On their way home from church, Heidi and Grandfather passed Grannie's hut.
"Please, let's stop for a visit," Heidi asked.
Instead of finding a reason to stay outside as he usually did, Grandfather walked straight inside with Heidi and said,
"Good afternoon, Grannie."
"Dear God, if it isn't Grandfather!"
Grannie cried in a pleased voice.
Grannie and Grandfather had not spoken to each other for many years.
"I never thought I would live to see such a day!
May God reward you!"
Heidi was very happy to see Grandfather so friendly with everyone and told Grannie all about the bells and church and visiting the pastor.
Suddenly, gasping and breathless, Peter arrived at the hut.
He was in such a hurry that he hit his head hard on the doorframe.
"A letter, a letter," was all he could say, holding it out for everyone to see.
No one there had ever received a letter before.
The letter was addressed to Heidi and it was from Clara.
Everyone sat down around the table and listened as Heidi read what Clara had to say.
Dear Heidi, The house has been so dull since you left.
I have persuaded my father to take me away in the autumn.
Grandmamma is going to join us, and then, we will come to visit you on the mountain.
Grandmamma thinks that you made a very good decision taking the rolls to Grannie, but she does not like the idea of Grannie eating them dry.
She is going to send some coffee.
When we come, Grandmamma would like to meet Grandfather and Grannie both.
Love, Clara.
Everyone was astonished and pleased with the news, and they talked excitedly about the days to come.
Finally, Heidi and Grandfather decided it was time to go.
As the happy group separated, both Heidi and Grandfather promised to visit again soon.
"I will patch some more holes in your hut before the autumn winds come," promised Grandfather.
Unfortunately, just as Clara was excitedly preparing for her trip, her health turned for the worse.
The doctor advised her father that Clara was too sick to travel.
Herr Sesemann paced back and forth, scratching his chin as he always did when he was thinking hard.
"My good friend, you shall go and visit Heidi on our behalf," he declared.
The doctor was surprised;
this was the furthest thing from his mind.
"You have been sad ever since your daughter died," Herr Sesemann continued.
"A journey is just the thing.
And you can bring presents for Heidi from Clara and Grandmamma."
Clara had been listening to the conversation with great disappointment up until now.
She suddenly spoke up:
"Oh, yes! You can see the mountain and meet Grandfather and Grannie and Peter and the goats.
When you return, you can tell us all about them."
When the doctor saw Clara smile, he knew that he couldn't disappoint her.
"Yes, Clara," he said.
"I will most certainly go and bring you back all the news I can.
When I return, I expect that you will be well enough to go yourself!"
Clara's father clapped his hands in approval and called for Sebastian and Fraulein to come join them.
Soon, they were busily helping to plan the doctor's trip.