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her provide a nice outfit for the child。 Meanwhile Dete had arrived and was waiting in the hall； wondering what extraordinary event had come to pass for her to be sent for at such an unusual hour。 Herr Sesemann informed her of the state Heidi was in； and that he wished her that very day to take her home。 Dete was greatly disappointed； for she had not expected such a piece of news。 She remembered Uncle's last words； that he never wished to set eyes on her again； and it seemed to her that to take back the child to him； after having left it with him once and then taken it away again； was not a safe or wise thing for her to do。 So she excused herself to Herr Sesemann with her usual flow of words； to…day and to…morrow it would be quite impossible for her to take the journey； and there was so much to do that she doubted if she could get off on any of the following days。 Herr Sesemann understood that she was unwilling to go at all； and so dismissed her。 Then he sent for Sebastian and told him to make ready to start： he was to travel with the child as far as Basle that day； and the next day take her home。 He would give him a letter to carry to the grandfather； which would explain everything； and he himself could come back by return。
〃But there is one thing in particular which I wish you to look after；〃 said Herr Sesemann in conclusion； 〃and be sure you attend to what I say。 I know the people of this hotel in Basle； the name of which I give you on this card。 They will see to providing rooms for the child and you。 When there； go at once into the child's room and see that the windows are all firmly fastened so that they cannot be easily opened。 After the child is in bed； lock the door of her room on the outside； for the child walks in her sleep and might run into danger in a strange house if she went wandering downstairs and tried to open the front door； so you understand？〃
〃Oh！ then that was it？〃 exclaimed Sebastian； for now a light was thrown on the ghostly visitations。
〃Yes； that was it！ and you are a coward； and you may tell John he is the same； and the whole household a pack of idiots。〃 And with this Herr Sesemann went off to his study to write a letter to Alm…Uncle。 Sebastian remained standing； feeling rather foolish。
If only I had not let that fool of a John drag me back into the room； and had gone after the little white figure； which I should do certainly if I saw it now！〃 he kept on saying to himself； but just now every corner of the room was clearly visible in the daylight。
Meanwhile Heidi was standing expectantly dressed in her Sunday frock waiting to see what would happen next； for Tinette had only woke her up with a shake and put on her clothes without a word of explanation。 The little uneducated child was far too much beneath her for Tinette to speak to。
Herr Sesemann went back to the dining…room with the letter； breakfast was now ready； and he asked； 〃Where is the child？〃
Heidi was fetched； and as she walked up to him to say 〃Good…morning；〃 he looked inquiringly into her face and said； 〃Well； what do you say to this； little one？〃
Heidi looked at him in perplexity。
〃Why； you don't know anything about it； I see；〃 laughed Herr Sesemann。 〃You are going home today； going at once。〃
〃Home；〃 murmured Heidi in a low voice； turning pale； she was so overcome that for a moment or two she could hardly breathe。
〃Don't you want to hear more about it？〃
〃Oh； yes； yes！〃 exclaimed Heidi； her face now rosy with delight。
〃All right； then；〃 said Herr Sesemann as he sat down and made her a sign to do the same； 〃but now make a good breakfast； and then off you go in the carriage。〃
But Heidi could not swallow a morsel though she tried to do what she was told； she was in such a state of excitement that she hardly knew if she was awake or dreaming； or if she would again open her eyes to find herself in her nightgown at the front door。
〃Tell Sebastian to take plenty of provisions with him；〃 Herr Sesemann called out to Fraulein Rottenmeier； who just then came into the room； 〃the child can't eat anything now； which is quite natural。 Now run up to Clara and stay with her till the carriage comes round；〃 he added kindly； turning to Heidi。
Heidi had been longing for this； and ran quickly upstairs。 An immense trunk was standing open in the middle of the room。
〃Come along； Heidi；〃 cried Clara； as she entered； 〃see all the things I have had put in for youaren't you pleased？〃
And she ran over a list of things； dresses and aprons and handkerchiefs； and all kinds of working materials。 〃And look here；〃 she added； as she triumphantly held up a basket。 Heidi peeped in and jumped for joy； for inside it were twelve beautiful round white rolls； all for grandmother。 In their delight the children forgot that the time had come for them to separate； and when some one called out； 〃The carriage is here；〃 there was no time for grieving。
Heidi ran to her room to fetch her darling book； she knew no one could have packed that； as it lay under her pillow； for Heidi had kept it by her night and day。 This was put in the basket with the rolls。 Then she opened her wardrobe to look for another treasure； which perhaps no one would have thought of packingand she was rightthe old red shawl had been left behind； Fraulein。 Rottenmeier not considering it worth putting in with the other things。 Heidi wrapped it round something else which she laid on the top of the basket； so that the red package was quite conspicuous。 Then she put on her pretty hat and left the room。 The children could not spend much time over their farewells； for Herr Sesemann was waiting to put Heidi in the carriage。 Fraulein Rottenmeier was waiting at the top of the stairs to say good…bye to her。 When she caught sight of the strange little red bundle； she took it out of the basket and threw it on the ground。 〃No； no； Adelaide；〃 she exclaimed； 〃you cannot leave the house with that thing。 What can you possibly want with it！〃 And then she said good…bye to the child。 Heidi did not dare take up her little bundle； but she gave the master of the house an imploring look； as if her greatest treasure had been taken from her。
〃No； no；〃 said Herr Sesemann in a very decided voice； 〃the child shall take home with her whatever she likes； kittens and tortoises； if it pleases her； we need not put ourselves out about that； Fraulein Rottenmeier。〃
Heidi quickly picked up her bundle； with a look of joy and gratitude。 As she stood by the carriage door； Herr Sesemann gave her his hand and said he hoped she would remember him and Clara。 He wished her a happy journey； and Heidi thanked him for all his kindness； and added； 〃And please say good…bye to the doctor for me and give him many； many thanks。〃 For she had not forgotten that he had said to her the night before； 'It will be all right to…morrow；' and she rightly divined that he had helped to make it so for her。 Heidi was now lifted into the carriage； and then the basket and the provisions were put in； and finally Sebastian took his place。 Then Herr Sesemann called out once more； 〃A pleasant journey to you；〃 and the carriage rolled away。
Heidi was soon sitting in the railway carriage； holding her basket tightly on her lap； she would