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ran up to her friend。
The fresh morning breeze blew round the children's faces； and every fresh puff brought a waft of fragrance from the fir trees。 Clara drew it in with delight and lay back in her chair with an unaccustomed feeling of health and comfort。
It was the first time in her life that she had been out in the open country at this early hour and felt the fresh morning breeze； and the pure mountain air was so cool and refreshing that every breath she drew was a pleasure。 And then the bright sweet sun； which was not hot and sultry up here； but lay soft and warm on her hands and on the grass at her feet。 Clara had not imagined that it would be like this on the mountain。
〃O Heidi； if only I could stay up here for ever with you；〃 she exclaimed happily； turning in her chair from side to side that she might drink in the air and sun from all quarters。
〃Now you see that it is just what I told you；〃 replied Heidi delighted； 〃that it is the most beautiful thing in the world to be up here with grandfather。〃
The latter at that moment appeared coming from the goat shed and bringing two small foaming bowls of snow…white milkone for Clara and one for Heidi。
〃That will do the little daughter good；〃 he said； nodding to Clara； 〃it is from Little Swan and will make her strong。 To your health； child！ drink it up。〃
Clara had never tasted goat's milk before； she hesitated and smelt it before putting it to her lips； but seeing how Heidi drank hers up without hesitating； and how much she seemed to like it； Clara did the same； and drank till there was not a drop left； for she too found it delicious； tasting just as if sugar and cinnamon had been mixed with it。
〃To…morrow we will drink two；〃 said the grandfather； who had looked on with satisfaction at seeing her follow Heidi's example。
Peter now arrived with the goats； and while Heidi was receiving her usual crowded morning greetings； Uncle drew Peter aside to speak to him； for the goats； bleated so loudly and continuously in their wish to express their joy and affection that no one could be heard near them。
〃Attend to what I have to say；〃 he said。 〃From to…day be sure you let Little Swan go where she likes。 She has an instinct where to find the best food for herself； and so if she wants to climb higher； you follow her； and it will do the others no harm if they go too； on no account bring her back。 A little more climbing won't hurt you； and in this matter she probably knows better than you what is good for her； I want her to give as fine milk as possible。 Why are you looking over there as if you wanted to eat somebody？ Nobody will interfere with you。 So now be off and remember what I say。〃
Peter was accustomed to give immediate obedience to Uncle； and he marched off with his goats； but with a turn of the head and roll of the eye that showed he had some thought in reserve。 The goats carried Heidi along with them a little way； which was what Peter wanted。 〃You will have to come with them；〃 he called to her； 〃for I shall be obliged to follow Little Swan。〃
〃I cannot；〃 Heidi called back from the midst of her friends； 〃and I shall not be able to come for a long； long timenot as long as Clara is with me。 Grandfather； however； has promised to go up the mountain with both of us one day。〃
Heidi had now extricated herself from the goats and she ran back to Clara。 Peter doubled his fists and made threatening gestures towards the invalid on her couch； and then climbed up some distance without pause until he was out of sight； for he was afraid Uncle might have seen him； and he did not care to know what Uncle might have thought of the fists。
Clara and Heidi had made so many plans for themselves that they hardly knew where to begin。 Heidi suggested that they should first write to grandmamma； to whom they had promised to send word every day； for grandmamma had not felt sure whether it would in the long run suit Clara's health to remain up the mountain； or if she would continue to enjoy herself there。 With daily news of her granddaughter she could stay on without anxiety at Ragatz； and be ready to go to Clara at a moment's notice。
〃Must we go indoors to write？〃 asked Clara； who agreed to Heidi's proposal but did not want to move from where she was； as it was so much nicer outside。 Heidi was prepared to arrange everything。 She ran in and brought out her school…book and writing things and her own little stool。 She put her reading book and copy book on Clara's knees； to make a desk for her to write upon； and she herself took her seat on the stool and sat to the bench； and then they both began writing to grandmamma。 But Clara paused after every sentence to look about her； it was too beautiful for much letter writing。 The breeze had sunk a little； and now only gently fanned her face and whispered lightly through the fir trees。 Little winged insects hummed and danced around her in the clear air； and a great stillness lay over the far； wide； sunny pasture lands。 Lofty and silent rose the high mountain peaks above her； and below lay the whole broad valley full of quiet peace。 Only now and again the call of some shepherd…boy rang out through the air； and echo answered softly from the rocks。 The morning passed； the children hardly knew how； and now grandfather came with the mid…day bowls of steaming milk； for the little daughter； he said； was to remain out as long as there was a gleam of sun in the sky。 The mid…day meal was set out and eaten as yesterday in the open air。 Then Heidi pushed Clara's chair under the fir trees； for they had agreed to spend the afternoon under their shade and there tell each other all that had happened since Heidi left Frankfurt。 If everything had gone on there as usual in a general way； there were still all kinds of particular things to tell Heidi about the various people who composed the Sesemann household； and who were all so well known to Heidi。
So they sat and chatted under the trees； and the more lively grew their conversation； the more loudly sang the birds overhead； as if wishing to take part in the children's gossip； which evidently pleased them。 So the hours flew by and all at once； as it seemed； the evening had come with the returning Peter； who still scowled and looked angry。
〃Good…night； Peter；〃 called out Heidi； as she saw he had no intention of stopping to speak。
〃Good…night； Peter；〃 called out Clara in a friendly voice。 Peter took no notice and went surlily on with his goats；
As Clara saw the grandfather leading away Little Swan to milk her； she was suddenly taken with a longing for another bowlful of the fragrant milk； and waited impatiently for it。
〃Isn't it curious； Heidi；〃 she said； astonished at herself； 〃as long as I can remember I have only eaten because I was obliged to； and everything used to seem to taste of cod liver oil； and I was always wishing there was no need to eat or drink； and now I am longing for grandfather to bring me the milk。〃
〃Yes； I know what it feels like；〃 replied Heidi； who remembered the many days in Frankfurt when all her food used to seem to stick in her throat。 Clara； however； could not understand it； the fact was that she had never in her life before spent a whole day in the open air； muc