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第30节

heidi-第30节

小说: heidi 字数: 每页4000字

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ndfather; my bed's gone。〃

〃We can soon make it up again;〃 he answered her from below。 〃I did not know that you were coming back; come along now and have your milk。〃

Heidi came down; sat herself on her high stool in the old place; and then taking up her bowl drank her milk eagerly; as if she had never come across anything so delicious; and as she put down her bowl; she exclaimed; 〃Our milk tastes nicer than anything else in the world; grandfather。〃

A shrill whistle was heard outside。 Heidi darted out like a flash of lightning。 There were the goats leaping and springing among the rocks; with Peter in their midst。 When he caught sight of Heidi he stood still with astonishment and gazed speechlessly at her。 Heidi called out; 〃Good…evening; Peter;〃 and then ran in among the goats。 〃Little Swan! Little Bear! do you know me again?〃 And the animals evidently recognized her voice at once; for they began rubbing their heads against her and bleating loudly as if for joy; and as she called the other goats by name one after the other; they all came scampering towards her helter…skelter and crowding round her。 The impatient Greenfinch sprang into the air and over two of her companions in order to get nearer; and even the shy little Snowflake butted the Great Turk out of her way in quite a determined manner; which left him standing taken aback by her boldness; and lifting his beard in the air as much as to say; You see who I am。

Heidi was out of her mind with delight at being among all her old friends again; she flung her arms round the pretty little Snowflake; stroked the obstreperous Greenfinch; while she herself was thrust at from all sides by the affectionate and confiding goats; and so at last she got near to where Peter was still standing; not having yet got over his surprise。

〃Come down; Peter;〃 cried Heidi; 〃and say good…evening to me。〃

〃So you are back again?〃 he found words to say at last; and now ran down and took Heidi's hand which she was holding out in greeting; and immediately put the same question to her which he had been in the habit of doing in the old days when they returned home in the evening; 〃Will you come out with me again to…morrow?〃

〃Not to…morrow; but the day after perhaps; for to…morrow I must go down to grandmother。〃

〃I am glad you are back;〃 said Peter; while his whole face beamed with pleasure; and then he prepared to go on with his goats; but he never had had so much trouble with them before; for when at last; by coaxing and threats; he had got them all together; and Heidi had gone off with an arm over either head of her grandfather's two; the whole flock suddenly turned and ran after her。 Heidi had to go inside the stall with her two and shut the door; or Peter would never have got home that night。 When Heidi went indoors after this she found her bed already made up for her; the hay had been piled high for it and smelt deliciously; for it had only just been got in; and the grandfather had carefully spread and tucked in the clean sheets。 It was with a happy heart that Heidi lay down in it that night; and her sleep was sounder than it had been for a whole year past。 The grandfather got up at least ten times during the night and mounted the ladder to see if Heidi was all right and showing no signs of restlessness; and to feel that the hay he had stuffed into the round window was keeping the moon from shining too brightly upon her。 But Heidi did not stir; she had no need now to wander about; for the great burning longing of her heart was satisfied; she had seen the high mountains and rocks alight in the evening glow; she had heard the wind in the fir trees; she was at home again on the mountain。



CHAPTER XIV。 SUNDAY BELLS

Heidi was standing under the waving fir trees waiting for her grandfather; who was going down with her to grandmother's; and then on to Dorfli to fetch her box。 She was longing to know how grandmother had enjoyed her white bread and impatient to see and hear her again; but no time seemed weary to her now; for she could not listen long enough to the familiar voice of the trees; or drink in too much of the fragrance wafted to her from the green pastures where the golden…headed flowers were glowing in the sun; a very feast to her eyes。 The grandfather came out; gave a look round; and then called to her in a cheerful voice; 〃Well; now we can be off。〃

It was Saturday; a day when Alm…Uncle made everything clean and tidy inside and outside the house; he had devoted his morning to this work so as to be able to accompany Heidi in the afternoon; and the whole place was now as spick and span as he liked to see it。 They parted at the grandmother's cottage and Heidi ran in。 The grandmother had heard her steps approaching and greeted her as she crossed the threshold; 〃Is it you; child? Have you come again?〃

Then she took hold of Heidi's hand and held it fast in her own; for she still seemed to fear that the child might be torn from her again。 And now she had to tell Heidi how much she had enjoyed the white bread; and how much stronger she felt already for having been able to eat it; and then Peter's mother went on and said she was sure that if her mother could eat like that for a week she would get back some of her strength; but she was so afraid of coming to the end of the rolls; that she had only eaten one as yet。 Heidi listened to all Brigitta said; and sat thinking for a while。 Then she suddenly thought of a way。

〃I know; grandmother; what I will do;〃 she said eagerly; 〃I will write to Clara; and she will send me as many rolls again; if not twice as many as you have already; for I had ever such a large heap in the wardrobe; and when they were all taken away she promised to give me as many back; and she would do so I am sure。〃

〃That is a good idea;〃 said Brigitta; 〃but then; they would get hard and stale。 The baker in Dorfli makes the white rolls; and if we could get some of those he has over now and thenbut I can only just manage to pay for the black bread。〃

A further bright thought came to Heidi; and with a look of joy; 〃Oh; I have lots of money; grandmother;〃 she cried gleefully; skipping about the room in her delight; 〃and I know now what I will do with it。 You must have a fresh white roll every day; and two on Sunday; and Peter can bring them up from Dorfli。〃

〃No; no; child!〃 answered the grandmother; 〃I cannot let you do that; the money was not given to you for that purpose; you must give it to your grandfather; and he will tell you how you are to spend it。〃

But Heidi was not to be hindered in her kind intentions; and she continued to jump about; saying over and over again in a tone of exultation; 〃Now; grandmother can have a roll every day and will grow quite strong againand; Oh; grandmother;〃 she suddenly exclaimed with an increase of jubilation in her voice; 〃if you get strong everything will grow light again for you; perhaps it's only because you are weak that it is dark。〃 The grandmother said nothing; she did not wish to spoil the child's pleasure。 As she went jumping about Heidi suddenly caught sight of the grandmother's song book; and another happy idea struck her; 〃Grandmother; I can also read now; would you like me to read you one of your hymns from your old book?〃

〃Oh; yes;〃 said the grandmother; surprised and delighted; 〃but can you really read; child; really?〃

Heidi had climbed on to a chair and had already lifted down the book; bringing a cloud of dust with it; for it had lain untouched on the shelf for a long time。 Heidi wiped it; sat herself down on a stool beside the old woman; and asked her which hymn she should read。

〃What you like; child; what you like;〃 and the grandmother pushed her spinning…wheel aside and sat in eager expectation waiting for Heidi to begin。 Heidi turned over the leaves and read a line out softly to herself here and there。 At last she said;

〃Here is one about the sun; grandmother; I will read you that。〃 And Heidi began; reading with more and more warmth of expression as she went on;

     The morning breaks;       And warm and bright       The earth lies still       In the golden light   For Dawn has scattered the clouds of night。

     God's handiwork       Is seen around;       Things great and small       To His praise abound   Where are the signs of His love not found?

     All things must pass;       But God shall still       With steadfast power       His will fulfil   Sure and unshaken is His will。

     His saving grace       Will never fail;       Though grief and fear       The heart assail   O'er life's wild seas He will prevail。

     Joy shall be ours       In that garden blest;       Where after storm       We find our rest   I wait in peaceGod's time is best。


The grandmother sat with folded hands and a look of indescribable joy on her face; such as Heidi had never seen there before; although at the same time the tears were running down her cheeks。 As Heidi finished; she implored her; saying; 〃Read it once again; child; just once again。〃

And the child began again; with as much pleasure in the verses as the grandmother;

     Joy shall be ours       In that garden blest;       Where after storm       We find our rest   I wait in peaceGod's time is best。


〃Ah; Heidi; that 

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