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70 HEIDI |
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friendliness ; " it would not be possible to send the child from here to school. But I can see that she is dear to you ; for her sake do what you ought to have done long ago; come down into Dorfli and live once more with human beings. What kind of a life is this up here, alone and embittered toward God and man ? If anything should happen to you up here, who would help you ? I cannot understand in the least why you are not half frozen all winter long in your hut, and how can the delicate child endure it ?'"
" The child has young blood and good shelter; that I can assure you, pastor. Moreover, I know where there is wood, and also when it is a good time to get it; the pastor ought to look into my shed; there is enough there so that the fire in my hut never goes out all winter long. It is not for me to go down into the valley as the pastor suggests ; the people down there despise me and I despise them, so it is better for both that we remain apart."
" No, no; it is not good for you ; I know what the trouble is," said the pastor earnestly. " As to the people scorning you down in the valley, it is not so bad. Believe me, neighbor, seek to make peace with your God; ask for his pardon if you have done any wrong, and then come and see how differently the people regard you, and how well it can still be with you."
The pastor rose, held out his hand to the old man, and said again with heartiness : —
" I count upon it, neighbor, that next winter you are to come down with us, for we are good old friends. |
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