‘Just the man we want,’ declared Mr Sesemann. ‘Come and sit down, and have a cup of coffee. You’ll be able to clear things up for me, I’m sure. Tell me plainly what you think of my daughter’s little companion. What’s all this about her bringing animals into the house? Do you think she’s at all odd?’
The tutor began to explain in his roundabout fashion that he had only come to say how glad he was that Mr Sesemann had returned safely, but the compliments were waved aside. Mr Sesemann wanted a quick answer to his questions. But still Mr Usher began his explanations, as though he was something which had been wound up and had to go on till the works ran down.
‘If I am to express an opinion about the young person,’ he said, ‘I should like first of all to emphasize that, though she may be backward in some respects as a result of a rather neglected — or perhaps I should say late — education, and because of her prolonged sojourn in the mountains, which of course could be beneficial in itself, if not of too long duration…’
‘My dear Mr Usher,’ interrupted Mr Sesemann, ‘don’t bother about such details. Just tell me whether you have been alarmed by her bringing animals into the house and what you think of her in general as a companion for my daughter.’
‘I should not like to say anything against the child,’ Mr Usher replied carefully, ‘for if, on the one hand, her conduct is somewhat unconventional as a result of her primitive way of life before she came to Frankfurt, this change is for her, I make bold to say, undoubtedly important and…’
Mr Sesemann got up. ‘Excuse me, Mr Usher, don’t let me disturb you, but I must just get back to my daughter.’ He hurried out and did not return, but went to the study and sat down beside Clara. Heidi stood up when he entered the room and as he wanted her out of the way for a few minutes, he said:
‘My dear, will you go and fetch me — now whatever was it I wanted? — oh yes, a glass of water.’
‘Fresh water?’
‘Yes, fresh cold water.’ Heidi vanished.
He pulled his chair closer to his daughter and stroked her hand. ‘Now Clara dear, I want you to tell me about these animals your little playmate has been bringing into the house, and why does Miss Rottenmeier think she is not quite right in the head?’
Clara told him just what had happened, about the tortoise and the kittens, the rolls and everything. When she had finished, her father laughed heartily.
‘Well well, then you don’t want me to send her home, Clara? You’re not tired of her?’
‘Oh no, Papa,’ she cried. ‘Since Heidi’s been here, delightful things have happened nearly every day. It’s much more amusing, and she tells me all sorts of interesting things.’
‘That’s all right then. And here comes your little friend. Have you brought me nice cold water, my dear?’
‘Straight from the fountain,’ said Heidi, handing it to him.
‘But you didn’t go to the fountain all by yourself?’ said Clara.
‘Yes I did. And I had to go a long way, because there were so many people round the first two fountains that I had to go on to the next street and fetch it from there. And I met a gentleman with white hair and he sent his kind regards to Mr Sesemann.’
‘Well, you’ve had quite a journey,’ said Mr Sesemann with a smile. ‘I wonder who the gentleman was.’
‘He stopped by the fountain and said, “As you’ve got a glass, please give me a drink. Who are you fetching the water for?” And I said, “For Mr Sesemann.” Then he laughed and said he hoped you would enjoy it.’
‘Describe him to us,’ said Mr Sesemann.
‘He had a nice smile, and wore a thick gold chain with a gold thing hanging on it which had a red stone in the middle. And he had a stick with a horse’s head handle.’
‘The doctor,’ cried Clara and her father with one voice, and he smiled at the thought of what his old friend would have to say about this unusual search for water to quench his thirst.
That evening, he told Miss Rottenmeier, as they were discussing household matters, that Heidi was to stay. ‘The child seems perfectly normal and Clara loves having her here,’ he explained. ‘You mustn’t regard her funny little ways as faults, and I want you, please, to make sure that she’s always kindly treated. If you find her too much to manage on your own — well, you’ll have some help soon for my mother will be coming for her usual long visit and she can manage anyone, as you know.’
‘Yes indeed, Mr Sesemann,’ replied Miss Rottenmeier, rather crestfallen, for she did not particularly relish this news.
Mr Sesemann was only at home a fortnight, then had to go to Paris on business. Clara was very disappointed that he could not stay longer, and to cheer her up he told her about her grandmother’s promised visit, and almost as soon as he had left, a letter came to say that old Mrs Sesemann was on her way, and would arrive on the following day. She asked for the carriage to be sent to fetch her from the station.
Clara was delighted, and talked so much about Grandmamma that Heidi began to speak of her as Grand‐mamma too. Miss Rottenmeier frowned when she heard her, but the little girl was so used to seeing disapproval on that face that she did not pay much attention to it. But as she was going to bed that night, Miss Rottenmeier called her and told her she was never to address Mrs Sesemann as ‘Grandmamma’. ‘You must call her “Gracious Madam”. Do you understand?’ Heidi was puzzled, but encountered such a forbidding look in the lady’s eye that she did not like to ask her why.
10
Grandmamma’s Visit
Next day everyone was very busy preparing for the expected guest. It was easy to see that she was an important person in that household and was accustomed to being treated as such. Tinette put on a nice new cap in her honour. Sebastian collected all the footstools he could find and put them in convenient places so that she would find one ready wherever she sat down. Miss Rotten‐meier fussed about the place, inspecting everything, as though determined to show her authority and that she did not mean to be deprived of any of it by the new arrival.
As the carriage came rolling up to the front door, Sebastian and Tinette ran downstairs. Miss Rottenmeier followed in a more dignified fashion to receive the guest. Heidi had been told to stay in her room until she was sent for, so that Clara and her grandmother could have a little while alone. So Heidi sat there, quietly saying over to herself the words with which she had been told to address the old lady. They sounded so strange to her that she rearranged them, thinking Miss Rottenmeier must surely have made a mistake, and that ‘Madam’ must come first. Before long Tinette stuck her head round the door, and said sharply, ‘You’re to go to the study.’
Heidi did as she was told, and as she came into the room, Mrs Sesemann said in a friendly voice, ‘Come over here, my dear, and let me have a good look at you.’
Heidi went to her and said clearly and carefully, ‘Good evening, Madam Gracious.’
‘What was that?’ laughed the old lady. ‘Is that how you address people up in the mountains?’
‘No, no one’s called that at home,’ said Heidi gravely.
‘Nor here either. In the nursery I’m always just “Grand‐mamma” and that’s what you shall call me too. You’ll remember that all right, won’t you?’
‘Yes, I’ve used that name.’
‘Good,’ said Grandmamma, with an understanding nod, patting her cheek. Then she looked closely at her and nodded again, liking what she saw, for the child’s eyes were grave and steady as they looked back, and Heidi saw such a kind expression on the old lady’s face that she loved her at once. Indeed everything about Grandmamma was delightful to Heidi. She had pretty white hair and wore a dainty lace cap, with two broad ribbons which fluttered behind, as though there was always a gentle breeze blowing round her. Heidi thought that specially attractive.