Dawn broke and a fresh breeze blew through the branches of the fir trees, making the rustling sound that Heidi loved. It woke her, and she jumped out of bed. Her grandfather was already outside, washing Daisy and Dusky. Rosy clouds were floating in the clear morning sky, and the sun was coming over the mountains. "What, are you awake already?" asked Grandfather when Heidi came outside.
Heidi ran to the trees and skipped delightedly under the waving branches. Grandfather brought the goats out of their pen, and as soon as Heidi saw them, she ran and put her arms around their necks.
Peter was whistling as he came up the path. His herd appeared first, and Heidi let Daisy and Dusky go join their friends. Peter wanted to talk to Heidi, so he pushed his way through the goats. "Can you come up the mountain with me?" he asked.
"I can't, Peter. My friends from Frankfurt might come today," said Heidi.
Peter wasn't happy. Heidi had said the same thing every morning since Clara's letter arrived. He left with the goats without saying good-bye.
In Frankfurt, Heidi had learned to like being tidy, so after breakfast, she cleaned the table, put the dishes back in the cupboard, and tidied the hut. Then, a sunbeam, shining through the window, seemed to call her outside. She ran out and lay in the fresh, warm grass. Grandfather followed her, but was just in time to see her running down the mountain.
"They're here!" Heidi shouted over her shoulder. "That's the doctor in front." She rushed on and greeted the doctor affectionately.
The doctor's face brightened. He had not expected such a happy welcome. He shook her hand and said, "Take me to meet your grandfather and show me where you live."
But Heidi did not move. She was looking down the mountain path, puzzled. "Where are Clara and Grandmamma?" she asked.
"I'm going to disappoint you, Heidi," he replied. "I've come alone. Clara has been too ill to travel. But they will come in the spring, as soon as the days get warmer."
For a minute or two, Heidi couldn't speak. She was greatly disappointed. When she looked up at the doctor, there was a lonely look in his eyes. It made her think he was just as disappointed as she. "It will be spring soon," she said to cheer him up─and herself too.
Hand in hand, they climbed to the hut. Grandfather put out his hand and welcomed the doctor warmly. The doctor seemed like an old friend because Heidi had talked about him so much. Grandfather had already brought the table out of the hut and had placed it in front of his seat. "Heidi," he said, "bring out what we need for lunch." To the doctor he said, "Our food is simple, but the dining room is fine!"
As Heidi set the table, running back and forth, the doctor seemed to notice the beautiful surroundings for the first time. "Everything will taste extra good up here," he said.
They sat down to eat, and the doctor explained all about Clara's illness and Herr Sesemann's suggestion that he visit. While they were eating, a man arrived carrying a chest. The doctor smiled. "These are presents from Clara and Grandmamma," he explained. Heidi was thrilled, and among all the wonderful gifts was the package of coffee that had been promised for Grannie. There was also a packet of tobacco for Grandfather, which he accepted from the doctor with a grin.
As the afternoon ended, Grandfather walked down the mountain to help the doctor find a room in Dorfli. Both smoked their pipes, and Heidi went too, to deliver the coffee to Grannie.