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Clara did all she could to explain to Heidi that the story was about quite a different grandmother； but even when at last she had been able to convince Heidi of this； the latter continued to weep inconsolably； for now she had awakened to the thought that perhaps the grandmother； and even the grandfather also； might die while she was so far way； and that if she did not go home for a long time she would find everything there all silent and dead； and there she would be all alone； and would never be able to see the dear ones she loved any more。
Fraulein Rottenmeier had meanwhile come into the room； and Clara explained to her what had happened。 As Heidi continued her weeping； the lady； who was evidently getting impatient with her； went up to Heidi and said with decision； 〃Now； Adelaide； that is enough of all this causeless lamentation。 I will tell you once for all； if there are any more scenes like this while you are reading； I shall take the book away from you and shall not let you have it again。〃
Her words had immediate effect on Heidi； who turned pale with fear。 The book was her one great treasure。 She quickly dried her tears and swallowed her sobs as best she could； so that no further sound of them should be heard。 The threat did its work； for Heidi never cried aloud again whatever she might be reading； but she had often to struggle hard to keep back her tears； so that Clara would look at her and say；
〃What faces you are making； Heidi； I never saw anything like it！〃 But the faces made no noise and did not offend Fraulein Rottenmeier； and Heidi； having overcome her fit of despairing misery； would go quietly on for a while； and no one perceived her sorrow。 But she lost all her appetite； and looked so pale and thin that Sebastian was quite unhappy when he looked at her； and could not bear to see her refusing all the nice dishes he handed her。 He would whisper to her sometimes； in quite a kind； fatherly manner； 〃Take a little； you don't know how nice it is！ There； a good spoonful； now another。〃 But it was of no use； Heidi hardly ate anything at all； and as soon as she laid her head down at night the picture of home would rise before her eyes； and she would weep； burying her face in the pillow that her crying might not be heard。
And so many weeks passed away。 Heidi did not know it is was winter or summer； for the walls and windows she looked out upon showed no change； and she never went beyond the house except on rare occasions when Clara was well enough to drive out； and then they only went a very little way； as Clara could not bear the movement for long。 So that on these occasions they generally only saw more fine streets and large houses and crowds of people； they seldom got anywhere beyond them； and grass and flowers； fir trees and mountains； were still far away。 Heidi's longing for the old familiar and beautiful things grew daily stronger； so that now only to read a word that recalled them to her remembrance brought her to the verge of tears； which with difficulty she suppressed。 So the autumn and winter passed； and again the sun came shining down on the white walls of the opposite houses； and Heidi would think to herself that now the time had come for Peter to go out again with the goats； to where the golden flowers of the cistus were glowing in the sunlight； and all the rocks around turned to fire at sunset。 Heidi would go and sit in a corner of her lonely room and put her hands up to her eyes that she might not see the sun shining on the opposite wall； and then she would remain without moving； battling silently with her terrible homesickness until Clara sent for her again。
CHAPTER XII。 A GHOST IN THE HOUSE
For some days past Fraulein Rottenmeier had gone about rather silently and as if lost in thought。 As twilight fell； and she passed from room to room； or along the long corridors； she was seen to look cautiously behind her； and into the dark corners； as if she thought some one was coming silently behind her and might unexpectedly give her dress a pull。 Nor would she now go alone into some parts of the house。 If she visited the upper floor where the grand guest…chambers were； or had to go down into the large mysterious council…chamber； where every footstep echoed； and the old senators with their big white collars looked down so solemnly and immovably from their frames； she regularly called Tinette to accompany her； in case； as she said； there might be something to carry up or down。 Tinette on her side did exactly the same； if she had business upstairs or down； she called Sebastian to accompany her； and there was always something he must help her with which she could not carry alone。 More curious still； Sebastian； also； if sent into one of the more distant rooms； always called John to go with him in case he should want his assistance in bringing what was required。 And John readily obeyed； although there was never anything to carry； and either might well have gone alone； but he did not know how soon he might want to ask Sebastian to do the same service for him。 And while these things were going on upstairs； the cook； who had been in the house for years； would stand shaking her head over her pots and kettles； and sighing； 〃That ever I should live to know such a thing。〃
For something very strange and mysterious was going on in Herr Sesemann's house。 Every morning； when the servants went downstairs； they found the front door wide open； although nobody could be seen far or near to account for it。 During the first few days that this happened every room and corner was searched in great alarm； to see if anything had been stolen； for the general idea was that a thief had been hiding in the house and had gone off in the night with the stolen goods； but not a thing in the house had been touched； everything was safe in its place。 The door was doubly locked at night； and for further security the wooden bar was fastened across it； but it was no goodnext morning the door again stood open。 The servants in their fear and excitement got up extra early； but not so early but what the door had been opened before they got downstairs； although everything and everybody around were still wrapped in slumber； and the doors and windows of the adjoining houses all fast shut。 At last； after a great deal of persuasion from Fraulein Rottenmeier； Sebastian and John plucked up courage and agreed to sit up one night in the room next to the large council…chamber and to watch and see what would happen。 Fraulein Rottenmeier looked up several weapons belonging to the master； and gave these and a bottle of spirits to Sebastian； so that their courage might not faint if it came to a fight。
On the appointed night the two sat down and began at once to take some of the strengthening cordial； which at first made them very talkative and then very sleepy； so that they leant back in their seats and became silent。 As midnight struck； Sebastian roused himself and called to his companion； who； however； was not easy to wake； and kept rolling his head first to one side and then the other and continuing to sleep。 Sebastian began to listen more attentively； for he was wide awake now。 Everything was still as a mouse； all sound had died away from the street