Heidi

BIRD CRIES

-WOMAN:

-Everyone calls him Uncle Alp

because that's where he lives, on top of an Alp...

Well, some mountain in Switzerland, anyway.

TRAIN WHISTLE

When he was younger, he drank, you know,

and gambled away practically the entire family fortune.

And when he joined the army, well, they say that he killed a man

and that he had to go to court and then things took a very nasty turn.

My dear, no-one is more appalled than I am

at the prospect of leaving the child with that man.

But I have to work.

And there is no way I'll get a good position with a child along.

The Lord knows, I'm sure I've done my best for her

since my poor sister died.

Are you all right, Heidi?

CHILDREN WHISPER

HORSE NEIGHS

Tobacco.

What's he like...my grandfather?

You'll love him. He's... Well...

He's everything you'd expect in a grandfather.

Is this where Grandfather lives?

No. He lives much further up the mountain.

He must be mad, honestly.

-Who lives here?

-How should I know, child?

Do you think they'd give me a drink of water?

Ask them.

-Yes?

-May I have a drink of water, please?

What's your name, then?

Heidi.

What's yours?

Peter.

What are you doing up here, anyway?

-I've come to live with my grandfather.

-Uncle Alp?

That's what they call, I think.

Rather you than me.

DOOR CREAKS

Quickly now.

Say hello to your grandfather, then.

Hello, Grandfather.

I'm Heidi.

Your granddaughter.

Why have you brought her here?

She's come to live with you.

-What?

-I've done all I can for her these past few years.

Now it's your turn.

Don't be ridiculous, girl.

-Where's Detie?

-She's gone, Grandfather.

Gone?

You'd better hurry up and catch her, hadn't you?

She said she only had one ticket to Frankfurt.

HE SPLUTTERS

You can't stay here.

-Where will I sleep, Grandfather?

-Where you like.

I can sleep up here, Grandfather.

You'll need this one, also. It gets...much colder later.

Thank you, Grandfather.

Goodnight.

Morning, Grandfather.

Morning.

SHE SIGHS CONTENTEDLY

SHE GASPS

Hello. Hello.

And what's your name?

What's their names, Grandfather?

This one's Daisy. This is Dusky.

WHISTLES

It's Peter.

Come to take them up to high pasture.

Can I go with him?

I suppose so. Only...wash your face, first,

so the sun won't laugh at how dirty it is.

Presumably, you hold no objections, General of the Goats.

Suppose not.

This is her lunch.

See she gets all of it.

And you look after her, especially around that ravine.

The sun can't laugh at me now, Grandfather.

Hm.

See you later, then. PETER WHISTLES

-Careful!

-OK!

Didn't you hear old Alp warn me about the ravine?

I was only looking. And don't call him old Alp.

Stay where I can see you from now on, all right?

Is that all you're having?

-It's all we can afford.

-Have this. And the bread.

-Are you sure?

-I've got more than enough of this.

Thanks.

-Get off.

-GOAT BLEATS

Don't send him away.

-What's his name?

-Finch.

He's more trouble than the rest of them put together.

I think he's lovely.

LOUD SQUAWKS

-What's that?

-A hawk, of course.

Does it live up here?

It has a nest, top of the peak, there.

-Can we go up and see it?

-Don't be silly.

The goats can't get up there.

Why does it make that noise?

I don't know.

Where's that stupid Finch gone now?

Oh, no!

BLEATING

-What...

-Don't you dare!

-He needs to be taught a lesson.

-He's just a baby.

No, I said!

Promise me more of that cheese tomorrow, then.

Tomorrow and every day, and the bread, just so long as

you promise to never, never beat any of them ever again.

Promise.

Bye, Peter. Can I come with you tomorrow, then?

If you like.

-Can I, Grandfather?

-Of course.

I brought you these.

No, what happened to them, Grandfather?

Perhaps they wanted to stay in the sun.

I'll never ever pick any more ever again.

HAWK SQUAWKS

Why does it croak like that?

He's jeering at all the people who live down in the village,

and make trouble for one another.

He's telling them, "Why don't you mind your own business,

"or climb to the top of a mountain, sometime?"

We'd all be a lot better off.

What are you doing, Grandfather?

-Making cheese.

-Can I try?

Are your hands clean?

All right. Go on, then.

You'll need to do it much harder than that.

-WHISTLE

-That will be Peter.

All right, run along. I'll finish off.

It will snow, soon.

-How do you know?

-I just know.

My grannie,

she says she'd like to meet you.

-What's she like?

-Ancient. And blind.

-She sees people through her fingers.

-Really? I'd like to see her do that.

-What about tomorrow, then?

-All right.

WHISTLE, BELLS JANGLE

-Don't forget about tomorrow.

-I won't.

Come on.

In you go, Daisy.

Grandfather, have you made that?

It is just something for you to sit on by the fire,

when the winter comes, with me.

Oh, Grandfather, thank you. It's lovely.

Thank you. Thank you.

HE CHUCKLES

Peter says I'll be going to meet his grannie tomorrow.

Will that be all right?

I suppose so.

How will Peter get up here with the goats, Grandfather?

He won't be able to.

But I promised to visit his grannie.

She'll be expecting me.

She'll just have to be patient, won't she?

And so will you.

Now, go get some warmer clothes on.

Where are you going?

-To see Heidi.

-The snow's too deep, Peter.

Don't worry. I'll be all right.

I'll be back before dark.

Who's this, Grandfather?

FIRE CRACKLES

My son.

Your father.

He died in an accident...

him and your mother.

Don't you remember them at all?

I was only a baby, Aunt Detie said.

What was he like?

My father?

A lot like you, actually.

Why don't you ever go down to the village, Grandfather?

Oh, I...

I go when I have to.

POUNDING

Peter!

Are you out of your mind coming up here before the snow's even frozen?

I'm here, aren't I?

-Hello, Heidi.

-Hello.

So, General,

you're going to have to start chewing a pencil, again, huh?

Chewing a pencil?

In the winter, Peter has to go to school.

And he finds chewing a pencil helps a lot...

-don't you, Peter?

-What do you do at school, Peter?

Learning to read...and write.

Not that I'm ever going to bother to.

-Why not?

-Cos it's a waste of time.

Why does a goat-heard need to read and write, anyway?

Well, that would depend, wouldn't it, on whether the goat-herd

wanted to spend the rest of his life being a goat-herd.

I have to go.

Bye, Peter.

Will I ever have to go to school, Grandfather?

-Have you ever been to school?

-The nearest school was miles when I lived with Aunt Detie.

I mean, she was too busy to take me.

HE GRUNTS

When can I go and visit Peter's grannie?

When the snow has frozen over.

When will that be?

-Once Christmas is over.

-Christmas!

STRAINS OF "SILENT NIGHT"

-Heidi?

-Yes?

Are you all right?

Oh, yes, Grandfather.

Now, close your eyes, Heidi.

Why?

Just turn your back and close your eyes.

You can open them now.

Grandfather, a sledge!

SHE GIGGLES

Careful, Heidi.

GRANDFATHER LAUGHS

Your Christmas present.

I'm sorry it's a bit late.

Oh, Grandfather, it's beautiful.

Thank you. Thank you.

You said you wanted to see Peter's grannie.

Off we go.

Grandfather!

Yippee!

Whooaaa.

Now, in you go.

Just make sure to tell Peter you have to be back home well before dark.

Heidi, of course. Come in. Welcome.

-Mother, it's Heidi.

-Heidi?

Oh, such warm hands.

-Where's Peter?

-He's at school.

But how did you get down here, child?

My grandfather brought me down on the sledge.

What does she look like, Bridget?

Very pretty. In fact, beautiful.

Oh, yes. Certainly that.

Told you she'd come, didn't I, Grannie?

And most welcome she was.

So how did you get on with your reading today?

-Peter, you need to learn to read.

-Why?

HE SIGHS

-Can you read, Heidi?

-No.

See.

One of these days the wind's going to blow this place

right off the mountain.

HEIDI GIGGLES

Give me your hand.

Peter's grannie's blind.

Yeah. Yes. I know.

And their house they live in...

the doors creak and the shutters bang.

And Grannie gets really frightened when the wind blows

in case it blows them right off the mountain.

Oh, yes?

I just wish there was somebody who could do something about it.

Somebody who really knew about these things, Grandfather.

Can you think of anyone?

No.

HAMMERING

Thank you.

Morning.

Morning, Pastor.

Good morning, my friend. May I have a word?

The child, Heidi...

What about her?

I understand the teacher has sent you several messages

-pointing out that she should be coming to school in the winter.

-So?

So, what do you intend to do with her?

I certainly shan't be sending her to any school.

Then what will become of her?

She'll grow up with the goats and the birds

and they, at least, won't give her any bad ideas.

She's not a goat, or a bird, man.

Next winter, she must start school.

And just how do you suggest we get her there? Hm?

Do you really think that I would send a girl,

a little child, of her age down the mountain?

You could come back to Dorfli to live.

What sort of life is that for a young girl stuck up there?

One she loves, take my word for it,

and certainly a better one than she would have down here,

among people who despise me.

THE PASTOR SIGHS

My friend, people don't think half as unkindly of you

as you seem to think they do.

Frankly, Pastor, I don't care much how they feel.

Just as long as they leave us alone.

What do you want?

Well, if you give me a chance to get my breath back, I'll tell you.

Heidi, darling, how well you look, child.

Hello.

I asked you what you wanted.

Well, you must have realised that I always intended to come back for her.

-What?

-Well, of course I did.

Since then, I've spent my every waking hour

trying to find a good home for her.

And I'm delighted to say I've found one.

She already has a good home, here.

Living on top of a mountain like a hermit?

Now, the people I work for have rich relations in Frankfurt

who have a child who's wheelchair-bound

and who longs for a little playmate.

Some simple, unspoilt child of her own age.

In fact, someone just like Heidi. Right?

That's right.

And how much are these rich relatives offering you

for providing this playmate?

How dare you? And how typical of you to think of that.

Because I know you, Detie. I know you well enough

to know there has to be something in it for you

for you to suddenly turn up here again,

after dumping her on me the way you did.

Has it ever occurred to you to at least try to find out

what Heidi might think of this idea?

-She's still a child.

-She's also a human being.

Certainly not some chattel to be traded in

whenever you find it convenient.

You certainly are the most selfish brat I ever met.

And what about you?

It's obvious why you're determined to hang on to her, isn't it?

You're going to need someone to look after you

when you're no longer able to fend for yourself.

Never mind that you're an old man now, in fact, a very old man

who, let's face it, hasn't much longer to live.

And when you do die, what's going to happen to her then, eh?

But you won't be here then, will you? So why should that bother you?

I understand that you're refusing to send her to school.

If you think I'm going to stand by

and see my poor sister's only child brought up

like some sort of illiterate peasant, then you're wrong.

If I have to take this to court, I shan't hesitate.

And then...

God knows what might come out about you.

Take her, then...

And spoil her.

But don't you ever bring her back here to me again.

-Grandfather...

-Go on.

Get out of here, the two of you!

-Come along now, Heidi.

-No!

Don't be silly, child.

I don't want to go with you. I want to stay here with Grandfather.

-After what you've just heard?

-I'm sure he didn't mean it.

Of course he meant it.

He's famous for that violent temper of his.

You do know that he killed a man in a brawl?

Why else do you think he lives alone here,

-hiding away on the top of a mountain?

-I don't believe it.

Believe what you like. It's what a judge will believe that counts.

And you don't want him thrown into jail, do you...or worse?

If I go with you, I can come back, can't I?

Well, of course you can, whenever you like.

Now, go on, get your things.

Come on.

Heidi...

-Heidi, where are you going?

-Mind your own business.

Can I just go in and say goodbye to Grannie, first?

We have a train to catch. There isn't time. Now, come along, child.

Nan'll be so disappointed I didn't say goodbye to her.

You can bring her a present when you come back.

-Can I really?

-Of course you can.

Some of those lovely white rolls that they sell in Frankfurt.

HORSE WHINNIES, BELL RINGS

Paper!

CLOPPING OF HOOVES

-What's your name, child?

-Heidi.

-That can't be your proper name. What were you Christened?

-I don't remember.

Is the child half-witted...

-..or simply impertinent?

-No, ma'am.

It's just that she's never been in a house like this before.

-She was christened Adelheid.

-How old is she?

To be honest with you, I can't remember,

-but I should think about ten.

-I'll soon be nine.

What?

I distinctly remember telling you we wanted someone of Clara's own age,

which is 11.

-What books have you read?

-None.

-None?

I haven't learned to read, yet. Nor has Peter.

He thinks reading's a waste of time.

-Peter?

-The goat-herd.

What HAVE you learned to do, then?

Make cheese.

-Really, Detie.

-I beg your pardon, ma'am, but you did tell me

that what you were looking for was a more unusual sort of child,

and Heidi - I mean Adelheid - is certainly unusual.

If I might presume to make a suggestion,

why don't I leave her with you for a few days,

and then if you still think she's unsuitable, I'll take her back.

Oh, yes, please. Let's do that, Miss Rottenmeier, just for a few days.

Very well. Tinette.

TINETTE!

FOOTSTEPS

-Now what?

-Have a room prepared for her.

SIGHS

Dinner's at eight o'clock. Don't be late.

If there's one thing I simply abhor, it's unpunctuality.

I was promised a certain amount to find someone, Miss Rottenmeier.

For finding someone satisfactory.

COINS CLINK

-Well, I'll see you soon.

-In a few days. Yes?

-CLARA:

-Do you want to be called Heidi or Adelheid?

-My name is Heidi.

Then that's what I shall call you.

-Are you glad you came here?

-No.

But I will be going home in a few days with some nice white rolls for Grannie.

So that will be all right.

Oh, you do say the funniest things,

but I'm sure we'll have great fun together.

MAN WHISTLES

If you've nothing to do, I'm sure I can find you something.

I've only just finished laying the table.

Then you can start doing something else.

Ungrateful...

-What are you looking at?

-You remind me of Peter the goat boy.

Oh, do I?

And he's quite handsome, too.

Really?

LOUD YAWN

May I have that?

BUTLER SNIGGERS

-Am I to have that, as well?

-HE SNIGGERS

Put the dish down, Sebastian, and bring the vegetables.

HE CHOKES BACK LAUGHTER

Never, never speak to Sebastian during the meal,

unless it's to give him an order.

Now...

..you...

..are to address me...

..as "ma'am".

As for Clara...

..it's up to Clara to say what you're to call her.

SHE BREATHES RAPIDLY

What on earth are you doing there?

Looking for grass.

CHILDREN LAUGH

So what's it like in the mountains?

It's beautiful. There's lots of grass and trees.

When the sun sets, it looks like there's fire on the mountains.

I should like to see that, sometime.

Right, Clara, time for your nap.

But I'm not a bit sleepy, Miss Rottenmeier.

Tsk! Have none of that.

As for you, Adelheid, whilst she's sleeping,

you will, of course, sit quietly in your room, as usual, until you're called.

The child, Heidi...

-What about her?

-She seems to have vanished.

What's happened to her?

Didn't you hear, Pastor?

I ate her.

Oh! Look where you're going.

Morning, Mr Usher.

You have a new pupil, today.

Right. Ladies, to begin, please open your books at page six. HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

(Thank you.)

BELLS CHIME OUTSIDE

Some sort of problem with the windows there, Miss?

Could you open it, please?

Of course.

There.

Try standing on this.

Just stony streets.

-We are in the middle of the city, Miss.

-Where could I go...

to see the whole of the valley?

You'd need to get somewhere higher, I suppose...

like that church tower, there. See. The one with the golden ball.

Yes.

Where's Clara, please?

Having her afternoon nap, of course, where else at this time of the day.

Where's the tower with the gold ball on top?

-Would you show me where it is?

-What would you give me if I do?

-What do you want?

-Money, of course.

I haven't got any money.

-Well, that's that then, isn't it?

-Clara has!

I'm sure she'll give me some.

-Who's Clara?

-She lives here.

It'll cost you tuppence.

All right.

What's that thing you're holding?

A concertina.

What does it do?

Plays music, of course.

-How do I get in?

-I don't know.

Wait for me, just in case I can't find my way back.

Cost you another tuppence.

Very well.

-What do you two want?

-I don't want anything.

-But I want to climb to the top of the tower.

-What for?

-To see what I can see from there.

-Be off with you.

Please! Just this once, please.

Oh, well... If it makes you happy.

Come on.

Aren't there any trees at all in Frankfurt?

I should think trees have more sense than to live here in Frankfurt.

There's something else you can see, mind.

Might just cheer you up a bit.

Over there...

in the trunk.

Oh.

Would you like one?

To keep?

Course you can.

In fact, you can have more than one, if you like.

They're no use to me.

In fact, between you and me, the ones that aren't taken are for the bucket.

-The bucket?

-The water.

-You wouldn't.

I can't do anything with them. I can't afford to feed them.

-Then I'll take them all.

-Right.

But how will I carry them home?

Don't worry about that. I'll bring them round to you.

Could you just tell me where it is you live?

-Mr Sessemann's house.

-Mr Sessemann... oh.

Right.

Couldn't I take two now? One for me and one for Clara.

Of course you can.

Thank you for showing me the way back.

Hey, where's my fourpence?

I'll get it for you.

There you are, miss. Come on.

Oi, my fourpence!

What's the idea, running off like that?

I didn't. I just wanted to find the church with the gold ball on top.

-And there's this boy...

-Never mind about him.

You're in dead trouble. They're already at the table. Come on.

I will speak to you later, Adelheid,

about your unpunctuality...

suffice to say, at the moment, that it was extremely naughty to go roaming off like that.

KITTEN MEWS

I beg your pardon?

MEW

SNIGGERS

-How dare you mock me in such a fashion?

-I didn't.

SNIGGERS

That'll do.

Do you hear? That'll do.

Oh, my word!

UPROAR

-She's always hated cats, you see. In fact, she's terrified of them.

-Even kittens?

Cats of any age. But it was funny.

I'm sorry, Miss Clara, but I'm afraid you're going to have to leave those in my charge.

-I'm under strict orders from Miss Rottenmeier to get rid of them.

-Oh, no, Sebastian. Not the bucket.

Oh, good Lord, no, miss.

What do you take me for, some sort of savage?

What are you going to do with them?

There's a place in the attic where Miss Rottenmeier never goes.

The mice, you see.

Gently.

That's it.

KNOCK ON DOOR

What do you want?

-My fourpence.

-Your fourpence.

-That's what she owes me.

-Who does?

-Clara.

MISS Clara to you.

And for your information, Miss Clara never goes out into the street.

She can't even walk. How can she possibly owe you fourpence?

It wasn't her who promised me.

It was the other girl.

-What girl?

-Brown hair, sort of a red dress.

-Ah, that girl. And this would be yesterday afternoon, right?

-That's right.

Well, I suppose you'd best come in.

Uh-uh-uh-uh.

Now, you just wait there.

Fourpence? Oh, well, no matter.

-Give him this, Sebastian.

-Oh, no, I'll do it.

I promise I'll pay you back, Clara.

MUSIC STARTS

No. No. No. No! No!

-Will you stop that?

-She asked me to.

Well, I'm telling you.

-Now, you've got your fourpence, clear off.

-What on earth...

BANGING ON DOOR

-And just what is going on here now?

-Oh, no!

-Yes?

-For the little miss.

What is that?

Ow.

And what is that?

This is a little gift for the miss, ma'am. He said...

Well, don't just stand there, open it man, open it.

Open it. Open it, man, open it.

If we can all just...

He trod on my tortoise!

Does Heidi really have to go so soon, Miss Rottenmeier?

She most certainly does.

Only I was just wondering what my father would think about that.

Your father.

Well, he will be home tomorrow and I suppose it is just possible

that he would prefer to make the decision himself.

-Hello, Heidi.

-Hello, Grandfather.

-Would you like to make some cheese?

-Yes.

Papa!

Clara, my dearest... how are you?

-All the better for seeing you, father.

-I missed you.

And this is Heidi.

Heidi. But I understood from Miss Rottenmeier in her last letter that her name was Adelheid.

That's what Miss Rottenmeier calls her but her real name is Heidi.

So tell me, Heidi, are you and Clara good friends?

-Oh, yes, sir.

-I'm delighted to hear it.

-Mr Sessemann...

-Miss Rottenmeier...

If I could have a word, sir...

-in private.

-Of course.

I'll see you later.

And this was when you stood on this tortoise, was it, Miss Rottenmeier?

-After being attacked by at least one of the felines, yes.

-Good lord.

Frankly, sir, it makes my skin crawl, just touching them.

-And all this was the child Heidi's doing, you say.

-Absolutely.

So what you're saying, Miss Rottenmeier,

is that you don't consider her a suitable companion for my daughter.

What I'm saying is, Mr Sessemann, that I'm not entirely sure that Adelheid is quite right in the head.

Here, Clara.

Heidi, would you mind bringing me a glass of water?

Fresh water?

-Fresh cold water, ideally.

-Of course, sir.

Now, Clara, tell me about these cats that Heidi apparently smuggled into the house.

-They weren't cats, papa, they were kittens, and she only did it to save their lives.

-Oh.

-They were going to be put down.

-So what's happened to these animals?

Well, Sebastian's hidden them in the attic until he can find good homes for them.

Oh, but please, papa, let me keep a couple of them.

And I know the doctor said that they weren't good for my condition but I'm sure I'll be all right, now.

So who told you that, darling, that the doctor said they were bad for your condition?

Miss Rottenmeier.

-Miss Rottenmeier thinks that we should send Heidi away, anyway.

-Oh, no, papa.

Since she came, wonderful things have happened, nearly every day, and she does make me laugh so.

Thank you, Heidi.

-My, this is cold.

-I got it from the fountain, outside, on the street.

-You went out for it?

-You did want it cold, sir.

Thank you, Heidi.

-Oh, terribly sorry, sir. You wanted a word, sir.

-I did, Rottenmeier. Yes.

I need to return to Paris tomorrow for some important meetings.

And I know I can, as always, leave the household in your more than capable hands.

But of course, sir.

Now, as for the little Swiss miss, it seems that Clara has formed quite an attachment to her.

And I think it would be wiser not to send her back just yet.

-As you wish, sir.

-Despite her little idiosyncrasies, she will, of course,

-be treated with kindness and understanding at all times.

-But of course, sir.

If you find her too much to manage on your own, help is at hand.

-Oh?

-My mother will be arriving shortly for her usual visit.

Clara, Grandma's here!

Adelheid, how dare you presume to address Mrs Sessemann as Grandmamma?

She isn't your grandmamma.

Never forget that.

In future, therefore,

you will call her...

gracious madam.

Gracious madam. Is that quite clear?

-Yes, ma'am.

-Now go to your room at once, and sit quietly until you're called.

-Are you clean?

-Yes.

Well, in that case, you're to go to the study.

There you are, darling.

Thank you.

-This is your friend, is it?

-Yes. This is her, Grandmamma.

Come in, my dear. Let me have a good look at you.

Good evening, madam gracious.

What? Is that what you call people in the mountains?

Oh, no, we never call anybody that.

Nor here, either, I can assure you.

I'm Grandmamma and that's what you should call me.

-Now, you will remember that, won't you?

-Yes, Grandmamma.

-And what's your name?

-My real name's Heidi,

but Miss Rottenmeier thinks it should be Adelheid... so I answer to that, as well.

I'm sure you'll agree, madam, that it's better for her to be called

by a name which isn't a cause of ribaldry and embarrassment.

My dear Rottenmeier,

if Heidi's her name, then that is what she shall be called.

As you wish, madam.

You sent for me, madam?

Yes. Clara's taking her afternoon nap, isn't she?

-Yes, madam.

-And what does Heidi do in the afternoons?

Sits quietly in her room until called, madam.

I see. In that case, bring her down, will you?

I want to give her some books that I've found.

I hardly think that books would be of any use to her, madam.

She hasn't even learnt her alphabet, yet.

Strange.

She doesn't seem stupid.

But then appearances can often be deceptive, madam.

Can't they?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Heidi, come and sit over here.

I've found some books for you to read.

But I can't read, Grandmamma.

Well, you can at least look at some of the pictures.

SHE SNIFFS

My dear child, whatever's the matter?

-This reminds me of...

-home.

You miss it very much, don't you?

Grandfather, especially... even if he doesn't want me any more.

-And Little Finch.

-Little Finch?

-He's a goat.

-I see.

Well, why don't you look at some other books? Perhaps the pictures won't upset you so much.

But I like this book. And the pictures in it are lovely.

And it has a lovely story to go with it.

-If only you could read it.

-Only I told you, I can't read. It's too hard.

-Whoever told you that?

-Peter.

-Peter?

The goat herd.

Anyone can read, Heidi.

Would you like me to teach you?

Oh, yes, please. But you'd be wasting your time.

We'll see.

BANGING ON DOOR

When's Heidi coming back?

That one.

Good.

That one...

and that one.

Ahem!

Once... upon... a time...

there... was... a...

The child can suddenly read.

-Don't be ridiculous.

-Well, my own reaction exactly when I witnessed it just now.

How can this be, I ask myself?

How is this possible,

but Miss Rottenmeier, she's reading aloud to Mrs Sessemann at this moment.

- Rottenmeier... - Yes, ma'am.

I think it's high time we did something about Heidi's wardrobe, don't you?

Her clothes don't seem entirely appropriate, somehow, for a companion to my granddaughter.

I feel sure we can find some old dresses of Clara's that can be cut down to fit her.

What I had in mind was taking her into town before I leave and buying her some clothes of her own.

Nothing too grand, you understand. It would only embarrass the child.

Perhaps you'd make the necessary arrangements.

Good evening.

Good evening, ma'am.

Hello, Clara.

-It's yours now, dear.

-To keep?

-Yes.

Even when I go home?

Of course.

But of course, you won't be going home, Adelheid.

Grandmamma will be leaving soon and then Clara will need you more than ever, won't you, Clara, dear?

-Bye, children.

-Bye!

Hand me that, Tinette.

That's mine.

It's falling to pieces, child.

What are you going to do with it?

Burn it, of course.

You have new clothes now.

Not the hat, as well!

And will you kindly explain what these are doing here?

They're rolls.

I can see what they are... or rather, were.

What I want to know is what you're doing with them.

-They're for Grannie.

-Grannie.

Peter's grannie.

She finds black bread too hard to chew.

She'll find this a lot harder.

Must be weeks old, some of them.

Don't you realise rolls are to be eaten the day they're baked? Remove them at once, Tinette.

SHE SOBS

Perhaps a spot of this, miss?

No, thanks.

Please, miss. You must have something.

You haven't eaten for days.

-Something wrong with your food, is there?

-I'm not hungry.

Then will you kindly leave the table before you put the rest of us off?

Wretched child.

Doesn't appreciate how very fortunate she is.

However,

if she insists on starving herself to death, so be it.

Grandfather... Grandfather.

Heidi!

What are you doing?

Are you all right?

I don't know.

-So, how are you feeling now, Heidi?

-Much better, thank you.

And where were you off to last night then, when Sebastian found you?

I don't know, doctor.

You'd been dreaming, had you?

And what were you dreaming about?

-It's the same dream I have every night.

-Oh.

I'm back in the cottage with Grandfather.

There's lots of stars and when I go out to see the stars, all I see is roofs and chimneys.

-The roofs of Frankfurt?

-Yes.

Don't you like being in Frankfurt, then?

-I suppose I do.

-Honestly?

But you do miss the cottage and your grandfather?

Yes.

It's really quite simple.

The child's been sleepwalking because she's obviously quite desperately homesick.

And when she came here, she was positively blooming.

However, the only thing that matters now is what can we do about it?

My dear chap, there's only one thing you can do.

I realise Clara will be upset but Heidi must be returned

to her grandfather at once, before she pines away altogether.

Allow me to take that for you, miss.

Oh, Heidi, I'm going to miss you so much.

I'm going to miss you too, Clara... terribly.

But we will see each other soon, won't we?

Some day.

Of course, Clara. And now I can write you lots and lots of letters.

MIAOW

You haven't.

Just this one, Sebastian.

-Do you promise to take care of the others?

-Of course I do.

-Now, you're quite sure you know exactly where you're going?

-Oh, yes.

Mr Sessemann has arranged to send the rest of your things along later.

Thank you, Sebastian.

And thank you for bringing me home.

Goodbye, Heidi.

I'll miss you.

Goodbye, Sebastian. Bye.

Bye, Heidi.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Heidi.

Grannie, it's Heidi.

Heidi.

Is it really you, child?

Don't cry, Grannie.

I brought you a present back from Frankfurt.

Fresh white rolls...

which means you won't have to eat hard bread again for days and days.

What a present to bring me.

But you're the best present of all, child.

Well, now I must go and see Grandfather.

No. He hasn't died, has he?!

No!

Grandfather?

Go away.

Grandfather, please unbolt the door.

It's Heidi, Grandfather.

Go away.

-But Grandfather...

-Go away, I said!

ANIMAL BLEATS

-Where's Heidi?

-How should I know?

I'm here, Peter!

I brought him back with me, from Frankfurt.

What's his name?

Boris, because he's very bold.

So, coming up to high pasture, then?

-I don't think so.

-It's more fun than staying down here with that old grump.

Don't call him that. He was really hurt when I left, I know he was.

I thought you said he told you to leave.

Only because he was upset. I should never have gone with her, Peter.

She practically had to drag you down to the station. I saw that myself.

I couldn't run away.

I did try to, lots of times... only in my sleep, though.

Oh.

Bye, Heidi. See you tomorrow.

What are you doing back here, anyway?

They sent me home.

Why? Because you did something bad?

No. I just wanted to come home.

Anyway, now you're here, I suppose you'll have to have somewhere to sleep.

You know where your bed is.

-Who brought you back here, anyway? Aunt Detie, I suppose.

-No. Sebastian.

-Who's that?

-Mr Sessemann's servant.

He was my friend.

So what happened to your Aunt Detie?

I don't know. I never saw her again after she left me in Frankfurt.

Anyway, it's going to be awfully cold tonight.

So I suppose we'd better get that kitten of yours inside as well.

Right, Grandfather.

Thank you so much for taking me back. And I really am very sorry that I left.

Ever since you got back from Frankfurt, you've always had your head stuck in a stupid book.

A book can't be stupid, Peter.

People who read them are.

You should learn to read yourself, Peter. I could teach you, you know.

No, thanks.

-Then you know what will happen to you...don't you?

-What?

One day, they'll send you down to the big school

where all the teachers wear top hats and when they

find out you can't read, they'll all make fun of you.

-They wouldn't.

-They would, you know.

Can you really teach me how to read?

Of course.

Where are we going, Grandfather?

You'll see.

What's this place, Grandfather?

It is the house I used to live in, before I moved up the mountain.

And I thought that we might move in when winter comes.

If nothing else, it will make it easier for you to go to school.

-Would you like that?

-Just so long as you promise we can move back up to the mountain in the summer.

Did you like living here, Grandfather?

Once.

My son grew up here.

I think we can make this house really cosy.

I want to welcome you.

-Welcome back.

-Welcome back.

Welcome back, my friend.

Welcome home, Heidi.

You're getting good at that.

Good.

Good.

Supposed to give you this.

It's for you...

from Frankfurt.

SHE GASPS

You can still change your mind and come with us, you know.

I think not, madam, thank you.

You really do hate her, don't you?

I'm sure I don't know what you mean, madam.

Oh, I think you do.

From what I can gather, you've resented her bitterly ever since she first set foot in this house.

What I can't for the life of me understand is why.

She's such a sweet child.

If you say so, madam.

You mean you don't think so.

I think, madam... the child has a quite remarkable facility for making people believe she is.

As to whether or not any of it is genuine, madam,

on that I prefer to keep my own counsel, thank you.

I feel sorry for you, Rottenmeier.

Why, madam?

Because I see people as they really are?

What can you possibly see in her that none of the rest of us can?

Unless, of course, it's yourself... a long time ago.

Myself, madam?

Heidi!

Doctor Classen!

Heidi.

And Grandmamma!

-Clara!

-Heidi!

What a magnificent place to live. A king would envy you this.

You're right, you know.

Man could scour the face of the earth and not find a better place to retire to than this.

-Something you should think about, perhaps.

-Oh, yes.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you did, though. We could come and see you every day.

Well, I can't remember when I had more delicious cheese.

I hope the mountain air will make up for any deficiencies in my cooking.

But now I'm afraid we really must return to the inn in the village before the light goes.

-Can't I stay here tonight, Grandmamma?

-She can stay with me.

I've got lots of room.

Well, I would certainly have no objections, if Grandfather hasn't.

She could stay for the entire summer, if she wants.

Oh, could I, Grandmamma? Please?

What does the doctor think?

I think it would probably do her the world of good.

But could you cope?

Clara's hardly in the best of health and completely confined to her chair.

When I was in the army, I worked at the field hospital, so I expect I could just about manage.

-And I could help, as well.

-In that case...

I'm sure your father would agree.

Thank you, Grandmamma. Thank you.

That'll be Peter. You have to meet him, Clara.

You can give him his present.

-Peter, this is my friend, Clara.

-Hello, Peter.

Hello.

This is for you.

All the way from Frankfurt.

Thank you.

She also brought a warm shawl for Grannie, and a dress for your mother, as well.

Oh, yeah?

-Why doesn't he like me?

-I think, perhaps, he's a bit jealous.

Most days I go up to high pasture but for the last few days, I haven't been able to.

I wish I could go up to high pasture, one day.

You've told me so much about it.

I'm sure Peter will be pleased to see us. This is where he usually is.

Never mind.

I'm sure he can't be very far away.

Here, Clara.

Do you like the mountains?

Yes.

They're amazing.

So, put your arm round me.

Let's find a good place...

-What about here, Grandfather?

-Why not?

That's it, Clara.

Careful, Heidi.

The ravine!

No!

Grandfather!

Peter!

Peter!

Get yourself down here... now!

Help!

-Grandfather!

-Hold my hand.

-Peter.

-Help!

-Hold on to my leg.

Grandfather!

I'm slipping!

Heidi.

Heidi. Heidi!

-Heidi, are you all right?

-Yes. I think so.

You're standing up.

Stand up, again.

-I can't.

-You just did, Clara.

-Try.

I can't, I tell you.

Give her a hand, you two.

All right.

Now let go of her arms.

Now walk towards me.

Walk.

HE LAUGHS

And that's what we're going to do every day from now on...

for the rest of the summer.

And Peter -

Peter's going to help...

aren't you, Peter?

Yes.

I can't believe the summer's nearly over. The weeks have just flown by.

There'll be another summer next year, Clara, and you can come and stay with us then...

-can't she, Grandfather?

-Oh, any time.

Papa.

Clara.

Clara, you're...

I know, papa, I know.

What made you come and live up here?

-Because I wasn't welcome in the village.

-Why?

Because they'd heard that I'd killed a man in a fight.

And had you?

There's lots of things that I've done in my life that I've regretted, doctor...

but that was never one of them.

Well, it's a wonderful thing you've done for Clara.

And if there's anything at all that any of us can do for you, anything, you've only to say.

What do I need that I haven't already got?

Thanks, Grandfather.

-Here, throw it here. Heidi.

-Quick, Heidi.

Clara.

-Having said that, there is one thing, I suppose.

-Oh?

I'm not stupid, doctor.

I'm not just old, I am beginning to feel old.

What happens to Heidi when I go, though?

That's what bothers me.

I'll be retiring myself, soon.

I've already got my eye on a property down in Dorfli.

In fact, it was Heidi who first put the idea into my head,

and it goes without saying, of course, that if she is ever left alone,

there'll always be a home for her there with me and Mrs Classen.

I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that, doctor.

-Are you all right, Grandfather?

-Oh, I'm fine.

He hurt his back saving my life...

when Clara first came here.

-Yes. I heard about that.

-And it still hurts him.

Perhaps I should take a look at it?

-It's nothing, really.

-He always says that.

We'll take a look, anyway, shall we?

As you wish.

And now if you'll excuse me, I think I'd better go and see to the horses.

-Are you sure you're all right, Grandfather?

-I'm fine, in spite of your nagging.

I love you, Grandfather.

And God knows, I love you.

Come on, Heidi.

Coming, Peter!

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