HEIDI
gone, Peter.” And Heidi sat down on the ground looking as full of distress as if everything had really come to an end.
“It will come again to-morrow,” said Peter. “Get up, we must go home now.” He whistled to his goats and together they all started on their homeward way.
“Is it like that every day, shall we see it every day when we bring the goats up here?” asked Heidi, as she clambered down the mountain at Peter’s side; she waited eagerly for his answer, hoping that he would tell her it was so.
“It is like that most days,” he replied.
“But will it be like that to-morrow for certain?” Heidi persisted.
“Yes, yes, to-morrow for certain,” Peter assured her in answer.
Heidi now felt quite happy again, and her little brain was so full of new impressions and new thoughts that she did not speak any more until they had reached the hut. The grandfather was sitting under the fir trees, where he had also put up a seat, waiting as usual for his goats which returned down the mountain on this side.
Heidi ran up to him, followed by the white and brown goats, for they knew their own master and stall. Peter called out after her, “Come with me again to-morrow! Good-night!” For he was anxious for more than one reason that Heidi should go with him the next day.
Heidi ran back quickly and gave Peter her hand, promising to go with him, and then making her way through the goats she once more clasped Snowflake round the neck, saying in a gentle soothing voice, “Sleep well, Snowflake, and remember that I
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