heidi-第42节
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rom the beginning of her life up here。 Suddenly she jumped up and ran round; for she must know what her grandfather was doing。 In front of the shed door already stood a finished new chair; and a second was in course of construction under the grandfather's skilful hand。
〃Oh; I know what these are for;〃 exclaimed Heidi in great glee。 〃We shall want them when they all come from Frankfurt。 This one is for Grandmamma; and the one you are now making is for Clara; and thenthen; there will; I suppose; have to be another;〃 continued Heidi with more hesitation in her voice; 〃or do you think; grandfather; that perhaps Fraulein Rottenmeier will not come with them?〃
〃Well; I cannot say just yet;〃 replied her grandfather; 〃but it will be safer to make one so that we can offer her a seat if she does。〃
Heidi looked thoughtfully at the plain wooden chair without arms as if trying to imagine how Fraulein Rottenmeier and a chair of this sort would suit one another。 After a few minutes' contemplation; 〃Grandfather;〃 she said; shaking her head doubtfully; 〃I don't think she would be able to sit on that。〃
〃Then we will invite her on the couch with the beautiful green turf feather…bed;〃 was her grandfather's quiet rejoinder。
While Heidi was pausing to consider what this might be there approached from above a whistling; calling; and other sounds which Heidi immediately recognised。 She ran out and found herself surrounded by her four…footed friends。 They were apparently as pleased as she was to be among the heights again; for they leaped about and bleated for joy; pushing Heidi this way and that; each anxious to express his delight with some sign of affection。 But Peter sent them flying to right and left; for he had something to give to Heidi。 When he at last got up to her he handed her a letter。
〃There!〃 he exclaimed; leaving the further explanation of the matter to Heidi herself。
〃Did some one give you this while you were out with the goats;〃 she asked; in her surprise。
〃No;〃 was the answer。
〃Where did you get it from then?
〃I found it in the dinner bag。〃
Which was true to a certain extent。 The letter to Heidi had been given him the evening before by the postman at Dorfli; and Peter had put it into his empty bag。 That morning he had stuffed his bread and cheese on the top of it; and had forgotten it when he fetched Alm…Uncle's two goats; only when he had finished his bread and cheese at mid…day and was searching in the bag for any last crumbs did he remember the letter which lay at the bottom。
Heidi read the address carefully; then she ran back to the shed holding out her letter to her grandfather in high glee。 〃From Frankfurt! from Clara! Would you like to hear it?〃
The grandfather was ready and pleased to do so; as also Peter; who had followed Heidi into the shed。 He leant his back against the door post; as he felt he could follow Heidi's reading better if firmly supported from behind; and so stood prepared to listen。
〃Dearest Heidi; Everything is packed and we shall start now in two or three days; as soon as papa himself is ready to leave; he is not coming with us as he has first to go to Paris。 The doctor comes every day; and as soon as he is inside the door; he cries; 'Off now as quickly as you can; off to the mountain。' He is most impatient about our going。 You cannot think how much he enjoyed himself when he was with you! He has called nearly every day this winter; and each time he has come in to my room and said he must tell me about everything again。 And then he sits down and describes all he did with you and the grandfather; and talks of the mountains and the flowers and of the great silence up there far above all towns and the villages; and of the fresh delicious air; and often adds; 'No one can help getting well up there。' He himself is quite a different man since his visit; and looks quite young again and happy; which he had not been for a long time before。 Oh; how I am looking forward to seeing everything and to being with you on the mountain; and to making the acquaintance of Peter and the goats。
〃I shall have first to go through a six weeks' cure at Ragatz; this the doctor has ordered; and then we shall move up to Dorfli; and every fine day I shall be carried up the mountain in my chair and spend the day with you。 Grandmamma is travelling with me and will remain with me; she also is delighted at the thought of paying you a visit。 But just imagine; Fraulein Rottenmeier refuses to come with us。 Almost every day grandmamma says to her; 'Well; how about this Swiss journey; my worthy Rottenmeier? Pray say if you really would like to come with us。' But she always thanks grandmamma very politely and says she has quite made up her mind。 I think I know what has done it: Sebastian gave such a frightful description of the mountain; of how the rocks were so overhanging and dangerous that at any minute you might fall into a crevasse; and how it was such steep climbing that you feared at every step to go slipping to the bottom; and that goats alone could make their way up without fear of being killed。 She shuddered when she heard him tell of all this; and since then she has not been so enthusiastic about Switzerland as she was before。 Fear has also taken possession of Tinette; and she also refuses to come。 So grandmamma and I will be alone; Sebastian will go with us as far as Ragatz and then return here。
〃I can hardly bear waiting till I see you again。 Good…bye; dearest Heidi; grandmamma sends you her best love and all good wishes。Your affectionate friend; 〃Clara。〃
Peter; as soon as the conclusion of the letter had been reached; left his reclining position and rushed out; twirling his stick in the air in such a reckless fashion that the frightened goats fled down the mountain before him with higher and wider leaps than usual。 Peter followed at full speed; his stick still raised in air in a menacing manner as if he was longing to vent his fury on some invisible foe。 This foe was indeed the prospect of the arrival of the Frankfurt visitors; the thought of whom filled him with exasperation。
Heidi was so full of joyful anticipation that she determined to seize the first possible moment next day to go down and tell grandmother who was coming; and also particularly who was not coming。 These details would be of great interestto her; for grandmother knew well all the persons named from Heidi's description; and had entered with deep sympathy into all that the child had told her of her life and surroundings in Frankfurt。 Heidi paid her visit in; the early afternoon; for she could now go alone again; the sun was bright in the heavens and the days were growing longer; and it was delightful to go racing down the mountain over the dry ground; with the brisk May wind blowing from behind; and speeding Heidi on her way a little more quickly than her legs alone would have carried her。
The grandmother was no longer confined to her bed。 She was back in her corner at her spinning…wheel; but there was an expression on her face of mournful anxiety。 Peter had come in the evening before brimful of anger and had told about the large party who were coming up from Frankfurt; and he did not know what other things might happen after that; and the old woman had not slept all night; pursued by the old thought of Heidi being taken from her。 Heidi ran in; and taking her little stool immediately sat down by grandmother and began eagerly pouring out all her news; growing more excited with her pleasure as she went on。 But all of a sudden she stopped short and said anxiously; 〃What is the matter; grandmother; aren't you a bit pleased with what I am telling you?〃
〃Yes; yes; of course; child; since it gives you so much pleasure;〃 she answered; trying to look more cheerful。
〃But I can see all the same that something troubles you。 Is it because you think after all that Fraulein Rottenmeier may come?〃 asked Heidi; beginning to feel anxious herself。
〃No; no! it is nothing; child;〃 said the grandmother; wishing to reassure her。 〃just give me your hand that I may feel sure you are there。 No doubt it would be the best thing for you; although I feel I could scarcely survive it。〃
〃I do not want anything of the best if you could scarcely survive it;〃 said Heidi; in such a determined tone of voice that the grandmother's fears increased as she felt sure the people from Frankfurt were coming to take Heidi back with them; since now she was well again they naturally wished to have her with them once more。 But she was anxious to hide her trouble from Heidi if possible; as the latter was so sympathetic that she might refuse perhaps to go away; and that would not be right。 She sought for help; but not for long; for she knew of only one。
〃Heidi;〃 she said; 〃there is something that would comfort me and calm my thoughts; read me the hymn beginning: 'All things will work for good。' 〃
Heidi found the place at once and read out in her clear young voice:
All things will work for good To those who trust in Me; I come with healing on my wings; To save and set thee free。
〃Yes; yes; that is just what I wanted to hear;〃 said the grandmot