With the onset of spring, Heidi and Grandfather return to the mountain, and she is overjoyed to roam about the meadow freely once again, soaking in the beauty of nature. Grandfather builds three new chairs in preparation for Clara’s visit. They are not certain if Frau Rottenmeier will come, but Grandfather makes her a chair just in case.

Peter arrives with a letter from Clara announcing that they will leave in two weeks, and Rottenmeier has decided not to come since Sebastian told her that the mountains were frightening and dangerous. Tinette also refuses to come, so Sebastian will accompany Grandmamma and Clara to Ragaz for her treatment, and then the pair will travel to Dörfli from there. Heidi can hardly contain her excitement, but Peter becomes angry hearing about all the visitors, and he “leapt away from the wall and began to swish his stick in the air furiously” (236).

Later, Heidi visits Grannie, who is well enough to sew again, but Heidi sees that something is upsetting her. Peter returned home from Heidi’s angry about the Frankfurt visitors, and Grannie secretly worries they will take Heidi from them again.