The Beginning of a New Life

Chapter-11

The grandmamma wrote the day before her arrival to let the children know that they might expect her. Peter brought up the letter early the following morning. The grandfather and the children were already outside and the goats were awaiting him. As Peter neared the group his steps slackened and the moment he had handed the letter to Uncle he turned quickly and ran off up the mountain.
“Grandfather,” said Heidi, who was watching him with astonished eyes, “why does Peter behave like this nowadays? He always turns and shakes his head and goes off with a bound just like that.”
“God knows what problem he is facing,” answered the grandfather.
Heidi was busy cleaning the hut and putting everything in order as she wished the grandmamma to find everything clean and in good order when she arrived. Clara looked on amused and interested to watch the busy Heidi at her work. So, the morning went by and the grandmamma was expected at any minute. The children dressed themselves and went and sat together outside on the seat ready to receive her. A few hours later, the grandfather carried them indoors. Heidi jumped up from time to time to see if there was any sign of the grandmamma’s approach.
At last, she saw some men approaching the hut in the order she had expected. First, there was the guide, then the white horse with the grandmamma mounted upon it and, last of all, the porter with a heavy bundle on his back. They reached the top and the grandmamma was there looking down on the children from her horse. She saw them sitting side by side and quickly dismounted with anger and cried out in a shocked tone of voice, “Why are you not lying in your chair, Clara?”
She was surprised to see Clara healthier and graceful than ever before. She was hastening forward to embrace her when Heidi slipped down from the seat and Clara leaning on her shoulder. The two children began walking along quite coolly and naturally. Indeed, the grandmamma was surprised or rather alarmed. She could not believe her eyes but Clara was actually walking steadily and uprightly beside Heidi. The two children turned and came towards her with beaming faces and rosy cheeks. Crying she ran to them and embraced first Clara and then Heidi, and then Clara again, unable to speak for joy. Then, she caught sight of Uncle standing by the seat. She took Clara’s arm in hers. With continual expressions of delight at the fact that the child could now really walk with her, she went up to the old man. Letting go Clara’s arm she seized his hands.

“My dear Uncle! I really don’t know how to thank you. You are an angel to me. It’s only because of your caring and nursing that my child is back on her feet,” said the grandmamma with tears in her eyes.
Then, she turned towards Clara, “I cannot take my eyes off you. I must telegraph to my son in Paris and tell him he must come here at once. I won’t tell him the reason but it will be the greatest happiness he has ever known. My dear Uncle, how can I send a telegram?”
“I will fetch Peter, and he can take it for you,” replied the grandfather.
The grandmamma thanked him as she was eager to tell the news to her son as the good news should not be kept from her son a day longer than was possible. Uncle went aside a little way and blew such a resounding whistle through his fingers that he awoke a responsive echo among the rocks far overhead. Peter came running down in answer as he knew the sound of Uncle’s whistle. Peter arrived looking as white as a ghost as he thought Uncle was going to give him up. Instead, Uncle gave him a paper with something written over it and gave him some instructions. Peter quickly went off and was relieved that he was still not caught.
At the dinner, the grandmamma was given a detailed account of all that had taken place. How grandfather had made Clara try first to stand and then to move her feet a little every day. How Clara’s desire to see the flowers had induced her to take the first walk. Clara and Heidi could not get over their delight at the success of the surprise they had so carefully arranged for the grandmamma. The latter continued her astonishment.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sesemann, who had finished his business in Paris, had also been preparing a surprise. And one morning without saying a word to his mother he got into the train and started his journey to Dorfli. After a few days of journey he finally reached Dorfli. From Dorfli he set out on foot but he grew tired very soon as he was in habit of so much hard work. He had travelled only half the distance when he began to think he had taken the wrong path. He stopped and looked around to find someone to ask but didn’t find anyone. Then suddenly, he saw a boy running down towards him. He was Peter who came running down with a telegram in his hand.
He tried to stop Peter shouting and asking him about Uncle Alp’s hut. Peter didn’t care to stop and answer. He took Mr. Sesemann to be the policeman. In a panic, he dashed off the mountain so fast that he tripped off and went rolling down.
Mr. Sesemann was confused seeing his behaviour and kept seeing him rolling down until he fell into a bush. Mr. Sesemann had no option but to keep walking up the mountain. After some time, he saw the hut and the fir trees. This sight relieved his tiredness. He was chuckling to himself at the surprise he hoped to give them so soon. But that was not to be. As he stepped onto the space in front of the hut, two figures came towards him. It was a tall girl with fair hair and pink cheeks, leaning on Heidi. Mr. Sesemann suddenly stopped staring at the two children. All at once, the tears started rolling down his cheeks. The two girls approached him.
“Don’t you know me, papa?” called Clara to him, her face beaming with happiness, “Am I so altered since you saw me?”
Then, Mr. Sesemann ran to his child and clasped her in his arms.
“Are you my little Clara, really my little Clara?” he kept on saying and he clasped her in his arms again.
Now the grandmamma came up, anxious for a sight of her son’s happy face.
“You have given us a pleasant surprise, but it is nothing in comparison to what we have prepared for you,” and she gave her son an affectionate kiss as she spoke, “You should come and thank the great man who made it possible for us.”
The grandmamma led her son to introduce him to Uncle. The two men were shaking hands and Mr. Sesemann was expressing his heartfelt thanks and boundless astonishment to the old man.
Suddenly there came a little scuffling noise from behind the trees. It was Peter who was afraid to come out. Mr. Sesemann saw him and called out, “Come here, little boy. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter was too scared and he didn’t want to run any more. He had made up his mind to face the consequences of his deed. Just as he was coming forward, Mr. Sesemann noticed a bunch of flowers kept in the bushes thinking that Heidi had kept it for him as a surprise. He said to Heidi, “Were it you who did it?”
Peter did not have the courage to look up and see what he was pointing at and felt as if Uncle Alp were staring at him. He muttered, “Yes!”
“But why are you afraid of admitting it?” asked Heidi.
“Because it’s all broken and can’t be mended!” he said these words with trembling knees knocking against each other.
The grandmamma kept looking at the boy and then went near Uncle Alp and asked quietly, “Is the boy out of his mind?”
Uncle assured her that Peter was fine and a good boy and told her that he was the culprit who blew Clara’s wheel-chair and now was expecting to be punished for it.
Mrs. Sesemann was not ready to believe this. He considered Peter as a well-mannered boy. Uncle Alp always knew that it was Peter because of his strange nature towards Heidi and his hatred towards Clara. Now, he had almost admitted his guilt.
“Oh poor boy!” cried the grandmamma, “He should not be punished. We took Heidi away from him. He just wanted to have his revenge. We all react in such a way when we are angry.”
She turned and called Peter near him. She kept one hand on Peter’s shoulder to give him some comfort as he was still trembling. “You broke Clara’s chair. You didn’t know all the time that it was wrong. You decided to hide it from everyone. But God always finds out. He sees everything and punishes the sinner time to time. You have been hiding because of your fear of punishment. Isn’t that so?” asked Mrs. Sesemann, “But unknowingly, you have helped our child. It was because of your mistake that she had to walk forcibly, else she would never have imagined to stand on her feet. It was you who did something wrong and you yourself suffered. So, remember that God watches us all the time and punishes us if we are on the wrong path. Do you understand what I want to tell you?”
Peter nodded his head but he still wasn’t sure whether he was going to be punished or not. But he was surprised to know that the grandmother had decided to give him a present so that he might remember the entire thing always by seeing at it. He was expecting some terrible punishment, but instead, were getting a present. Peter felt as if a great weight was lifted up from his heart. He was relieved that the kind lady was not going to give him to the policeman. Now, his mind ran towards what he should ask the grandmamma to gift him as present. Then, he remembered about the fair that came to Mayenfeld once a year and the wonderful stalls and rides there. He kept memorizing of all the things he always wanted to do at the fair. He thought and thought. What should he choose? Then, a grand idea came to his mind, and he said, “A penny!”
Mrs. Sesemann burst out laughing at the innocence of the poor kid. She opened her purse and took out some coins and said, “I have as many pennies for you as there are weeks in the year and you can take one penny every Sunday to spend!”
Peter’s eyes grew wide hearing at this and he could not believe to what he had just heard. The old lady continued, “Yes, I promise you this. I will put it down in my will: To Peter, the goatherd, a penny for a week for lifetime!” She then turned to her son and he just nodded back making her assure that this was to be done for sure.
They all laughed for a while and Peter kept looking at them one by one. Then, he again looked at the coins in his hand to be sure he was not dreaming. He thanked the old lady and ran off the mountain jumping with joy.
After that they all sat outside. Clara was sitting holding her father’s hand when she spoke, “Papa, I will never forget what Uncle Alp and Heidi have done for me. I always keep thinking how I would replay him back?”
“I am also trying to think the same. What could I ever do to give him even half the pleasure he has given to me,” replied Mr. Sesemann.
Mr. Sesemann turned towards Uncle Alp and held his hand, “Oh Uncle! I have known no real happiness for years past. My money was of no worth to me when they were unable to make my poor child well and happy. With the help of God you have made her strong and you have given new life not only to her but also to me. Tell me, please, in what way I can show my gratitude to you. I can never repay all you have done. Tell me what I can do.”
Uncle listened to him quietly with smile on his face as he looked at the happy father and spoke, “Mr. Sesemann, I too have my share in the joy of your daughter’s recovery. My troubles are well repaid by it. I thank you for all you have said but I don’t need anything. I have enough for myself and the child as long as I live. I just have one wish. Can you fulfil it?”
“Yes, be frank to tell me what you need. I will consider myself grateful if I am able to do something for you,” replied Mr. Sesemann.
“I am growing old,” Uncle went on, “and I might not live longer. I don’t have anything to leave behind for Heidi after I have died. She has no relations except me. Can you promise me that Heidi will never have to go and earn her living among strangers? If you could promise me this then you would richly reward me for all I have done for you and your child.”
“You should not worry about this at all,” said Mr. Sesemann quickly, “I look upon the child as our own. She will be considered as one of our family members. We will never leave her among strangers to survive for her life. I will take care of her myself during my life.”
The grandmamma came forward and held Uncle Alp’s hand assuring him the safety of his child. Then, Uncle Alp and Mr. Sesemann shook hands and hugged each other warmly. Then Mrs. Sesemann went up to Heidi. Putting her arm around Heidi, she drew the child to her.

“I have a question to ask you too, dear Heidi. Tell me if there is anything you particularly wish for,” asked the grandmamma.
“Yes, there is,” answered Heidi promptly, looking up delightedly at the grandmamma.
“Then, tell me at once, dear, what it is,” asked the grandmamma.
“I want to have the bed I slept in at Frankfurt for the grandmother so that she may not have to lie with her head downhill and be hardly able to breathe.”
In her eagerness to obtain what she had set her heart upon, Heidi hardly gave herself time to get out all she had to say. She did not pause for breath till she reached the end of her sentence.
Mrs. Sesemann was delighted to hear the child’s demand. She promised her to get that bed for her within two days. Heidi was delighted and was preparing her visit to the Granny. But instead all of them decided to give a visit to the old lady.
Heidi kept jumping out of joy as she and the grandmamma walked along side by side. The grandmamma asked all about the grandmother, how she lived, and what she did, especially in the winter when it was so cold. Heidi gave her a minute account of everything. She was able to give her the exact particulars of what the grandmother had to eat. The grandmamma listened with interest and sympathy until they came to the grandmother’s.
Brigitta saw the company approaching and informed the granny. A few moments later, the door flew open and Heidi sprang across to the corner and threw her arms around the grandmother.
“Grandmother! grandmother! My bed is to be sent from Frankfurt with all the three pillows and the thick coverlid; the grandmamma says it will be here in two days,” Heidi could not get out her words quickly enough, for she was impatient to see the grandmother’s great joy at the news.
The grandmother smiled and just touched Heidi’s face to feel her excitement. Heidi also told her everything about Clara and she was happy to know that Heidi and Uncle Alp helped the poor child walk again. Grandmother met Mr. Sesemann and his mother and showed gratitude towards them for sending Heidi back to her.
At last, Mr. Sesemann and his mother started their journey downwards while Uncle carried Clara back home with Heidi.
Next morning, Mr. Sesemann returned to take Clara with him. Clara’s stay with Heidi was over and she had to return back to Frankfurt. Clara kept crying as she had fallen in love with the place. Heidi consoled her and asked Mr. Sesemann to bring her back next summer.
Mr. Sesemann was standing and talking with Uncle. Clara felt somewhat consoled by Heidi’s words, and wiped away her tears.
Clara asked Heidi to say good-bye to Peter and the goats on her behalf.
Mr. Sesemann now beckoned to the children as it was time to be off. The grandmamma’s white horse had been brought up for Clara as she was no longer obliged to be carried in a chair. Heidi ran to the far edge of the slope and continued to wave her hand to Clara until the last glimpse of the horse and the rider had disappeared.
The bed arrived a few days later. Mrs. Sesemann also sent a large parcel of warm clothes so that the grandmother might be totally protected against cold.
Uncle and Heidi lived at Dorfli during the winter in a house with large rooms and the magnificent stove. The house had artistically painted tiles. Heidi spent enough time with Peter. They kept on discussing about all the events that had taken place there last summer. Heidi was perfect in her reading skills now and her most liked job was to read hymns for the grandmother.
And every night before sleeping she thanked God for a wonderful life she was enjoying.

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