Chapter 13 Home at Last, Heidi spent only enough time at grandmother's to make sure she was well and to give her a few of the white rolls she had been carrying so carefully.
"'I've never tasted better,' the old woman said as she bit into her roll.
"'But the real treat is having you back.'
Heidi gave the old woman one last hug and promised to come by again tomorrow.
Right now she wanted to get home to Grandfather.
To be so close and not see him was almost more than the little girl could bear.
Heidi climbed the mountain so fast that she reached her grandfather's hut in a matter of minutes.
Before the old man had time to see who was coming, Heidi rushed up to him, threw down her basket and flung her arms around his neck.
She kept saying over and over, grandfather, grandfather.
The old man said nothing.
For the first time in many years, his eyes were wet and he had to wipe them.
He loosened Heidi's arms and put her on his knee.
He looked at her for a moment and then said, So you have come back to me, Heidi.
Did they send you away?
Oh, no, Grandfather, Heidi said.
She spent the next several minutes telling him all about Clara and Mr. Sessemon.
She gave him the letter and watched as he read it.
He has given you enough money to buy a bed and clothes to last you for many years.
I don't need it, Grandfather.
I have a bed already, and Clara put a lot of clothes in my box.
I'll never need any more.
Put it in the cupboard, then, the old man said.
I'm sure you will want it some day.
Suddenly Heidi heard a shrill whistle outside.
She darted out like a flash of lightning.
Little swan, little bear, do you remember me?
Hello, Peter.
Heidi was out of her mind with delight at being among her old friends again.
Everything was as it should be.
It was with a happy heart that Heidi lay down at night.
Her sleep was sounder than it had been in months.
Grandfather got up at least ten times during the night and climbed the ladder to see if Heidi was all right, but Heidi didn't stir.
She didn't have to worry about that burning in her heart.
She had heard the wind in the fir tree.
She was at home again on the mountain.
The next morning, Grandfather went down the mountain to fetch Heidi's trunk.
The young girl walked with him as far as Grandmother's cottage, then gave a wave and skipped to the door.
Grandmother could hardly wait to tell Heidi how much she had enjoyed the white roll and how much stronger she felt after eating it.
Peter's mother told Heidi that her mother would surely get some of her strength back if she could only eat like that for a week.
But she had wanted to make the rolls last, so she had only eaten one so far.
Suddenly Heidi smiled.
"'I have lots of money, Grandmother,' she cried.
"'I know what I will do with it.
You must have a fresh white roll every day and two on Sunday.
Peter can get them for you.'
"'I can't let you do that,' the old lady answered.
"'You give that money to your grandfather.
He will tell you how to spend it.'
No, we need to make you strong.
We will get you the rolls.
Perhaps if you get strong, everything will get light for you again.
Maybe it's only dark because you're weak.
As Heidi was jumping about with joy, she noticed Grandmother's songbook.
Oh, Grandmother, I can read now.
Let me read you a prayer song.
Heidi beamed with happiness as the old woman's face softened to a look the young girl had never seen before.
You have lightened my heart, dear child, the old woman said when Heidi had finished reading.
Read it again, just once more.
