The English style of the present version is then distinctive It has often been noticed that those who acquire a foreign language often learn to speak it with unusual clearness and purity For illustration we need go no further than Joseph Conrad a Pole probably the greatest master of narrative English writing today or to our own fellow-citizen Carl Schurz In the present case the writer has lived seven years in America and has strengthened an excellent training with a wide reading of the best English classics Many people say that they read without noticing the author’s style This is seldom quite true unconsciously everyone is impressed in some way or other by the style of every book or by its lack of style Children are particularly sensitive in this respect and should therefore as much as is practicable read only the best In the new translation of Heidi here offered to the public I believe that most readers will notice an especial flavor that very quality of delight vi Heidi
in mountain scenes in mountain people and in child life generally which is one of the chief merits of the German original The phrasing has also been carefully adapted to the purpose of reading aloud a thing that few translators think of In conclusion the author realizing the difference between the two languages has endeavored to write the story afresh as Johanna Spyri would have written it had English been her native tongue How successful the attempt has been the reader will judge Charles Wharton Stork Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania vii Johanna Spyri
Contents Part I Heidi’s Years of Learning and Travel I Going Up to the Alm-Uncle II With the Grandfather III On the Pasture IV In the Grandmother’s Hut V Two Visitors VI A New Chapter with New Things VII Miss Rottenmeier Has an Uncomfortable Day VIII Great Disturbances in the Sesemann House IX The Master of the House Hears of Strange Doings X A Grandmama XI Heidi Gains in Some Respects and Loses in Others 1 23 36 55 72 85 95 110 122 130 141
