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〃Oh； yes！ the pillows keep one warm； and it is easier to breathe when the head is high；〃 answered the grandmother； wearily raising her head as she spoke as if trying to find a higher resting…place。 〃But we will not talk about that； for I have so much that other old sick people are without for which I thank God； there is the nice bread I get every day； and this warm wrap； and your visits； Heidi。 Will you read me something to…day？〃
Heidi ran into the next room to fetch the hymn book。 Then she picked out the favorite hymns one after another； for she knew them all by heart now； as pleased as the grandmother to hear them again after so many days。 The grandmother lay with folded hands； while a smile of peace stole over the worn； troubled face； like one to whom good news has been brought。
Suddenly Heidi paused。 〃Grandmother； are you feeling quite well again already？〃
〃Yes； child； I have grown better while listening to you； read it to the end。〃
The child read on； and when she came to the last words：
As the eyes grow dim； and darkness Closes round； the soul grows clearer； Sees the goal to which it travels； Gladly feels its home is nearer。〃
the grandmother repeated them once or twice to herself； with a look of happy expectation on her face。 And Heidi took equal pleasure in them； for the picture of the beautiful sunny day of her return home rose before her eyes； and she exclaimed joyfully； 〃Grandmother； I know exactly what it is like to go home。〃 The old woman did not answer； but she had heard Heidi's words； and the expression that had made the child think she was better remained on her face。
A little later Heidi said； 〃It is growing dark and I must go home； I am glad to think； that you are quite well again。〃
The grandmother took the child's hand in hers and held it closely。 〃Yes；〃 she said； 〃I feel quite happy again； even if I have to go on lying here； I am content。 No one knows what it is to lie here alone day after day； in silence and darkness； without hearing a voice or seeing a ray of light。 Sad thoughts come over me； and I do not feel sometimes as if I could bear it any longer or as if it could ever be light again。 But when you come and read those words to me； then I am comforted and my heart rejoices once more。〃
Then she let the child go； and Heidi ran into the next room； and bid Peter come quickly； for it had now grown quite dark。 But when they got outside they found the moon shining down on the white snow and everything as clear as in the daylight。 Peter got his sleigh； put Heidi at the back； he himself sitting in front to guide； and down the mountain they shot like two birds darting through the air。
When Heidi was lying that night on her high bed of hay she thought of the grandmother on her low pillow； and of all she had said about the light and comfort that awoke in her when she heard the hymns； and she thought： if I could read to her every day； then I should go on making her better。 But she knew that it would be a week； if not two； before she would be able to go up the mountain again。 This was a thought of great trouble to Heidi； and she tried hard to think of some way which would enable the grandmother to hear the words she loved every day。 Suddenly an idea struck her； and she was so delighted with it that she could hardly bear to wait for morning； so eager was she to begin carrying out her plan。 All at once she sat upright in her bed； for she had been so busy with her thoughts that she had forgotten to say her prayers； and she never now finished her day without saying them。
When she had prayed with all her heart for herself； her grandfather and grandmother； she lay back again on the warm soft hay and slept soundly and peacefully till morning broke。
CHAPTER XIX。 THE WINTER CONTINUES
Peter arrived punctually at school the following day。 He had brought his dinner with him； for all the children who lived at a distance regularly seated themselves at mid…day on the tables； and resting their feet firmly on the benches； spread out their meal on their knees and so ate their dinner； while those living in Dorfli went home for theirs。 Till one o'clock they might all do as they liked； and then school began again。 When Peter had finished his lessons on the days he attended school； he went over to Uncle's to see Heidi。
When he walked into the large room at Uncle's to…day； Heidi immediately rushed forward and took hold of him； for it was for Peter she had been waiting。 〃I've thought of something； Peter；〃 she said hastily。
〃What is it？〃 he asked。
〃You must learn to read；〃 she informed him。
〃I have learnt；〃 was the answer。
〃Yes； yes； but I mean so that you can really make use of it；〃 continued Heidi eagerly。
〃I never shall；〃 was the prompt reply。
〃Nobody believes that you cannot learn； nor I either now；〃 said Heidi in a very decided tone of voice。 〃Grandmamma in Frankfurt said long ago that it was not true； and she told me not to believe you。〃
Peter looked rather taken aback at this piece of intelligence。
〃I will soon teach you to read； for I know how；〃 continued Heidi。 〃You must learn at once； and then you can read one or two hymns every day to grandmother。〃
〃Oh； I don't care about that；〃 he grumbled in reply。
This hard…hearted way of refusing to agree to what was right and kind； and to what Heidi had so much at heart； aroused her anger。 With flashing eyes she stood facing the boy and said threateningly； 〃If you won't learn as I want you to； I will tell you what will happen； you know your mother has often spoken of sending you to Frankfurt； that you may learn a lot of things； and I know where the boys there have to go to school； Clara pointed out the great house to me when we were driving together。 And they don't only go when they are boys； but have more lessons still when they are grown men。 I have seen them myself； and you mustn't think they have only one kind teacher like we have。 There are ever so many of them； all in the school at the same time； and they are all dressed in black； as if they were going to church； and have black hats on their heads as high as that〃 and Heidi held out her hand to show their height from the floor。
Peter felt a cold shudder run down his back。
〃And you will have to go in among all those gentlemen；〃 continued Heidi with increasing animation； 〃and when it comes to your turn you won't be able to read and will make mistakes in your spelling。 Then you'll see how they'll make fun of you； even worse than Tinette； and you ought to have seen what she was like when she was scornful。〃
〃Well； I'll learn then；〃 said Peter； half sorrowfully and half angrily。
Heidi was instantly mollified。 〃That's right； then we'll begin at once；〃 she said cheerfully； and went busily to work on the spot； dragging Peter to the table and fetching her books。
Among other presents Clara had sent Heidi a book which the latter had decided； in bed the night before； would serve capitally for teaching Peter； for it was an A B C book with rhyming lines。 And now the two sat together at the table with their heads bent over the book； for the lesson had begun。
Peter was made to spell out the first sentence two or three times over； for Heidi wished him to get i