Part 11 (1/2)
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.”