with a twinkle in his eye.

"It is no joke, Mr. Sesemann," replied the lady seriously. "I am sure

you will not laugh tomorrow. Those strange events indicate that

something secret and horrible has happened in this house in days gone

by."

"Is that so? this is new to me," remarked Mr. Sesemann. "But will you

please not suspect my venerable ancestors? Please call Sebastian; I

want to speak to him alone."

Mr. Sesemann knew that the two were not on good terms, so he said to

the butler:

"Come here, Sebastian, and tell me honestly, if you have played the

ghost for Miss Rottenmeier's pastime?"

"No, upon my word, master; you must not think that," replied Sebastian

frankly. "I do not like it quite myself."

"Well, I'll show you and John what ghosts look like by day. You ought

to be ashamed of yourselves, strong young men like you! Now go at once

to my old friend, Dr. Classen, and tell him to come to me at nine

o'clock to-night. Tell him that I came from Paris especially to

consult him, and that I want him to sit up all night with me. Do you

understand me, Sebastian?"

"Yes indeed! I shall do as you say, Mr. Sesemann." Mr. Sesemann then

went up to Clara's room to quiet and comfort her.

Punctually at nine o'clock the doctor arrived. Though his hair was

grey, his face was still fresh, and his eyes were lively and kind.

When he saw his friend, he laughed aloud and said: "Well, well, you

look pretty healthy for one who needs to be watched all night."

"Have patience, my old friend," replied Mr. Sesemann. "I am afraid the

person we have to sit up for will look worse, but first we must catch

him."

"What? Then somebody _is_ sick in this house? What do you mean?"

"Far worse, doctor, far worse. A ghost is in the house. My house is

haunted."

When the doctor laughed, Mr. Sesemann continued: "I call that

sympathy; I wish my friend Miss Rottenmeier could hear you. She is

convinced that an old Sesemann is wandering about, expiating some

dreadful deed."

"How did she make his acquaintance?" asked the doctor, much amused.

Mr. Sesemann then explained the circumstances. He said that the matter

was either a bad joke which an acquaintance of the servants was

playing in his absence, or it was a gang of thieves, who, after

intimidating the people, would surely rob his house by and by.

With these explanations they entered the room where the two servants

had watched before. A few bottles of wine stood on the table and two

bright candelabra shed a brilliant light. Two revolvers were ready for

emergencies.

They left the door only partly open, for too much light might drive

the ghost away. Then, sitting down comfortably, the two men passed

their time by chatting, taking a sip now and then.

"The ghost seems to have spied us and probably won't come to-day,"

said the doctor.

"We must have patience. It is supposed to come at one," replied his

friend.

So they talked till one o'clock. Everything was quiet, and not a sound

came from the street. Suddenly the doctor raised his finger.

"Sh! Sesemann, don't you hear something?"

While they both listened, the bar was unfastened, the key was turned,

and the door flew open. Mr. Sesemann seized his revolver.

"You are not afraid, I hope?" said the doctor, getting up.

"Better be cautious!" whispered Mr. Sesemann, seizing the candelabrum

in the other hand. The doctor followed with his revolver and the

light, and so they went out into the hall.

On the threshhold stood a motionless white form, lighted up by the

moon.

"Who is there?" thundered the doctor, approaching the figure. It

turned and uttered a low shriek. There stood Heidi, with bare feet and

in her white night-gown, looking bewildered at the bright light and

the weapons. She was shaking with fear, while the two men were looking

at her in amazement.

"Sesemann, this seems to be your little water carrier," said the

doctor.

"Child, what does this mean?" asked Mr. Sesemann. "What did you want

to do? Why have you come down here?"

Pale from fright, Heidi said: "I do not know."

The doctor came forward now. "Sesemann, this case belongs to my field.

Please go and sit down while I take her to bed."

Putting his revolver aside, he led the trembling child up-stairs.

"Don't be afraid; just be quiet! Everything is all right; don't be

frightened."

When they had arrived in Heidi's room, the doctor put the little girl

to bed, covering her up carefully. Drawing a chair near the couch, he

waited till Heidi had calmed down and had stopped trembling. Then

taking her hand in his, he said kindly: "Now everything is all right

again. Tell me where you wanted to go?"

"I did not want to go anywhere," Heidi assured him; "I did not go

myself, only I was there all of a sudden."

"Really! Tell me, what did you dream?"

"Oh, I have the same dream every night. I always think I am with my

grandfather again and can hear the fir-trees roar. I always think how

beautiful the stars must be, and then I open the door of the hut, and

oh, it is so wonderful! But when I wake up I am always in Frankfurt."

Heidi had to fight the sobs that were rising in her throat.

"Does your back or your head hurt you, child?"

"No, but I feel as if a big stone was pressing me here."

"As if you had eaten something that disagreed with you?"

"Oh no, but as if I wanted to cry hard."

"So, and then you cry out, don't you?"

"Oh no, I must never do that, for Miss Rottenmeier has forbidden it."

"Then you swallow it down? Yes? Do you like to be here?"

"Oh yes," was the faint, uncertain reply.

"Where did you live with your grandfather?"

"Up on the Alp."

"But wasn't it a little lonely there?"

"Oh no, it was so beautiful!"--But Heidi could say no more. The

recollection, the excitement of the night and all the restrained

sorrow overpowered the child. The tears rushed violently from her eyes

and she broke out into loud sobs.

The doctor rose, and soothing her, said: "It won't hurt to cry; you'll

go to sleep afterward, and when you wake up everything will come

right." Then he left the room.

Joining his anxious friend down-stairs, he said: "Sesemann, the little

girl is a sleep-walker, and has unconsciously scared your whole

household. Besides, she is so home-sick that her little body has

wasted away. We shall have to act quickly. The only remedy for her is

to be restored to her native mountain air. This is my prescription,

and she must go tomorrow."

"What, sick, a sleep-walker, and wasted away in my house! Nobody even

suspected it! You think I should send this child back in this

condition, when she has come in good health? No, doctor, ask

everything but that. Take her in hand and prescribe for her, but let

her get well before I send her back."

"Sesemann," the doctor replied seriously, "just think what you are

doing. We cannot cure her with powders and pills. The child has not a

strong constitution, and if you keep her here, she might never get

well again. If you restore her to the bracing mountain air to which

she is accustomed, she probably will get perfectly well again."

When Mr. Sesemann heard this he said, "If that is your advice, we must

act at once; this is the only way then." With these words Mr. Sesemann

took his friend's arm and walked about with him to talk the matter

over. When everything was settled, the doctor took his leave, for the

morning had already come and the sun was shining in through the door.

XIII

UP THE ALP ON A SUMMER EVENING

Mr. Sesemann, going upstairs in great agitation, knocked at the

housekeeper's door. He asked her to hurry, for preparations for a

journey had to be made. Miss Rottenmeier obeyed the summons with the

greatest indignation, for it was only half-past four in the morning.

She dressed in haste, though with great difficulty, being nervous and

excited. All the other servants were summoned likewise, and one and

all thought that the master of the house had been seized by the ghost

and that he was ringing for help. When they had all come down with

terrified looks, they were most surprised to see Mr. Sesemann fresh

and cheerful, giving orders. John was sent to get the horses ready and

Tinette was told to prepare Heidi for her departure while Sebastian

was commissioned to fetch Heidi's aunt. Mr. Sesemann instructed the

housekeeper to pack a trunk in all haste for Heidi.

Miss Rottenmeier experienced an extreme disappointment, for she had

hoped for an explanation of the great mystery. But Mr. Sesemann,

evidently not in the mood to converse further, went to his daughter's

room. Clara had been wakened by the unusual noises and was listening

eagerly. Her father told her of what had happened and how the doctor

had ordered Heidi back to her home, because her condition was serious

and might get worse. She might even climb the roof, or be exposed to

similar dangers, if she was not cured at once.

Clara was painfully surprised and tried to prevent her father from

carrying out his plan. He remained firm, however, promising to take

her to Switzerland himself the following summer, if she was good and

sensible now. So the child, resigning herself, begged to have Heidi's

trunk packed in her room. Mr. Sesemann encouraged her to get together

a good outfit for her little friend.

Heidi's aunt had arrived in the meantime. Being told to take her niece

home with her, she found no end of excuses, which plainly showed that

she did not want to do it; for Deta well remembered the uncle's

parting words. Mr. Sesemann dismissed her and summoned Sebastian. The

butler was told to get ready for travelling with the child. He was to

go to Basle that day and spend the night at a good hotel which his

master named. The next day the child was to be brought to her home.

"Listen, Sebastian," Mr. Sesemann said, "and do exactly as I tell you.

I know the Hotel in Basle, and if you show my card they will give you

good accommodations. Go to the child's room and barricade the windows,

so that they can only be opened by the greatest force. When Heidi has

gone to bed, lock the door from outside, for the child walks in her

sleep and might come to harm in the strange hotel. She might get up

and open the door; do you understand?"

"Oh!--Oh!--So it was she?" exclaimed the butler.

"Yes, it was! You are a coward, and you can tell John he is the same.

Such foolish men, to be afraid!" With that Mr. Sesemann went to his

room to write a letter to Heidi's grandfather.

Sebastian, feeling ashamed, said to himself that he ought to have

resisted John and found out alone.

Heidi was dressed in her Sunday frock and stood waiting for further

commands.

Mr. Sesemann called her now. "Good-morning, Mr. Sesemann," Heidi said

when she entered.

"What do you think about it, little one?" he asked her. Heidi looked

up to him in amazement.

"You don't seem to know anything about it," laughed Mr. Sesemann.

Tinette had not even told the child, for she thought it beneath her

dignity to speak to the vulgar Heidi.

"You are going home to-day."

"Home?" Heidi repeated in a low voice. She had to gasp, so great was

her surprise.

"Wouldn't you like to hear something about it?" asked Mr. Sesemann

smiling.

"Oh yes, I should like to," said the blushing child.

"Good, good," said the kind gentleman. "Sit down and eat a big

breakfast now, for you are going away right afterwards."

The child could not even swallow a morsel, though she tried to eat out

of obedience. It seemed to her as if it was only a dream.

"Go to Clara, Heidi, till the carriage comes," Mr. Sesemann said

kindly.

Heidi had been wishing to go, and now she ran to Clara's room, where a

huge trunk was standing.

"Heidi, look at the things I had packed for you. Do you like them?"

Clara asked.

There were a great many lovely things in it, but Heidi jumped for joy

when she discovered a little basket with twelve round white rolls for

the grandmother. The children had forgotten that the moment for

parting had come, when the carriage was announced. Heidi had to get

all her own treasures from her room yet. The grandmama's book was

carefully packed, and the red shawl that Miss Rottenmeier had

purposely left behind. Then putting on her pretty hat, she left her

room to say good-bye to Clara. There was not much time left to do so,

for Mr. Sesemann was waiting to put Heidi in the carriage. When Miss

Rottenmeier, who was standing on the stairs to bid farewell to her

pupil, saw the red bundle in Heidi's hand, she seized it and threw it

on the ground. Heidi looked imploringly at her kind protector, and Mr.

Sesemann, seeing how much she treasured it, gave it back to her. The

happy child at parting thanked him for all his goodness. She also sent

a message of thanks to the good old doctor, whom she suspected to be

the real cause of her going.

While Heidi was being lifted into the carriage, Mr. Sesemann assured

her that Clara and he would never forget her. Sebastian followed with

Heidi's basket and a large bag with provisions. Mr. Sesemann called

out: "Happy journey!" and the carriage rolled away.

Only when Heidi was sitting in the train did she become conscious of

where she was going. She knew now that she would really see her

grandfather and the grandmother again, also Peter and the goats. Her

only fear was that the poor blind grandmother might have died while

she was away.

The thing she looked forward to most was giving the soft white rolls

to the grandmother. While she was musing over all these things, she

fell asleep. In Basle she was roused by Sebastian, for there they were

to spend the night.

The next morning they started off again, and it took them many hours

before they reached Mayenfeld. When Sebastian stood on the platform of

the station, he wished he could have travelled further in the train

rather than have to climb a mountain. The last part of the trip might

be dangerous, for everything seemed half-wild in this country. Looking

round, he discovered a small wagon with a lean horse. A

broad-shouldered man was just loading up large bags, which had come by

the train. Sebastian, approaching the man, asked some information

concerning the least dangerous ascent to the Alp. After a while it was

settled that the man should take Heidi and her trunk to the village

and see to it that somebody would go up with her from there.

Not a word had escaped Heidi, until she now said, "I can go up alone

from the village. I know the road." Sebastian felt relieved, and

calling Heidi to him, presented her with a heavy roll of bills and a

letter for the grandfather. These precious things were put at the

bottom of the basket, under the rolls, so that they could not possibly

get lost.

Heidi promised to be careful of them, and was lifted up to the cart.

The two old friends shook hands and parted, and Sebastian, with a

slightly bad conscience for having deserted the child so soon, sat

down on the station to wait for a returning train.

The driver was no other than the village baker, who had never seen

Heidi but had heard a great deal about her. He had known her parents

and immediately guessed she was the child who had lived with the

Alm-Uncle. Curious to know why she came home again, he began a

conversation.

"Are you Heidi, the child who lived with the Alm-Uncle?"

"Yes."

"Why are you coming home again? Did you get on badly?"

"Oh no; nobody could have got on better than I did in Frankfurt."

"Then why are you coming back?"

"Because Mr. Sesemann let me come."

"Pooh! why didn't you stay?"

"Because I would rather be with my grandfather on the Alp than

anywhere on earth."

"You may think differently when you get there," muttered the baker.

"It is strange though, for she must know," he said to himself.

They conversed no more, and Heidi began to tremble with excitement

when she recognized all the trees on the road and the lofty peaks of

the mountains. Sometimes she felt as if she could not sit still any

longer, but had to jump down and run with all her might. They arrived

at the village at the stroke of five. Immediately a large group of

women and children surrounded the cart, for the trunk and the little

passenger had attracted everybody's notice. When Heidi had been lifted

down, she found herself held and questioned on all sides. But when

they saw how frightened she was, they let her go at last. The baker

had to tell of Heidi's arrival with the strange gentleman, and assured

all the people that Heidi loved her grandfather with all her heart,

let the people say what they would about him.

Heidi, in the meantime, was running up the path; from time to time she

was obliged to stop, for her basket was heavy and she lost her

breath. Her one idea was: "If only grandmother still sits in her

corner by her spinning wheel!--Oh, if she should have died!" When the

child caught sight of the hut at last, her heart began to beat. The

quicker she ran, the more it beat, but at last she tremblingly opened

the door. She ran into the middle of the room, unable to utter one

tone, she was so out of breath.

"Oh God," it sounded from one corner, "our Heidi used to come in like

that. Oh, if I just could have her again with me before I die. Who has

come?"

"Here I am! grandmother, here I am!" shouted the child, throwing

herself on her knees before the old woman. She seized her hands and

arms and snuggling up to her did not for joy utter one more word. The

grandmother had been so surprised that she could only silently caress

the child's curly hair over and over again. "Yes, yes," she said at

last, "this is Heidi's hair, and her beloved voice. Oh my God, I thank

Thee for this happiness." Out of her blind eyes big tears of joy fell

down on Heidi's hand. "Is it really you, Heidi? Have you really come

again?"

"Yes, yes, grandmother," the child replied. "You must not cry, for I

have come and will never leave you any more. Now you won't have to eat

hard black bread any more for a little while. Look what I have brought

you."

Heidi put one roll after another into the grandmother's lap.

"Ah, child, what a blessing you bring to me!" the old woman cried.

"But you are my greatest blessing yourself, Heidi!" Then, caressing

the child's hair and flushed cheeks, she entreated: "Just say one more

word, that I may hear your voice."

While Heidi was talking, Peter's mother arrived, and exclaimed in her

amazement: "Surely, this is Heidi. But how can that be?"

The child rose to shake hands with Brigida, who could not get over

Heidi's splendid frock and hat.

"You can have my hat, I don't want it any more; I have my old one

still," Heidi said, pulling out her old crushed straw hat. Heidi had

remembered her grandfather's words to Deta about her feather hat; that

was why she had kept her old hat so carefully. Brigida at last

accepted the gift after a great many remonstrances. Suddenly Heidi

took off her pretty dress and tied her old shawl about her. Taking the

grandmother's hand, she said: "Good-bye, I must go home to grandfather

now, but I shall come again tomorrow. Good-night, grandmother."

"Oh, please come again to-morrow, Heidi," implored the old woman,

while she held her fast.

"Why did you take your pretty dress off?" asked Brigida.

"I'd rather go to grandfather that way, or else he might not know me

any more, the way you did."

Brigida accompanied the child outside and said mysteriously: "He would

have known you in your frock; you ought to have kept it on. Please be

careful, child, for Peter tells us that the uncle never says a word

to anyone and always seems so angry." But Heidi was unconcerned, and

saying good-night, climbed up the path with the basket on her arm. The

evening sun was shining down on the grass before her. Every few

minutes Heidi stood still to look at the mountains behind her.

Suddenly she looked back and beheld such glory as she had not even

seen in her most vivid dream. The rocky peaks were flaming in the

brilliant light, the snow-fields glowed and rosy clouds were floating

overhead. The grass was like an expanse of gold, and below her the

valley swam in golden mist. The child stood still, and in her joy and

transport tears ran down her cheeks. She folded her hands, and looking

up to heaven, thanked the Lord that He had brought her home again. She

thanked Him for restoring her to her beloved mountains,--in her

happiness she could hardly find words to pray. Only when the glow had

subsided, was Heidi able to follow the path again.

[Illustration: THROWING HERSELF IN HER GRANDFATHER'S ARMS, SHE HELD

HIM TIGHT]

She climbed so fast that she could soon discover, first the tree-tops,

then the roof, finally the hut. Now she could see her grandfather

sitting on his bench, smoking a pipe. Above the cottage the fir-trees

gently swayed and rustled in the evening breeze. At last she had

reached the hut, and throwing herself in her grandfather's arms, she

hugged him and held him tight. She could say nothing but "Grandfather!

grandfather! grandfather!" in her agitation.

The old man said nothing either, but his eyes were moist, and

loosening Heidi's arms at last, he sat her on his knee. When he had

looked at her a while, he said: "So you have come home again, Heidi?

Why? You certainly do not look very cityfied! Did they send you away?"

"Oh no, you must not think that, grandfather. They all were so good to

me; Clara, Mr. Sesemann and grandmama. But grandfather, sometimes I

felt as if I could not bear it any longer to be away from you! I

thought I should choke; I could not tell any one, for that would have

been ungrateful. Suddenly, one morning Mr. Sesemann called me very

early, I think it was the doctor's fault and--but I think it is

probably written in this letter;" with that Heidi brought the letter

and the bank-roll from her basket, putting them on her grandfather's

lap.

"This belongs to you," he said, laying the roll beside him. Having

read the letter, he put it in his pocket.

"Do you think you can still drink milk with me, Heidi?" he asked,

while he stepped into the cottage. "Take your money with you, you can

buy a bed for it and clothes for many years."

"I don't need it at all, grandfather," Heidi assured him; "I have a

bed and Clara has given me so many dresses that I shan't need any more

all my life."

"Take it and put it in the cupboard, for you will need it some day."

Heidi obeyed, and danced around the hut in her delight to see all the

beloved things again. Running up to the loft, she exclaimed in great

disappointment: "Oh grandfather, my bed is gone."

"It will come again," the grandfather called up from below; "how could

I know that you were coming back? Get your milk now!"

Heidi, coming down, took her old seat. She seized her bowl and emptied

it eagerly, as if it was the most wonderful thing she had ever tasted.

"Grandfather, our milk is the best in all the world."

Suddenly Heidi, hearing a shrill whistle, rushed outside, as Peter and

all his goats came racing down. Heidi greeted the boy, who stopped,

rooted to the spot, staring at her. Then she ran into the midst of her

beloved friends, who had not forgotten her either. Schwänli and Bärli

bleated for joy, and all her other favorites pressed near to her.

Heidi was beside herself with joy, and caressed little Snowhopper and

patted Thistlefinch, till she felt herself pushed to and fro among

them.

"Peter, why don't you come down and say good-night to me?" Heidi

called to the boy.

"Have you come again?" he exclaimed at last. Then he took Heidi's

proffered hand and asked her, as if she had been always there: "Are

you coming up with me to-morrow?"

"No, to-morrow I must go to grandmother, but perhaps the day after."

Peter had a hard time with his goats that day, for they would not

follow him. Over and over again they came back to Heidi, till she

entered the shed with Bärli and Schwänli and shut the door.

When Heidi went up to her loft to sleep, she found a fresh, fragrant

bed waiting for her; and she slept better that night than she had for

many, many months, for her great and burning longing had been

satisfied. About ten times that night the grandfather rose from his

couch to listen to Heidi's quiet breathing. The window was filled up

with hay, for from now on the moon was not allowed to shine on Heidi

any more. But Heidi slept quietly, for she had seen the flaming

mountains and had heard the fir-trees roar.

XIV

ON SUNDAY WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING

Heidi was standing under the swaying fir-trees, waiting for her

grandfather to join her. He had promised to bring up her trunk from

the village while she went in to visit the grandmother. The child was

longing to see the blind woman again and to hear how she had liked the

rolls. It was Saturday, and the grandfather had been cleaning the

cottage. Soon he was ready to start. When they had descended and Heidi

entered Peter's hut, the grandmother called lovingly to her: "Have you

come again, child?"

She took hold of Heidi's hand and held it tight. Grandmother then told

the little visitor how good the rolls had tasted, and how much

stronger she felt already. Brigida related further that the

grandmother had only eaten a single roll, being so afraid to finish

them too soon. Heidi had listened attentively, and said now:

"Grandmother, I know what I shall do. I am going to write to Clara and

she'll surely send me a whole lot more."

But Brigida remarked: "That is meant well, but they get hard so soon.

If I only had a few extra pennies, I could buy some from our baker. He

makes them too, but I am hardly able to pay for the black bread."

Heidi's face suddenly shone. "Oh, grandmother, I have an awful lot of

money," she cried. "Now I know what I'll do with it. Every day you

must have a fresh roll and two on Sundays. Peter can bring them up

from the village."

"No, no, child," the grandmother implored. "That must not be. You must

give it to grandfather and he'll tell you what to do with it."

But Heidi did not listen but jumped gaily about the little room,

calling over and over again: "Now grandmother can have a roll every

day. She'll get well and strong, and," she called with fresh delight,

"maybe your eyes will see again, too, when you are strong and well."

The grandmother remained silent, not to mar the happiness of the

child. Seeing the old hymn-book on the shelf, Heidi said:

"Grandmother, shall I read you a song from your book now? I can read

quite nicely!" she added after a pause.

"Oh yes, I wish you would, child. Can you really read?"

Heidi, climbing on a chair, took down the dusty book from a shelf.

After she had carefully wiped it off, she sat down on a stool.

"What shall I read, grandmother?"

"Whatever you want to," was the reply. Turning the pages, Heidi found

a song about the sun, and decided to read that aloud. More and more

eagerly she read, while the grandmother, with folded arms, sat in her

chair. An expression of indescribable happiness shone in her

countenance, though tears were rolling down her cheeks. When Heidi

had repeated the end of the song a number of times, the old woman

exclaimed: "Oh, Heidi, everything seems bright to me again and my

heart is light. Thank you, child, you have done me so much good."

Heidi looked enraptured at the grandmother's face, which had changed

from an old, sorrowful expression to a joyous one.

She seemed to look up gratefully, as if she could already behold the

lovely, celestial gardens told of in the hymn.

Soon the grandfather knocked on the window, for it was time to go.

Heidi followed quickly, assuring the grandmother that she would visit

her every day now; on the days she went up to the pasture with Peter,

she would return in the early afternoon, for she did not want to miss

the chance to make the grandmother's heart joyful and light. Brigida

urged Heidi to take her dress along, and with it on her arm the child

joined the old man and immediately told him what had happened.

On hearing of her plan to purchase rolls for the grandmother every

day, the grandfather reluctantly consented.

At this the child gave a bound, shouting: "Oh grandfather, now

grandmother won't ever have to eat hard, black bread any more. Oh,

everything is so wonderful now! If God Our Father had done immediately

what I prayed for, I should have come home at once and could not have

brought half as many rolls to grandmother. I should not have been able

to read either. Grandmama told me that God would make everything much

better than I could ever dream. I shall always pray from now on, the

way grandmama taught me. When God does not give me something I pray

for, I shall always remember how everything has worked out for the

best this time. We'll pray every day, grandfather, won't we, for

otherwise God might forget us."

"And if somebody should forget to do it?" murmured the old man.

"Oh, he'll get on badly, for God will forget him, too. If he is

unhappy and wretched, people don't pity him, for they will say: 'he

went away from God, and now the Lord, who alone can help him, has no

pity on him'."

"Is that true, Heidi? Who told you so?"

"Grandmama explained it all to me."

After a pause the grandfather said: "Yes, but if it has happened, then

there is no help; nobody can come back to the Lord, when God has once

forgotten him."

"But grandfather, everybody can come back to Him; grandmama told me

that, and besides there is the beautiful story in my book. Oh,

grandfather, you don't know it yet, and I shall read it to you as soon

as we get home."

The grandfather had brought a big basket with him, in which he carried

half the contents of Heidi's trunk; it had been too large to be

conveyed up the steep ascent. Arriving at the hut and setting down his

load, he had to sit beside Heidi, who was ready to begin the tale.

With great animation Heidi read the story of the prodigal son, who

was happy at home with his father's cows and sheep. The picture showed

him leaning on his staff, watching the sunset. "Suddenly he wanted to

have his own inheritance, and be able to be his own master. Demanding

the money from his father, he went away and squandered all. When he

had nothing in the world left, he had to go as servant to a peasant,

who did not own fine cattle like his father, but only swine; his

clothes were rags, and for food he only got the husks on which the

pigs were fed. Often he would think what a good home he had left, and

when he remembered how good his father had been to him and his own

ungratefulness, he would cry from repentance and longing. Then he said

to himself: 'I shall go to my father and ask his forgiveness.' When he

approached his former home, his father came out to meet him--"

"What do you think will happen now?" Heidi asked. "You think that the

father is angry and will say: 'Didn't I tell you?' But just listen:

'And his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his

neck. And the son said: Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in

Thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son. But the father

said to his servants: Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and

put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the

fatted calf and kill it; and let us eat and be merry: For this my son

was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they

began to be merry."

"Isn't it a beautiful story, grandfather?" asked Heidi, when he sat

silently beside her.

"Yes, Heidi, it is," said the grandfather, but so seriously that Heidi

quietly looked at the pictures. "Look how happy he is," she said,

pointing to it.

A few hours later, when Heidi was sleeping soundly, the old man

climbed up the ladder. Placing a little lamp beside the sleeping

child, he watched her a long, long time. Her little hands were folded

and her rosy face looked confident and peaceful. The old man now

folded his hands and said in a low voice, while big tears rolled down

his cheeks: "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and Thee, and am no

more worthy to be Thy son!"

The next morning found the uncle standing before the door, looking

about him over valley and mountain. A few early bells sounded from

below and the birds sang their morning anthems.

Re-entering the house, he called: "Heidi, get up! The sun is shining!

Put on a pretty dress, for we are going to church!"

That was a new call, and Heidi obeyed quickly. When the child came

downstairs in her smart little frock, she opened her eyes wide. "Oh,

grandfather!" she exclaimed, "I have never seen you in your Sunday

coat with the silver buttons. Oh, how fine you look!"

The old man, turning to the child, said with a smile: "You look nice,

too; come now!" With Heidi's hand in his they wandered down together.

The nearer they came to the village, the louder and richer the bells

resounded. "Oh grandfather, do you hear it? It seems like a big, high

feast," said Heidi.

When they entered the church, all the people were singing. Though they

sat down on the last bench behind, the people had noticed their

presence and whispered it from ear to ear. When the pastor began to

preach, his words were a loud thanksgiving that moved all his hearers.

After the service the old man and the child walked to the parsonage.

The clergyman had opened the door and received them with friendly

words. "I have come to ask your forgiveness for my harsh words," said

the uncle. "I want to follow your advice to spend the winter here

among you. If the people look at me askance, I can't expect any

better. I am sure, Mr. Pastor, you will not do so."

[Illustration: WITH HEIDI'S HAND IN HIS THEY WANDERED DOWN

TOGETHER]

The pastor's friendly eyes sparkled, and with many a kind word he

commended the uncle for this change, and putting his hand on Heidi's

curly hair, ushered them out. Thus the people, who had been all

talking together about this great event, could see that their

clergyman shook hands with the old man. The door of the parsonage was

hardly shut, when the whole assembly came forward with outstretched

hands and friendly greetings. Great seemed to be their joy at the old

man's resolution; some of the people even accompanied him on his

homeward way. When they had parted at last, the uncle looked after

them with his face shining as with an inward light. Heidi looked up to

him and said: "Grandfather, you have never looked so beautiful!"

"Do you think so, child?" he said with a smile. "You see, Heidi, I am

more happy than I deserve; to be at peace with God and men makes one's

heart feel light. God has been good to me, to send you back."

When they arrived at Peter's hut, the grandfather opened the door and

entered. "How do you do, grandmother," he called out. "I think we

must start to mend again, before the fall wind comes."

"Oh my God, the uncle!" exclaimed the grandmother in joyous surprise.

"How happy I am to be able to thank you for what you have done, uncle!

Thank you, God bless you for it."

With trembling joy the grandmother shook hands with her old friend.

"There is something else I want to say to you, uncle," she continued.

"If I have ever hurt you in any way, do not punish me. Do not let

Heidi go away again before I die. I cannot tell you what Heidi means

to me!" So saying, she held the clinging child to her.

"No danger of that, grandmother, I hope we shall all stay together now

for many years to come."

Brigida now showed Heidi's feather hat to the old man and asked him to

take it back. But the uncle asked her to keep it, since Heidi had

given it to her.

"What blessings this child has brought from Frankfurt," Brigida said.

"I often wondered if I should not send our little Peter too. What do

you think, uncle?"

The uncle's eyes sparkled with fun, when he replied: "I am sure it

would not hurt Peter; nevertheless I should wait for a fitting

occasion before I sent him."

The next moment Peter himself arrived in great haste. He had a letter

for Heidi, which had been given to him in the village. What an event,

a letter for Heidi! They all sat down at the table while the child

read it aloud. The letter was from Clara Sesemann, who wrote that

everything had got so dull since Heidi left. She said that she could

not stand it very long, and therefore her father had promised to take

her to Ragatz this coming fall. She announced that Grandmama was

coming too, for she wanted to see Heidi and her grandfather.

Grandmama, having heard about the rolls, was sending some coffee, too,

so that the grandmother would not have to eat them dry. Grandmama

also insisted on being taken to the grandmother herself when she came

on her visit.

Great was the delight caused by this news, and what with all the

questions and plans that followed, the grandfather himself forgot how

late it was. This happy day, which had united them all, caused the old

woman to say at parting: "The most beautiful thing of all, though, is

to be able to shake hands again with an old friend, as in days gone

by; it is a great comfort to find again, what we have treasured. I

hope you'll come soon again, uncle. I am counting on the child for

tomorrow."

This promise was given. While Heidi and her grandfather were on their

homeward path, the peaceful sound of evening bells accompanied them.

At last they reached the cottage, which seemed to glow in the evening

light.