NEWS FROM DISTANT FRIENDS
of Heidi being taken from her. Heidi ran in, and taking her little stool, immediately sat down by grandmother and began eagerly pouring out all her news, growing more excited with her pleasure as she went on. But all of a sudden she stopped short and said anxiously, “What is the matter, grandmother, aren’t you a bit pleased with what I am telling you?”
“Yes, yes, of course, child, since it gives you so much pleasure,” she answered, trying to look more cheerful.
“But I can see all the same that something troubles you. Is it because you think after all that Fräulein Rottenmeier may come?” asked Heidi, beginning to feel anxious herself.
“No, no! it is nothing, child,” said the grandmother, wishing to reassure her. "Just give me your hand that I may feel sure you are there. No doubt it would be the best thing for you, although I feel I could scarcely survive it.”
“I do not want anything of the best if you could scarcely survive it,” said Heidi, in such a determined tone of voice that the grandmother’s fears increased as she felt sure the people from Frankfurt were coming to take Heidi back with them, since now she was well again they naturally wished to have her with them once more. But she was anxious to hide her trouble from Heidi if possible, as the latter was so sympathetic that she might refuse perhaps to go away, and that would not be right. She sought for help, but not for long, for she knew of only one. “Heidi,” she said, "there is something that would comfort me and calm my thoughts; read me the hymn beginning: ‘All things will work for good.’”
Heidi found the place at once and read out in her clear young voice:
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