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me good thought in His mind all along； but because we cannot see things beforehand； and only know how dreadfully miserable we are； we think it is always going to be so。〃
〃That is a beautiful faith； child； and be sure you hold it fast；〃 replied the doctor。 Then he sat on a while in silence； looking at the great overshadowing mountains and the green； sunlit valley below before he spoke again；
〃Can you understand； Heidi； that a man may sit here with such a shadow over his eyes that he cannot feel and enjoy the beauty around him； while the heart grows doubly sad knowing how beautiful it could be？ Can you understand that？〃
A pain shot through the child's young happy heart。 The shadow over the eyes brought to her remembrance the grandmother； who would never again be able to see the sunlight and the beauty up here。 This was Heidi's great sorrow； which re…awoke each time she thought about the darkness。 She did not speak for a few minutes； for her happiness was interrupted by this sudden pang。 Then in a grave voice she said；
〃Yes； I can understand it。 And I know this； that then one must say one of grandmother's hymns； which bring the light back a little； and often make it so bright for her that she is quite happy again。 Grandmother herself told me this。〃
〃Which hymns are they； Heidi？〃 asked the doctor。
〃I only know the one about the sun and the beautiful garden； and some of the verses of the long one； which are favorites with her； and she always likes me to read them to her two or three times over；〃 replied Heidi。
〃Well； say the verses to me then； I should like to hear them too；〃 and the doctor sat up in order to listen better。
Heidi put her hands together and sat collecting her thoughts for a second or two： 〃Shall I begin at the verse that grandmother says gives her a feeling of hope and confidence？〃
The doctor nodded his assent； and Heidi began；
Let not your heart be troubled Nor fear your soul dismay； There is a wise Defender And He will be your stay。 Where you have failed； He conquers； See； how the foeman flies！ And all your tribulation Is turned to glad surprise。
If for a while it seemeth His mercy is withdrawn； That He no longer careth For His wandering child forlorn； Doubt not His great compassion； His love can never tire； To those who wait in patience He gives their heart's desire。
Heidi suddenly paused； she was not sure if the doctor was still listening。 He was sitting motionless with his hand before his eyes。 She thought he had fallen asleep； when he awoke； if he wanted to hear more verses； she would go on。 There was no sound anywhere。 The doctor sat in silence； but he was certainly not asleep。 His thoughts had carried him back to a long past time： he saw himself as a little boy standing by his dear mother's chair； she had her arm round his neck and was saying the very verses to him that Heidi had just recitedwords which he had not heard now for years。 He could hear his mother's voice and see her loving eyes resting upon him； and as Heidi ceased the old dear voice seemed to be saying other things to him； and the words he heard again must have carried him far； far away； for it was a long time before he stirred or took his hand from his eyes。 When at last he roused himself he met Heidi's eyes looking wonderingly at him。
〃Heidi；〃 he said； taking the child's hand in his； 〃that was a beautiful hymn of yours；〃 and there was a happier ring in his voice as he spoke。 〃We will come out here together another day； and you will let me hear it again。〃
Peter meanwhile had had enough to do in giving vent to his anger。 It was now some days since Heidi had been out with him； and when at last she did come； there she sat the whole time beside the old gentleman； and Peter could not get a word with her。 He got into a terrible temper； and at last went and stood some way back behind the doctor； where the latter could not see him； and doubling his fist made imaginary hits at the enemy。 Presently he doubled both fists； and the longer Heidi stayed beside the gentleman； the more fiercely did he threaten with them。
Meanwhile the sun had risen to the height which Peter knew pointed to the dinner hour。 All of a sudden he called at the top of his voice； 〃It's dinner time。〃
Heidi was rising to fetch the dinner bag so that the doctor might eat his where he sat。 But he stopped her； telling her he was not hungry at all； and only cared for a glass of milk； as he wanted to climb up a little higher。 Then Heidi found that she also was not hungry and only wanted milk； and she should like； she said； to take the doctor up to the large moss…covered rock where Greenfinch had nearly jumped down and killed herself。 So she ran and explained matters to Peter； telling him to go and get milk for the two。 Peter seemed hardly to understand。 〃Who is going to eat what is in the bag then？〃 he asked。
〃You can have it；〃 she answered； 〃only first make haste and get the milk。〃
Peter had seldom performed any task more promptly； for he thought of the bag and its contents； which now belonged to him。 As soon as the other two were sitting quietly drinking their milk； he opened it； and quite trembled for joy at the sight of the meat； and he was just putting his hand in to draw it out when something seemed to hold him back。 His conscience smote him at the remembrance of how he had stood with his doubled fists behind the doctor； who was now giving up to him his whole good dinner。 He felt as if he could not now enjoy it。 But all at once he jumped up and ran back to the spot where he had stood before； and there held up his open hands as a sign that he had no longer any wish to use them as fists； and kept them up until he felt he had made amends for his past conduct。 Then he rushed back and sat down to the double enjoyment of a clear conscience and an unusually satisfying meal。
Heidi and the doctor climbed and talked for a long while； until the latter said it was time for him to be going back； and no doubt Heidi would like to go and be with her goats。 But Heidi would not hear of this； as then the doctor would have to go the whole way down the mountain alone。 She insisted on accompanying him as far as the grandfather's hut； or even a little further。 She kept hold of her friend's hand all the time； and the whole way she entertained him with accounts of this thing and that； showing him the spots where the goats loved best to feed； and others where in summer the flowers of all colors grew in greatest abundance。 She could give them all their right names； for her grandfather had taught her these during the summer months。 But at last the doctor insisted on her going back； so they bid each other good…night and the doctor continued his descent； turning now and again to look back； and each time he saw Heidi standing on the same spot and waving her hand to him。 Even so in the old days had his own dear little daughter watched him when he went from home。
It was a bright sunny autumn month。 The doctor came up to the hut every morning； and thence made excursions over the mountain。 Alm…Uncle accompanied him on some of his higher ascents； when they climbed up to the ancient storm…beaten fir trees and often disturbed the great bird which ro