HEIDI
time to time fragrant draughts of the hay-perfumed air, while Clara was charmed beyond words with Heidi’s sleeping apartment.
“It is delightful for you up here, Heidi! You can look from your bed straight into the sky, and then such a delicious smell all round you! and outside the fir trees waving and rustling! I have never seen such a pleasant, cheerful bedroom before.”
Uncle looked across at the grandmamma. “I have been thinking,” he said to her, “that if you were willing to agree to it, your little granddaughter might remain up here, and I am sure she would grow stronger. You have brought up all kinds of shawls and covers with you, and we could make up a soft bed out of them, and as to the general looking after the child, you need have no fear, for I will see to that.”
Clara and Heidi were as overjoyed at these words as if they were two birds let out of their cages, and grandmamma’s face beamed with satisfaction.
“You are indeed kind, my dear Uncle,” she exclaimed; “you give words to the thought that was in my own mind. I was only asking myself whether a stay up here might not be the very thing she wanted. But then the trouble, the inconvenience to yourself! And you speak of nursing and looking after her as if it was a mere nothing! I thank you sincerely, I thank you from my whole heart, Uncle.” And she took his hand and gave it a long and grateful shake, which he returned with a pleased expression of countenance.
Uncle immediately set to work to get things ready. He carried Clara back to her chair outside, Heidi following, not knowing how to jump high enough into the air to express her
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