When Clara's father stepped onto the ground in front of Grandfather's hut, two girls walked toward him.
Leaning on a smaller girl, whose eyes were dancing with joy, was a tall girl with fair hair and pink cheeks.
She reminded Herr Sesemann of his late wife, and he almost thought he was dreaming.
"Don't you know me, Papa?"
called Clara, her face beaming with happiness.
He stared at the two children.
All at once, tears streamed from his eyes.
He ran to Clara and clasped her in his arms.
He stepped back to look at her again.
"Are you my little Clara?
Are you really my Clara?" he kept saying over and over.
Heidi's heart beat with gladness.
Herr Sesemann had always been good to her, and she was thrilled to see him so happy.
Grandmamma introduced Herr Sesemann to Grandfather, and everyone settled down at Grandfather's table to talk.
After a few moments, they heard a rustling noise from behind the goats' shed.
"I think someone is hiding there," said Grandfather.
Everyone looked; it was Peter.
When Herr Sesemann saw Peter peek out from his hiding place, he called to him,
"Come out, boy. Don't be afraid."
Peter was scared stiff.
He knew everyone was watching, so he screwed up his courage and came forward.
"It was I. I broke it to pieces, and no one can put it together again," he exclaimed.
Confused, Grandmamma and Herr Sesemann looked at each other.
"Is that poor boy out of his mind?" asked Herr Sesemann.
"Not in the least," said Grandfather.
"It turns out that he was the wind that sent Clara's wheelchair down the mountain, and he is expecting his well-deserved punishment."
But nobody wanted to punish Peter.
Grandmamma thought he looked like a nice boy who had acted recklessly.
Peter explained everything to her, including how he had been jealous of Heidi for having so many visitors and how he had missed seeing her.
"You are a good boy to tell us," said Grandmamma, with a smile.
"Now I will give you a gift for being truthful."
Peter could hardly believe his ears.
After careful thought, he shyly asked for a penny.
Grandmamma laughed, opening her purse.
"I will give you enough pennies to have a penny a week for a whole year!" she declared.
After watching this scene, Herr Sesemann put his hand on Clara's shoulder.
"Grandfather," he said, "you have given me a gift that can never be repaid.
But if there is any way I can thank you, please let me know."
Grandfather was quiet for a moment.
"I am poor and old," he said, "and I have nothing to leave to Heidi when I die.
If you promise me that Heidi will never have to leave the mountain and earn her living among strangers, then you will be rewarding me richly."
Clara's father did not hesitate.
He said, "I consider Heidi as one of my family.
She will always be looked after.
I promise you that."
Then, Grandmamma realized that Heidi should be rewarded as well for being such a good friend to Clara.
"Heidi, what would you like for your reward?"
Heidi replied immediately, "I would like a warm, beautiful bed for Grannie.
Nothing would please me more!"
Grandmamma happily agreed.
Just then, the sun began to set, and its warm glow shone on the mountaintops in beautiful shades of red and orange.
Heidi felt that her life was truly blessed.
All her friends and family were happy and healthy, and she would never have to leave the mountain again.
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