little body, and the feet were thrust into a pair of
heavy hob-nailed shoes.

An hour's climb brought the two travellers to the
hamlet lying halfway up to the Alm, ¹ and known
as "the Dbrfli" ² where they were hailed from every
side -- here, from an open window, yonder, from a
doorway, or by the people in the street; for this
was the young woman's native place. She did not
stop, however, but answered all questions and greet-
ings as she hurried along, until she reached the last
of the straggling houses at the end of the village;
here a voice called out through the open door: --

"Wait a moment, Dete; I will go with you if you
are going up the mountain."

The young woman stood still. Quickly freeing
her hand from her companion's, the child sat down
on the grass.

"Are you tired, Heidi?" asked Dete.
"No," was the reply, "I am hot."

"We are almost there now," said Dete encourag-
ingly. "If you will be brave a little longer and
take long steps, we shall get there in an hour."

A stout, good-natured looking woman now came
out of the house and joined the two. The child
jumped to her feet, and, falling a few paces be-

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