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ho had risen； 〃Little one； will you fetch me；〃 he began； and then paused； for he could not think what to ask for； but he wanted to get the child out of the room for a little while； 〃fetch me fetch me a glass of water。〃
〃Fresh water？〃 asked Heidi。
〃YesYesas fresh as you can get it；〃 he answered。 Heidi disappeared on the spot。
〃And now； my dear little Clara；〃 he said； drawing his chair nearer and laying her hand in his； 〃answer my questions clearly and intelligibly： what kind of animals has your little companion brought into the house； and why does Fraulein Rottenmeier think that she is not always in her right mind？〃
Clara had no difficulty in answering。 The alarmed lady had spoken to her also about Heidi's wild manner of talking； but Clara had not been able to put a meaning to it。 She told her father everything about the tortoise and the kittens； and explained to him what Heidi had said the day Fraulein Rottenmeier had been put in such a fright。 Herr Sesemann laughed heartily at her recital。 〃So you do not want me to send the child home again；〃 he asked； you are not tired of having her here？〃
〃Oh； no； no；〃 Clara exclaimed； 〃please do not send her away。 Time has passed much more quickly since Heidi was here； for something fresh happens every day； and it used to be so dull； and she has always so much to tell me。〃
〃That's all right thenand here comes your little friend。 Have you brought me some nice fresh water？〃 he asked as Heidi handed him a glass。
〃Yes； fresh from the pump；〃 answered Heidi。
〃You did not go yourself to the pump？〃 said Clara。
〃Yes I did； it is quite fresh。 I had to go a long way； for there were such a lot of people at the first pump； so I went further down the street； but there were just as many at the second pump； but I was able to get some water at the one in the next street； and the gentleman with the white hair asked me to give his kind regards to Herr Sesemann。〃
〃You have had quite a successful expedition；〃 said Herr Sesemann laughing； 〃and who was the gentleman？〃
〃He was passing； and when he saw me he stood still and said； 'As you have a glass will you give me a drink； to whom are you taking the water？' and when I said； 'To Herr Sesemann；' he laughed very much； and then he gave me that message for you； and also said he hoped you would enjoy the water。〃
〃Oh； and who was it； I wonder； who sent me such good wishestell me what he was like；〃 said Herr Sesemann。
〃He was kind and laughed； and he had a thick gold chain and a gold thing hanging from it with a large red stone； and a horse's head at the top of his stick。〃
〃It's the doctormy old friend the doctor；〃 exclaimed Clara and her father at the same moment； and Herr Sesemann smiled to himself at the thought of what his friend's opinion must have been of this new way of satisfying his thirst for water。
That evening when Herr Sesemann and Fraulein Rottenmeier were alone； settling the household affairs； he informed her that he intended to keep Heidi； he found the child in a perfectly right state of mind； and his daughter liked her as a companion。 〃I desire； therefore；〃 he continued； laying stress upon his words； 〃that the child shall be in every way kindly treated； and that her peculiarities shall not be looked upon as crimes。 If you find her too much for you alone； I can hold out a prospect of help； for I am shortly expecting my mother here on a long visit； and she； as you know； can get on with anybody； whatever they may be like。〃
〃O yes； I know；〃 replied Fraulein Rottenmeier； but there was no tone of relief in her voice as she thought of the coming help。
Herr Sesemann was only home for a short time； he left for Paris again before the fortnight was over； comforting Clara； who could not bear that he should go from her again so soon； with the prospect of her grandmother's arrival； which was to take place in a few days' time。 Herr Sesemann had indeed only just gone when a letter came from Frau Sesemann； announcing her arrival on the following day； and stating the hour when she might be expected； in order that a carriage should be sent to meet her at the station。 Clara was overjoyed； and talked so much about her grandmother that evening； that Heidi began also to call her 〃grandmamma；〃 which brought down on her a look of displeasure from Fraulein Rottenmeier； this； however； had no particular
effect on Heidi； for she was accustomed now to being continually in that lady's black books。 But as she was going to her room that night； Fraulein Rottenmeier waylaid her； and drawing her into her own； gave her strict injunctions as to how she was to address Frau Sesemann when she arrived； on no account was she to call her 〃grandmamma；〃 but always to say 〃madam〃 to her。 〃Do you understand？〃 said the lady； as she saw a perplexed expression on Heidi's face。 The latter had not understood； but seeing the severe expression of the lady's face she did not ask for more explanation。
CHAPTER X。 ANOTHER GRANDMOTHER
There was much expectation and preparation about the house on the following evening； and it was easy to see that the lady who was coming was one whose opinion was highly thought of； and for whom everybody had a great respect。 Tinette had a new white cap on her head； and Sebastian collected all the footstools he could find and placed them in convenient spots； so that the lady might find one ready to her feet whenever she chose to sit。 Fraulein Rottenmeier went about surveying everything； very upright and dignified； as if to show that though a rival power was expected； her own authority was not going to be extinguished。
And now the carriage came driving up to the door； and Tinette and Sebastian ran down the steps； followed with a slower and more stately step by the lady； who advanced to greet the guest。 Heidi had been sent up to her room and ordered to remain there until called down； as the grandmother would certainly like to see Clara alone first。 Heidi sat herself down in a corner and repeated her instructions over to herself。 She had not to wait long before Tinette put her head in and said abruptly； 〃Go downstairs into the study。〃
Heidi had not dared to ask Fraulein Rottenmeier again how she was to address the grandmother： she thought the lady had perhaps made a mistake； for she had never heard any one called by other than their right name。 As she opened the study door she heard a kind voice say； 〃Ah； here comes the child！ Come along in and let me have a good look at you。〃
Heidi walked up to her and said very distinctly in her clear voice； 〃Good…evening；〃 and then wishing to follow her instructions called her what would be in English 〃Mrs。 Madam。〃
〃Well！〃 said the grandmother； laughing； 〃is that how they address people in your home on the mountain？〃
〃No；〃 replied Heidi gravely； 〃I never knew any one with that name before。〃
〃Nor I either；〃 laughed the grandmother again as she patted Heidi's cheek。 〃Never mind！ when I am with the children I am always grandmamma； you won't forget that name； will you？〃
〃No； no；〃 Heidi assured her； 〃I often used to say it at home。〃
〃I understand；〃 said the grandmother； with a cheerful little nod of the head。 Then she looked more closely at Heidi； giving another nod fro