Chapter 18 Life at Grandfather's.
For the next three weeks, life on the mountain was full of excitement.
Heidi shared everything with Clara.
"'Now, you see that it is just like I told you,' Heidi said one morning as they lay with the warm sun upon their hands and feet.
"'It is the most beautiful thing in the world to be up here with Grandfather.'
Oh, Heidi, if only I could stay up here with you forever, Clara exclaimed happily.
While the girls played, Grandfather did his part to make sure the visitor was well cared for.
Since it was the finest they had, he gave her only Little Swan's milk to drink.
He made sure she got plenty of food and fresh air, and he worked with her legs.
He hoped that she might actually be able to take a step someday.
Won't the little dodger try to stand for a minute or two?
Grandfather asked.
Clara made the effort in order to please him, but she clung to him as soon as her feet hit the ground.
She said that it hurt her too much.
The two girls were full of smiles and adventure each morning.
It wasn't long before Heidi was begging Grandfather to take them out with the goats.
Finally, Grandfather agreed.
One fine sunny morning, he wheeled Clara's chair out of the shed.
Then he went inside to call the girls and tell them what a lovely sunrise they were missing.
Peter arrived at just this moment.
The goats didn't gather around him as they usually did.
It seemed they had taken a disliking to him lately.
He had been so angry and mean to them over the last several weeks.
The poor goats didn't know that it wasn't them who had made Peter mad.
It was Heidi's friend.
Because of this girl who couldn't walk, Heidi had quit coming out with Peter.
He had lost his friend.
His days were now long and lonely, and it was all Clara's fault.
When Peter saw her chair sitting there, he glared at it like it was an enemy.
He looked around, but there was no sound anywhere and no one to see him.
The boy sprang forward like a wild creature.
He caught hold of the chair and gave it an angry push in the direction of the cliff.
The chair... quickly rolled forward and disappeared.
Pieces of the chair flew in all directions.
Peter felt such joy at seeing it fly apart that he clapped his hands and jumped over the bushes on his way up the hill.
He didn't care that he might get into trouble for his actions.
All he knew was that Heidi's friend would have no way to get around.
She would have to go home now.
With Clara gone, Heidi would be alone and would surely come out with him again.
But even without the chair, Grandfather and the girls went up the mountainside.
Grandfather carried Clara, and Heidi skipped merrily alongside.
The group found Peter farther up the mountain with the rest of the goats.
Why didn't you stop for my goats?
Grandfather asked.
I did, but no one was there, Peter answered.
Grandfather became angry and asked him about the chair, but Peter said he didn't know anything.
Grandfather made sure that Clara was sitting comfortably on a shawl and then left to do some work at home.
Heidi and Clara sat amid the clover, enjoying the weather and the beauty of their surroundings.
Some hours went by and Heidi began to think she couldn't sit still for another moment.
Would you think me unkind, Clara, if I loved you for a few minutes?
I would like to see how the flowers are looking.
I would run there and back very quickly.
Clara smiled at her agreement and Heidi ran off.
The field of flowers was more beautiful than the young girl remembered.
The deep blue color, the heavenly smell, it was all too wonderful not to share.
Oh, you must come, Heidi called back over her shoulder to Clara.
I will carry you.
The other girl sighed.
Heidi, whatever are you thinking?
You're smaller than me.
If only I could walk.
Heidi looked around like she was searching for an idea.
Peter, Peter, she called.
The boy came over.
Afraid that his young friend may have found out about the chair, he agreed to help with her idea.
Peter, Heidi began, put your arm in the shape of a ring.
Now, Clara, put your arm through his.
Heidi continued to give both of them directions.
Finally, the young girl, who usually sat in a chair with wheels, began to walk.
You can walk now, Clara, you can walk.
The girls were so excited that they decided to practice walking every day.
With each day, it got a little easier, and Clara was able to go a longer distance.
Another week went by and finally the day came when Grandmama was to come up the mountain for her second visit.
The old woman was in for quite a treat.
She was sure to be pleased beyond words when she saw her Clara walk for the first time.
The two girls planned to sit on the bench outside the hut.
They would wait for Grandmama to come close enough to see her face, and then they would show her their surprise.
