Heidi | Page 2

has lived seven years in America and has strengthened an excellent training with a wide reading of the best English classics.
Many people say that they read without noticing the author's style. This is seldom quite true; unconsciously every one is impressed in some way or other by the style of every book, or by its lack of style. Children are particularly sensitive in this respect and should, therefore, as much as is practicable, read only the best. In the new translation of "Heidi" here offered to the public I believe that most readers will notice an especial flavor, that very quality of delight in mountain scenes, in mountain people and in child life generally, which is one of the chief merits of the German original. The phrasing has also been carefully adapted to the purpose of reading aloud--a thing that few translators think of. In conclusion, the author, realising the difference between the two languages, has endeavored to write the story afresh, as Johanna Spyri would have written it had English been her native tongue. How successful the attempt has been the reader will judge.
CHARLES WHARTON STORK Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania
[Illustration]

CONTENTS

PART I
HEIDI'S YEARS OF LEARNING AND TRAVEL

CHAPTER PAGE
I. GOING UP TO THE ALM-UNCLE 17
II. WITH THE GRANDFATHER 38
III. ON THE PASTURE 50
IV. IN THE GRANDMOTHER'S HUT 67
V. TWO VISITORS 83
VI. A NEW CHAPTER WITH NEW THINGS 95
VII. MISS ROTTENMEIER HAS AN UNCOMFORTABLE DAY 104
VIII. GREAT DISTURBANCES IN THE SESEMANN HOUSE 119
IX. THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE HEARS OF STRANGE DOINGS 129
X. A GRANDMAMA 136
XI. HEIDI GAINS IN SOME RESPECTS AND LOSES IN OTHERS 146
XII. THE SESEMANN HOUSE IS HAUNTED 153
XIII. UP THE ALP ON A SUMMER EVENING 165
XIV. ON SUNDAY WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING 183

PART II
HEIDI MAKES USE OF HER EXPERIENCE
XV. PREPARATIONS FOR A JOURNEY 199
XVI. A GUEST ON THE ALP 207
XVII. RETALIATION 219
XVIII. WINTER IN THE VILLAGE 229
XIX. WINTER STILL CONTINUES 243
XX. NEWS FROM DISTANT FRIENDS 252
XXI. ON FURTHER EVENTS ON THE ALP 268
XXII. SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 276
XXIII. PARTING TO MEET AGAIN 293

ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE WAVING HER HAND AND LOOKING AFTER HER DEPARTING FRIEND TILL HE LOOKED NO BIGGER THAN A LITTLE DOT Frontispiece
SHE UNDID THE HEAVY SHAWL AND THE TWO LITTLE DRESSES 30
HERE A NEAT LITTLE BED WAS PREPARED 41
SHE HANDED HIM ALSO THE WHOLE SLICE OF CHEESE 57
OFF THEY STARTED AT SUCH A PACE THAT HEIDI SHOUTED FOR JOY 71
WHEN HEIDI HEARD THAT SHE STRUGGLED TO GET FREE 92
OFF THEY STARTED, AND SOON HEIDI WAS PULLING THE DOOR-BELL 116
THERE SHE WOULD REMAIN, EATING HER HEART AWAY WITH LONGING 152
THROWING HERSELF IN HER GRANDFATHER'S ARMS, SHE HELD HIM TIGHT 179
WITH HEIDI'S HAND IN HIS THEY WANDERED DOWN TOGETHER 192
THEY ARE COMING, OH, THE DOCTOR IS COMING FIRST 211
THE TWO CHILDREN WERE ALREADY FLYING DOWN THE ALP 241
HE WATCHED HIS FALLEN ENEMY TUMBLING DOWNWARDS, DOWNWARDS 277
PETER SHOT OFF AND RUSHED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE, TURNING WILD SOMERSAULTS ON HIS PERILOUS WAY 298


Part I
Heidi's Years of Learning and Travel
[Illustration]

HEIDI
I
GOING UP TO THE ALM-UNCLE
The little old town of Mayenfeld is charmingly situated. From it a footpath leads through green, well-wooded stretches to the foot of the heights which look down imposingly upon the valley. Where the footpath begins to go steeply and abruptly up the Alps, the heath, with its short grass and pungent herbage, at once sends out its soft perfume to meet the wayfarer.
One bright sunny morning in June, a tall, vigorous maiden of the mountain region climbed up the narrow path, leading a little girl by the hand. The youngster's cheeks were in such a glow that it showed even through her sun-browned skin. Small wonder though! for in spite of the heat, the little one, who was scarcely five years old, was bundled up as if she had to brave a bitter frost. Her shape was difficult to distinguish, for she wore two dresses, if not three, and around her shoulders a large red cotton shawl. With her feet encased in heavy hob-nailed boots, this hot and shapeless little person toiled up the mountain.
The pair had been climbing for about an hour when they reached a hamlet half-way up the great mountain named the Alm. This hamlet was called "Im D?rfli" or "The Little Village." It was the elder girl's home town, and therefore she was greeted from nearly every house; people called to her from windows and doors, and very often from the road. But, answering questions and calls as she went by, the girl did not loiter on her way and only stood still when she reached the end of the hamlet. There a few cottages lay scattered about, from the furthest of which a voice called out to her through an open door: "Deta, please wait one moment! I am coming with you, if you are going further up."
When the girl