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s journey and how he himself had looked forward to it。 He passed as quickly as he could over the main point that it was now impossible for her to undertake it； for he dreaded the tears that would follow； but he went on without pause to tell her of his new plan； and dwelt on the great benefit it would be to his friend if he could be persuaded to take this holiday。
The tears were indeed swimming in the blue eyes； although Clara struggled to keep them down for her father's sake； but it was a bitter disappointment to give up the journey； the thought of which had been her only joy and solace during the lonely hours of her long illness。 She knew； however； that her father would never refuse her a thing unless he was certain that it would be harmful for her。 So she swallowed her tears as well as she could and turned her thoughts to the one hope still left her。 Taking the doctor's hand and stroking it； she said pleadingly；
〃Dear doctor； you will go and see Heidi； won't you？ and then you can come and tell me all about it； what it is like up there； and what Heidi and the grandfather； and Peter and the goats do all day。 I know them all so well！ And then you can take what I want to send to Heidi； I have thought about it all； and also something for the grandmother。 Do pray go； dear doctor； and I will take as much cod liver oil as you like。〃
Whether this promise finally decided the doctor it is impossible to say； but it is certain that he smiled and said；
〃Then I must certainly go； Clara； for you will then get as plump and strong as your father and I wish to see you。 And have you decided when I am to start？〃
〃To…morrow morningearly if possible；〃 replied Clara。
〃Yes； she is right；〃 put in Herr Sesemann； 〃the sun is shining and the sky is blue； and there is no time to be lost； it is a pity to miss a single one of these days on the mountain。〃
The doctor could not help laughing。 〃You will be reproaching me next for not being there already； well； I must go and make arrangements for getting off。〃
But Clara would not let him go until she had given him endless messages for Heidi； and had explained all he was to look at so as to give her an exact description on his return。 Her presents she would send round later； as Fraulein Rottenmeier must first help her to pack them up； at that moment she was out on one of her excursions into the town which always kept her engaged for some time。 The doctor promised to obey Clara's directions in every particular； he would start some time during the following day if not the first thing in the morning； and would bring back a faithful account of his experiences and of all he saw and heard。
The servants of a household have a curious faculty of divining what is going on before they are actually told about anything。 Sebastian and Tinette must have possessed this faculty in a high degree； for even as the doctor was going downstairs； Tinette； who had been rung for； entered Clara's room。
〃Take that box and bring it back filled with the soft cakes which we have with coffee；〃 said Clara； pointing to a box which had been brought long before in preparation for this。 Tinette took it up； and carried it out； dangling it contemptuously in her hand。
〃Hardly worth the trouble I should have thought；〃 she said pertly as she left the room。
As Sebastian opened the door for the doctor he said with a bow； 〃Will the Herr Doctor be so kind as to give the little miss my greetings？〃
〃I see；〃 said the doctor； 〃you know then already that I am off on a journey。〃
Sebastian hesitated and gave an awkward little cough。 〃I amI haveI hardly know myself O yes； I remember； I happened to pass through the dining…room and caught little miss's name； and I put two and two togetherand so I thought〃
〃I see； I see；〃 smiled the doctor； 〃one can find out a great many thinks by thinking。 Good…bye till I see you again； Sebastian； I will be sure and give your message。〃
The doctor was hastening off when he met with a sudden obstacle； the violent wind had prevented Fraulein Rottenmeier prosecuting her walk any farther； and she was just returning and had reached the door as he was coming out。 The white shawl she wore was so blown out by the wind that she looked like a ship in full sail。 The doctor drew back； but Fraulein Rottenmeier had always evinced peculiar appreciation and respect for this man； and she also drew back with exaggerated politeness to let him pass。 The two stood for a few seconds； each anxious to make way for the other； but a sudden gust of wind sent Fraulein Rottenmeier flying with all her sails almost into the doctor's arms； and she had to pause and recover herself before she could shake hands with the doctor with becoming decorum。 She was put out at having been forced to enter in so undignified a manner； but the doctor had a way of smoothing people's ruffled feathers； and she was soon listening with her usual composure while he informed her of his intended journey； begging her in his most conciliatory voice to pack up the parcels for Heidi as she alone knew how to pack。 And then he took his leave。
Clara quite expected to have a long tussle with Fraulein Rottenmeier before she would get the latter to consent to sending all the things that she had collected as presents for Heidi。 But this time she was mistaken； for Fraulein Rottenmeier was in a more than usually good temper。 She cleared the large table so that all the things for Heidi could be spread out upon it and packed under Clara's own eyes。 It was no light job； for the presents were of all shapes and sizes。 First there was the little warm cloak with a hood； which had been designed by Clara herself； in order that Heidi during the coming winter might be able to go and see grandmother when she liked； and not have to wait till her grandfather could take her wrapped up in a sack to keep her from freezing。 Then came a thick warm shawl for the grandmother； in which she could wrap herself well up and not feel the cold when the wind came sweeping in such terrible gusts round the house。 The next object was the large box full of cakes； these were also for the grandmother； that she might have something to eat with her coffee besides bread。 An immense sausage was the next article； this had been originally intended for Peter； who never had anything but bread and cheese； but Clara had altered her mind； fearing that in his delight he might eat it all up at once and make himself ill。 So she arranged to send it to Brigitta； who could take some for herself and the grandmother and give Peter his portion out by degrees。 A packet of tobacco was a present for grandfather； who was fond of his pipe as he sat resting in the evening。 Finally there was a whole lot of mysterious little bags； and parcels； and boxes； which Clara had had especial pleasure in collecting； as each was to be a joyful surprise for Heidi as she opened it。 The work came to an end at last； and an imposing…looking package lay on the floor ready for transport。 Fraulein Rottenmeier looked at it with satisfaction； lost in the consideration of the art of packing。 Clara eyed it too with pleasure； picturing Heidi's exclamations and jumps of joy and surprise when the huge parcel arrived at the hut。
And now Seba