heidi-第34章
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y 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 brings light to the heart！ What comfort you have brought me！〃
And the old woman kept on repeating the glad words； while Heidi beamed with happiness； and she could not take her eyes away from the grandmother's face； which had never looked like that before。 It had no longer the old troubled expression； but was alight with peace and joy as if she were already looking with clear new eyes into the garden or Paradise。
Some one now knocked at the window and Heidi looked up and saw her grandfather beckoning her to come home with him。 She promised the grandmother before leaving her that she would be with her the next day； and even if she went out with Peter she would only spend half the day with him； for the thought that she might make it light and happy again for the grandmother gave her the greatest pleasure； greater even than being out on the sunny mountain with the flowers and goats。 As she was going out Brigitta ran to her with the frock and hat she had left。 Heidi put the dress over her arm； for； as she thought to herself； the grandfather had seen that before； but she obstinately refused to take back the hat； Brigitta could keep it； for she should never put it on her head again。 Heidi was so full of her morning's doings that she began at once to tell her grandfather all about them： how the white bread could be fetched every day from Dorfli if there was money for it； and how the grandmother had all at once grown stronger and happier； and light had come to her。 Then she returned to the subject of the rolls。 〃If the grandmother won't take the money； grandfather； will you give it all to me； and I can then give Peter enough every day to buy a roll and two on Sunday？〃
〃But how about the bed？〃 said her grandfather。 〃It would be nice for you to have a proper bed； and there would then be plenty for the bread。〃
But Heidi gave her grandfather no peace till he consented to do what she wanted； she slept a great deal better； she said； on her bed of hay than on her fine pillowed bed in Frankfurt。 So at last he said； 〃T
