Chapter 8.
A Look About Town When Heidi opened her eyes the next day, she didn't know where she was.
As she looked around the room, she remembered everything that had happened during the last few days.
She jumped out of bed, got dressed, and ran to the window.
Heidi was eager to see the sky and country outside, but the curtains were too heavy for her to push aside.
Instead, she crept underneath them to get to the window.
But when she got there, she discovered that the glass was too high.
She could only just get her head above the sill to peer out.
She didn't see what she wanted.
She ran from window to window, finding the same problem at each one.
She felt like a caged bird.
All of a sudden, Heidi heard someone call, Breakfast is ready!
She left the window and joined Clara at the dining room table.
Heidi ate her food in a perfect manner.
Then, when Mrs. Rottenmeier wasn't looking, she quickly tucked her white roll into her apron pocket.
When the meal was over, she ran upstairs to her room and placed it in the closet to take back to Grandmother.
Heidi thought about the day when she could give Grandmother this delicious roll.
For now, Heidi would try to forget the thoughts about Grandmother.
If she didn't, they would make her too sad.
With one more look at the roll, she closed the closet door and joined Clara in the den.
As soon as the children were alone, Heidi asked Clara about the windows.
Oh, you must open the windows to see out, but they're hard to open.
Ask Sebastian to do it for you after our lessons.
When their lessons ended, Clara had to rest for the afternoon.
This was Miss Rottenmeier's time for a break as well, so Heidi was free to do as she pleased.
The first thing Heidi did was to seek out Sebastian and have him open a window.
Heidi climbed up onto a stool.
At last, she was going to see what she had been longing for.
But when she looked outside, she found a disappointing view.
There's nothing outside except for stony streets, she said unhappily.
What would I see if I went to the other side of the house, Sebastian?
The same thing, the man said.
But where can I go to look out over the whole valley?
Heidi asked.
You would have to climb to the top of a high tower like that one over there with the gold ball above it.
From there you can see everything.
Heidi climbed down from her stool and ran to the street as fast as she could.
Things were not as easy as she thought they would be, though.
The tower had looked so close from the window, but now she couldn't even tell which direction it was in.
She walked slowly through the streets, passing people who all seemed to be in a great hurry to get somewhere.
Suddenly she saw a boy standing nearby.
He was carrying a hand organ on his back and had a little turtle in his hand.
Heidi ran up to him and said, Where is the tower with the gold ball?
I will take you there, four pennies.
Heidi promised she would get the money from Clara later.
The boy seemed to trust her and showed her through the town.
Finally they arrived at the tower.
They rang the call bell and an old man appeared at the entrance.
At first he thought Heidi was too young to be bothered with, but the girl's pleading eyes convinced him to take her to the top of the tower.
Heidi held the old man's hand and climbed up the many steps.
When they reached the top, the old man lifted her up so that she could look out of the open window.
Heidi saw beneath her a sea of roofs, towers, and chimneys.
She drew back her head and said in a small voice, It's not at all what I thought.
The man set Heidi on the ground and led her back down the narrow stairway.
As they turned toward the tower keeper's room, Heidi heard a loud me.
The little girl stopped and looked about the small area.
Seeing Heidi so interested, the old man pointed her toward a basket.
Oh, the sweet things, the darling kittens, she kept on saying.
Would you like to have one? asked the old man.
To keep?
Yes, of course.
More than one if you like.
In fact, you can take them all if you want.
Heidi smiled, thinking of the joy the kittens would bring Clara.
Can I take two today and get the rest later?
Of course, the man laughed.
I will even bring them to you.
Heidi pointed out where she lived.
Then the young girl spent a minute or more picking the two kittens that would go with her.
She put them in her pockets and scampered down the rest of the steps to the boy waiting on the street.
Four pennies to take you back, he said.
Heidi nodded and followed him to her house.
Sebastian was waiting at the door.
Quickly, quickly, little miss, go straight into the dining room.
Miss Rottenmeier is waiting for you.
Heidi sprang through the door and Sebastian shut it behind her, leaving the boy standing on the steps.
Heidi walked into the room and listened to Miss Rottenmeier scold her.
When she was finished, she asked Heidi what she had to say for herself.
Meow, came the answer.
The old lady jumped up in anger.
Adelheid, what did you say?
I didn't say, began Heidi.
Meow, meow.
Sebastian had a hard time holding in his laughter and almost dropped the dishes.
Miss Rottenmeier stomped to Heidi to see what had made the noise.
Kittens, she shrieked.
Sebastian, Tinette, get those horrible things out of here.
Take them away.
And with that, she turned and went into the den.
Heidi jumped up and ran to Clara.
She took the kittens from her pockets and placed them on the girl's lap.
Clara squealed with delight as she snuggled the kittens to her chest.
"'Heidi, wherever did you find such dear little things?' but Heidi was too busy chasing after the scrambling kittens to answer.
Her giggles drowned out the orders of Miss Rottenmeier from the next room.
Clara heard the mean shout though, and knew the woman would do her best to rid the house of these creatures.
Please, Sebastian, find a place to hide them for us.
We must keep them, Clara begged.
She clutched a darling white kitten with a black tip on its tail.
I will see to it, answered Sebastian with a smile.
I will put them where the lady is not likely to go.
And so Heidi and Clara went to sleep that night, knowing that the kittens were safe and warm in a comfortable bed.
