Heidi Page #2

He's at school.

But how did you get down here, child?

My grandfather brought

me down on a sledge.

What does she look like, Bridget?

Very pretty. In fact, beautiful.

Oh, yes certainly that.

I 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?

Can you read, Heidi?

No.

See.

One of these days wind's gonna blow

this place right off the mountain.

Give me your hand.

Peter's grannie's blind.

Yes, I know.

And that 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.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Morning, Pastor.

Good morning, my friend.

May I have a word?

Mind the tables there, children.

The child, Heidi.

What about her?

The teacher has sent

you messages pointing out,

that she should be at 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.

They at least won't give

her any bad ideas.

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

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

Going to school.

And just how do you suggest

we get her there?

Mmm? 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.

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'll 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.

In fact, since then,

I've spent my every waking hour trying

to find a good home for her.

And now I'm delighted to say that

I've found one.

But she already has a good home. Here.

Living on top of a mountain like a hermit?

The people I work for have rich

relations in Frankfurt...

who have a child who's wheelchair bound,

and longs for a little playmate.

Some simple, unspoilt child of her own age.

In fact, someone just like Heidi, ight?

That's right.

How much are these rich

relatives offering you,

for providing this little 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 that 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 find

out what Heidi might think of this idea?

She's still a child.

She's also a human being.

And 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 fairly obvious why you're so

determined to hang on to her, isn't it?

You'll need someone to look after you

when you're no longer able to.

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 that 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, well, 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.

Now 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 really mean it.

Of course he meant it. He's famous

for that violent temper of his.

You do know, don't you,

that he killed a man in a brawl?

Why else do you think he lives alone here,

hiding away on 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 now.

Heidi, I will not tell you again.

Heidi, where are you going?

Mind your own business.

Can I not just go in and say goodbye

to grannie first?

We have a train to catch,

there isn't time. Now come along, child.

Grannie'll be so disappointed

that I didn't say goodbye to her.

Well, you can bring her a present

when you come back.

Can I really?

Well, of course you can.

Some of those lovely white rolls that

they sell in Frankfurt.

What's your name, child?

Heidi.

That can't be your proper name, surely.

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 10.

I'll soon be 9.

What?

I distinctly remember saying we wanted

someone of Clara's own age. 11.

What books have you read?

None.

None?

I haven't learned to read yet.

Nor has Peter.

He thinks reading is a waste of time.

Peter?

The goatherd.

What have you learned to do, then?

Make cheese.

Really, Detie.

Er, beg pardon,

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!

Now what?

Have a room prepared for her.

Dinner is 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.

Well, I'll see you soon.

In a few days, yes?

Do you want to be called Heidi

or Adelheid?

My name's 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.

You do say the funniest things,

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