Part 15 (1/2)

”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 const.i.tution, 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 s.h.i.+ning 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 blus.h.i.+ng 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.