Post #8 Heidi By Johanna Spyri: Chapter 6 Summary

In chapter 6 the reader is introduced to Klara Sesemann, the twelve year old sickly daughter of Dete's employers' relative, Herr Sesemann. The reader is also introduced to Fräulein Rottenmeier, who was in charge of the Sesemann household after Klara's mother died. Heidi and her aunt Dete arrive late at Klara's house and Fräulein Rottenmeier tries to learn about Heidi to see if she will be a good playmate for Klara. Fräulein Rottenmeier is dissatisfied with Heidi for a number of reasons, such as her being four years younger than Klara and not being very well educated because she hasn't gone to school yet. However, Klara unlike Fräulein Rottenmeier takes a liking to Heidi and begins to talk to her to get to know her.

All of the people who work at Klara's house look down on Heidi and don't think that she is a good playmate for Klara. Heidi thinks that she will be leaving Frankfurt in the morning and going back to Dörfli to give some bread to Peter's grandmother because that is what her aunt told her when they were leaving for Frankfurt to convince her to leave. Heidi doesn't know that she will be staying there for a long time, to keep Klara company. During supper Heidi takes a bread roll to bring to Peter's grandmother because she still thinks that she is going back to her in the morning. Heidi's lack of table manners become clear to Fräulein Rottenmeier and she goes on to explain all of the rules of the house to Heidi, while she is doing this Heidi falls asleep, which amuses Klara. That is what happened in chapter 6.