Hewasawaythreeweeks。Thefirstdayortwo,mychargesatinacornerofthelibrary,toosadforeitherreadingorplaying:inthatquietstateshecausedmelittletrouble;butitwassucceededbyanintervalofimpatientfretfulweariness;andbeingtoobusy,andtoooldthen,torunupanddownamusingher,Ihitonamethodbywhichshemightentertainherself。Iusedtosendheronhertravelsroundthegrounds——nowonfoot,andnowonapony;indulgingherwithapatientaudienceofallherrealandimaginaryadventures,whenshereturned。
Thesummershoneinfullprime;andshetooksuchatasteforthissolitaryramblingthatsheoftencontrivedtoremainoutfrombreakfasttilltea;andthentheeveningswerespentinrecountingherfancifultales。
Ididnotfearherbreakingbounds;becausethegatesweregenerallylocked,andIthoughtshewouldscarcelyventureforthalone,iftheyhadstoodwideopen。Unluckily,myconfidenceprovedmisplaced。Catherinecametome,onemorning,ateighto\'clock,andsaidshewasthatdayanArabianmerchant,goingtocrossthedesertwithhiscaravan;andImustgiveherplentyofprovisionforherselfandbeasts:ahorse,andthreecamels,personatedbyalargehoundandacoupleofpointers。Igottogethergoodstoreofdainties,andslungtheminabasketononesideofthesaddle;
andshesprangupasgayasafairy,shelteredbyherwide-brimmedhatandgauzeveilfromtheJulysun,andtrottedoffwithamerrylaugh,mockingmycautiouscounseltoavoidgalloping,andcomebackearly。Thenaughtythingnevermadeherappearanceattea。Onetraveller,thehound,beinganolddogandfondofitsease,returned;butneitherCathy,northepony,northetwopointerswerevisibleinanydirection:Idispatchedemissariesdownthispath,andthatpath,andatlastwentwanderinginsearchofhermyself。Therewasalabourerworkingatafenceroundaplantation,onthebordersofthegrounds。Iinquiredofhimifhehadseenouryounglady。
`Isawheratmorn,\'hereplied;`shewouldhavemetocutherahazelswitch,andthensheleaptherGallowayoverthehedgeyonder,whereitislowest,andgallopedoutofsight。\'
YoumayguesshowIfeltathearingthisnews。ItstruckmedirectlyshemusthavestartedforPenistoneCrags。`Whatwillbecomeofher?\'I
ejaculated,pushingthroughagapwhichthemanwasrepairing,andmakingstraighttothehighroad。Iwalkedasifforawager,mileaftermile,tillaturnbroughtmeinviewoftheHeights;butnoCatherinecouldI
detectfarornear。TheCragslieaboutamileandahalfbeyondMrHeathcliff\'splace,andthatisfourfromtheGrange,soIbegantofearnightwouldfallereIcouldreachthem。`Andwhatifsheshouldhaveslippedinclamberingamongthem?\'Ireflected,`andbeenkilled,orbrokensomeofherbones?\'
Mysuspensewastrulypainful;and,atfirst,itgavemedelightfulrelieftoobserve,inhurryingbythefarmhouse,Charlie,thefiercestofthepointers,lyingunderawindow,withswelledheadandbleedingear。Iopenedthewicketandrantothedoor,knockingvehementlyforadmittance。AwomanwhomIknew,andwhoformerlylivedatGimmerton,answered:shehadbeenservanttheresincethedeathofMrEarnshaw。
`Ah,\'saidshe,`youarecomeaseekingyourlittlemistress!
don\'tbefrightened。She\'sheresafe:butI\'mgladitisn\'tthemaster。\'
`Heisnotathomethen,ishe?\'Ipanted,quitebreathlesswithquickwalkingandalarm。
`No,no,\'shereplied:`bothheandJosephareoff,andIthinktheywon\'treturnthishourormore。Stepinandrestyouabit。\'
Ientered,andbeheldmystraylambseatedonthehearth,rockingherselfinalittlechairthathadbeenhermother\'swhenachild。Herhatwashungagainstthewall,andsheseemedperfectlyathome,laughingandchattering,inthebestspiritsimaginable,toHareton——nowagreat,strongladofeighteen——whostaredatherwithconsiderablecuriosityandastonishment:comprehendingpreciouslittleofthefluentsuccessionofremarksandquestionswhichhertongueneverceasedpouringforth。
`Verywell,miss!\'Iexclaimed,concealingmyjoyunderanangrycountenance。`Thisisyourlastride,tillpapacomesback。I\'llnottrustyouoverthethresholdagain,younaughty,naughtygirl!\'
`Aha,Ellen!\'shecriedgaily,jumpingupandrunningtomyside。
`Ishallhaveaprettystorytotelltonight:andsoyou\'vefoundmeout。
Haveyoueverbeenhereinyourlifebefore?\'
`Putthathaton,andhomeatonce,\'saidI。`I\'mdreadfullygrievedatyou,MissCathy:you\'vedoneextremelywrong。It\'snousepoutingandcrying:thatwon\'trepaythetroubleI\'vehad,scouringthecountryafteryou。TothinkhowMrLintonchargedmetokeepyouin;andyoustealingoffso!itshowsyouarea,cunninglittlefox,andnobodywillputfaithinyouanymore。
`WhathaveIdone?\'sobbedshe,instantlychecked。`Papachargedmenothing:he\'llnotscoldme,Ellen——he\'snevercross,likeyou!\'
`Come,come!\'Irepeated。`I\'lltietheriband。Now,letushavenopetulance。Oh,forshame!Youthirteenyearsold,andsuchababy!\'
Thisexclamationwascausedbyherpushingthehatfromherhead,andretreatingtothechimneyoutofmyreach。
`Nay,\'saidtheservant,`don\'tbehardonthebonnylass,MrsDean。Wemadeherstop:she\'dfainhaveriddenforwards,afeardyoushouldbeuneasy。ButHaretonofferedtogowithher,andIthoughtheshould:
it\'sawildroadoverthehills。\'
Hareton,duringthediscussion,stoodwithhishandsinhispockets,tooawkwardtospeak;thoughhelookedasifhedidnotrelishmyintrusion。
`HowlongamItowait?\'Icontinued,disregardingthewoman\'sinterference。`Itwillbedarkintenminutes。Whereisthepony,MissCathy?AndwhereisPhoenix?Ishallleaveyou,unlessyoubequick;sopleaseyourself。\'
`Theponyisintheyard,\'shereplied,`andPhoenixisshutinthere。He\'sbitten——andsoisCharlie。Iwasgoingtotellyouallaboutit;butyouareinabadtemper,anddon\'tdeservetohear。\'
Ipickedupherhat,andapproachedtoreinstateit;butperceivingthatthepeopleofthehousetookherpart,shecommencedcaperingroundtheroom;andonmygivingchase,ranlikeamouseoverandunderandbehindthefurniture,renderingitridiculousformetopursue。Haretonandthewomanlaughed,andshejoinedthem,andwaxedmoreimpertinentstill;tillIcried,ingreatirritation:
`Well,MissCathy,ifyouwereawarewhosehousethisis,you\'dbegladenoughtogetout。
`It\'syourfather\'s,isn\'tit?\'saidshe,turningtoHareton。
`Nay,\'hereplied,lookingdown,andblushingbashfully。
Hecouldnotstandasteadygazefromhereyes,thoughtheywerejusthisown。
`Whosethen——yourmaster\'s?\'sheasked。
Hecoloureddeeper,withadifferentfeeling,mutteredanoath,andturnedaway。
`Whoishismaster?\'continuedthetiresomegirl,appealingtome。`Hetalkedabout``ourhouse\'\',and``ourfolk\'\'。Ithoughthehadbeentheowner\'sson。Andheneversaid,Miss;heshouldhavedone,shouldn\'the,ifhe\'saservant?\'
Haretongrewblackasathundercloud,atthischildishspeech。
Isilentlyshookmyquestioner,andatlastsucceededinequippingherfordeparture。
`Now,getmyhorse,\'shesaid,addressingherunknownkinsmanasshewouldoneofthestable-boysattheGrange。`Andyoumaycomewithme。Iwanttoseewherethegoblin-hunterrisesinthemarsh,andtohearaboutthefairishes,asyoucallthem:butmakehaste!What\'sthematter?Getmyhorse,Isay。
`I\'llseetheedamnedbeforeIbethyservant!\'growledthelad。`You\'llseemewhat?\'askedCatherineinsurprise。`Damned——thousaucywitch!\'hereplied。
`There,MissCathy!youseeyouhavegotintoprettycompany,Iinterposed。`Nicewordstobeusedtoayounglady!Praydon\'tbegintodisputewithhim。Come,letusseekforMinnyourselves,andbegone。\'
`But,Ellen,\'criedshe,staring,fixedinastonishment,`howdarehespeaksotome?Mustn\'thebemadetodoasIaskhim?Youwickedcreature,Ishalltellpapawhatyousaid——Now,then!\'
Haretondidnotappeartofeelthisthreat;sothetearssprangintohereyeswithindignation。`Youbringthepony,\'sheexclaimed,turningtothewoman,`andletmydogfreethismoment!\'
`Softly,miss,\'answeredtheaddressed:`you\'lllosenothingbybeingcivil。ThoughMrHareton,there,benotthemaster\'sson,he\'syourcousin;andIwasneverhiredtoserveyou。\'
`Hemycousin!\'criedCathy,withascornfullaugh。`Yes,indeed,\'respondedherreprover。
`Oh,Ellen!don\'tletthemsaysuchthings,\'shepursued,ingreattrouble。`PapaisgonetofetchmycousinfromLondon:mycousinisagentleman\'sson。Thatmy\'——shestopped,andweptoutright;upsetatthebarenotionofrelationshipwithsuchaclown。
`Hush,hush!\'Iwhispered,`peoplecanhavemanycousins,andofallsorts,MissCathy,withoutbeinganytheworseforit;onlytheyneedn\'tkeeptheircompany,iftheybedisagreeableandbad。\'
`He\'snot——he\'snotmycousin,Ellen!\'shewenton,gatheringfreshgrieffromreflection,andflingingherselfintomyarmsforrefugefromtheidea。
Iwasmuchvexedatherandtheservantfortheirmutualrevelations;
havingnodoubtofLinton\'sapproachingarrival,communicatedbytheformer,beingreportedtoMrHeathcliff;andfeelingasconfidentthatCatherine\'sfirstthoughtonherfather\'sreturn,wouldbetoseekanexplanationofthelatter\'sassertionconcerningherrude-bredkindred。Hareton,recoveringfromhisdisgustatbeingtakenforaservant,seemedmovedbyherdistress;
and,havingfetchedtheponyroundtothedoor,hetook,topropitiateher,afinecrooked-leggedterrierwhelpfromthekennel,andputtingitintoherhandbidherwisht!forhemeantnought。Pausinginherlamentations,shesurveyedhimwithaglanceofaweandhorror,thenburstforthanew。
Icouldscarcelyrefrainfromsmilingatthisantipathytothepoorfellow;whowasawell-made,athleticyouth,good-lookinginfeatures,andstoutandhealthy,butattiredingarmentsbefittinghisdailyoccupationsofworkingonthefarm,andloungingamongthemoorsafterrabbitsandgame。Still,IthoughtIcoulddetectinhisphysiognomyamindowningbetterqualitiesthanhisfathereverpossessed。Goodthingslostamidawildernessofweeds,tobesure,whoseranknessfarovertoppedtheirneglectedgrowth;yet,notwithstanding,evidenceofawealthysoil,thatmightyieldluxuriantcropsunderotherandfavourablecircumstances。MrHeathcliff,Ibelieve,hadnottreatedhimphysicallyill,thankstohisfearlessnature,whichofferednotemptationtothatcourseofoppression:
ithadnoneofthetimidsusceptibilitythatwouldhavegivenzesttoill-treatment,inHeathcliff\'sjudgment。Heappearedtohavebenthismalevolenceonmakinghimabrute:hewasnevertaughttoreadorwrite;neverrebukedforanybadhabitwhichdidnotannoyhiskeeper;neverledasinglesteptowardsvirtue,orguardedbyasinglepreceptagainstvice。AndfromwhatIheard,Josephcontributedmuchtohisdeterioration,byanarrow-mindedpartialitywhichpromptedhimtoflatterandpethim,asaboy,becausehewastheheadoftheoldfamily。AndashehadbeeninthehabitofaccusingCatherineEarnshawandHeathcliff,whenchildren,ofputtingthemasterpasthispatience,andcompellinghimtoseeksolaceindrinkbywhathetermedtheir`offalldways\',soatpresenthelaidthewholeburdenofHareton\'sfaultsontheshouldersoftheusurperofhisproperty。Iftheladswore,hewouldn\'tcorrecthim:norhoweverculpablyhebehaved。ItgaveJosephsatisfaction,apparently,towatchhimgotheworstlengths:heallowedthathewasruined:thathissoulwasabandonedtoperdition;butthen,hereflectedthatHeathcliffmustanswerforit。Hareton\'sbloodwouldberequiredathishands;andtherelayimmenseconsolationinthatthought。
Josephhadinstilledintohimaprideofname,andofhislineage;hewould,hadhedared,havefosteredhatebetweenhimandthepresentowneroftheHeights:buthisdreadofthatowneramountedtosuperstition;andheconfinedhisfeelingsregardinghimtomutteredinnuendoesandprivatecomminations。
Idon\'tpretendtobeintimatelyacquaintedwiththemodeoflivingcustomaryinthosedaysatWutheringHeights:Ionlyspeakfromhearsay;forIsawlittle。ThevillagersaffirmedMrHeathcliffwasnear,andacruelhardlandlordtohistenants;butthehouse,inside,hadregaineditsancientaspectofcomfortunderfemalemanagement,andthescenesofriotcommoninHindley\'stimewerenotnowenactedwithinitswalls。Themasterwastoogloomytoseekcompanionshipwithanypeople,goodorbad;andheisyet。
This,however,isnotmakingprogresswithmystory。MissCathyrejectedthepeaceofferingoftheterrier,anddemandedherowndogs,CharlieandPhoenix。Theycamelimping,andhangingtheirheads;andwesetoutforhome,sadlyoutofsorts,everyoneofus。Icouldnotwringfrommylittleladyhowshehadspenttheday;exceptthat,asIsupposed,thegoalofherpilgrimagewasPenistoneCrags;andshearrivedwithoutadventuretothegateofthefarmhouse,whenHaretonhappenedtoissueforth,attendedbysomecaninefollowers,whoattackedhertrain。Theyhadasmartbattle,beforetheirownerscouldseparatethem:thatormedanintroduction。CatherinetoldHaretonwhoshewas,ndwhereshewasgoing;
andaskedhimtoshowhertheway:finally,beguilinghimtoaccompanyher。HeopenedthemysteriesoftheFairyCave,andtwentyotherqueerplaces。But,beingindisgrace,Iwasnotfavouredwithadescriptionoftheinterestingobjectsshesaw。Icouldgather,however,thatherguidehadbeenafavouritetillshehurthisfeelingsbyaddressinghimasaservant;andHeathcliffshousekeeperhurthersbycallinghimhercousin。
Thenthelanguagehehadheldtoherrankledinherheart;shewhowasalways`love\',and`darling\',and`queen\',and`angel\',witheverybodyattheGrange,tobeinsultedsoshockinglybyastranger!Shedidnotcomprehendit;andhardworkIhadtoobtainapromisethatshewouldnotlaythegrievancebeforeherfather。IexplainedhowheobjectedtothewholehouseholdattheHeights,andhowsorryhewouldbetofindshehadbeenthere;butIinsistedmostonthefact,thatifsherevealedmynegligenceofhisorders,hewouldperhapsbesoangry,thatIshouldhavetoleave;
andCathycouldn\'tbearthatprospect:shepledgedherword,andkeptit,formysake。Afterall,shewasasweetlittlegirl。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter19Aletter,edgedwithblack,announcedthedayofmymaster\'sreturn。Isabellawasdead;andhewrotetobidmegetmourningforhisdaughter,andarrangearoom,andotheraccommodations,forhisyouthfulnephew。Catherineranwildwithjoyattheideaofwelcomingherfatherback;andindulgedmostsanguineanticipationsoftheinnumerableexcellencesofher`real\'cousin。
Theeveningoftheirexpectedarrivalcame。Sinceearlymorning,shehadbeenbusyorderingherownsmallaffairs;andnow,attiredinhernewblackfrock——poorthing!heraunt\'sdeathimpressedherwithnodefinitesorrow——sheobligedme,byconstantworrying,towalkwithherdownthroughthegroundstomeetthem。
`LintonisjustsixmonthsyoungerthanIam,\'shechattered,aswestrolledleisurelyovertheswellsandhollowsofmossyturf,undershadowofthetrees。`Howdelightfulitwillbetohavehimforaplayfellow!
AuntIsabellasentpapaabeautifullockofhishair;itwaslighterthanmine——moreflaxen,andquiteasfine。Ihaveitcarefullypreservedinalittleglassbox:andI\'veoftenthoughtwhatpleasureitwouldbetoseeitsowner。Oh!Iamhappy——andpapa,dear,dearpapa!Come,Ellen,letusrun!come,run。\'
Sheran,andreturnedandranagain,manytimesbeforemysoberfootstepsreachedthegate,andthensheseatedherselfonthegrassybankbesidethepath,andtriedtowaitpatiently;butthatwasimpossible:
shecouldn\'tbestillaminute。
`Howlongtheyare!\'sheexclaimed。`Ah,Iseesomedustontheroadtheyarecoming?No!Whenwilltheybehere?Maywenotgoalittleway——halfamile,Ellen:onlyjusthalfamile?Dosayyes:tothatclumpofbirchesattheturn!\'
Irefusedstaunchly。Atlengthhersuspensewasended:thetravellingcarriagerolledinsight。MissCathyshriekedandstretchedoutherarms,assoonasshecaughtherfather\'sfacelookingfromthewindow。Hedescended,nearlyaseagerasherself:andaconsiderableintervalelapsederetheyhadathoughttospareforanybutthemselves。Whiletheyexchangedcaresses,ItookapeepintoseeafterLinton。Hewasasleepinacorner,wrappedinawarm,fur-linedcloak,asifithadbeenwinter。Apale,delicate,effeminateboy,whomighthavebeentakenformymaster\'syoungerbrother,sostrongwastheresemblance:buttherewasasicklypeevishnessinhisaspect,thatEdgarLintonneverhad。Thelattersawmelooking;andhavingshakenhands,advisedmetoclosethedoor,andleavehimundisturbed;
forthejourneyhadfatiguedhim。Cathywouldfainhavetakenoneglance,butherfathertoldhertocomeon,andtheywalkedtogetherupthepark,whileIhastenedbeforetopreparetheservants。
`Now,darling,\'saidMrLinton,addressinghisdaughter,astheyhaltedatthebottomofthefrontsteps;`yourcousinisnotsostrongorsomerryasyouare,andhehaslosthismother,remember,averyshorttimesince;therefore,don\'texpecthimtoplayandrunaboutwithyoudirectly。Anddon\'tharasshimmuchbytalking:lethimbequietthisevening,atleast,willyou?\'
Yes,yes,papa,\'answeredCatherine:`butIdowanttoseehim;
andhehasn\'toncelookedout。\'
Thecarriagestopped;andthesleeperbeingroused,wasliftedtothegroundbyhisuncle。
`ThisisyourcousinCathy,Linton,\'hesaid,puttingtheirlittlehandstogether。`She\'sfondofyoualready;andmindyoudon\'tgrieveherbycryingtonight。Trytobecheerfulnow;thetravellingisatanend,andyouhavenothingtodobutrestandamuseyourselfasyouplease。\'
`Letmegotobed,then,\'answeredtheboy,shrinkingfromCatherine\'ssalute;andheputhisfingerstohiseyestoremoveincipienttears。
`Come,come,there\'sagoodchild,\'Iwhispered,leadinghimin。
`You\'llmakeherweeptoo——seehowsorrysheisforyou!\'
Idonotknowwhetheritweresorrowforhim,buthiscousinputonassadacountenanceashimself,andreturnedtoherfather。Allthreeentered,andmountedtothelibrary,whereteawaslaidready。IproceededtoremoveLinton\'scapandmantle,andplacedhimonachairbythetable;
buthewasnosoonerseatedthanhebegantocryafresh。Mymasterinquiredwhatwasthematter。
`Ican\'tsitonachair,\'sobbedtheboy。
`Gotothesofa,then,andEllenshallbringyousometea,answeredhisunclepatiently。
Hehadbeengreatlytriedduringthejourney,Ifeltconvinced,byhisfretfulailingcharge。Lintonslowlytrailedhimselfoff,andlaydown。Cathycarriedafootstoolandhercuptohisside。Atfirstshesatsilent;butthatcouldnotlast:shehadresolvedtomakeapetofherlittlecousin,asshewouldhavehimtobe;andshecommencedstrokinghiscurls,andkissinghischeek,andofferinghimteainhersaucer,likeababy。Thispleasedhim,forhewasnotmuchbetter:hedriedhiseyes,andlightenedintoafaintsmile。
`Oh,he\'lldoverywell,\'saidthemastertome,afterwatchingthemaminute。`Verywell,ifwecankeephim,Ellen。Thecompanyofachildofhisownagewillinstilnewspiritintohimsoon,andbywishingforstrengthhe\'llgainit。\'
`Ay,ifwecankeephim!\'Imusedtomyself;andsoremisgivingscameovermethattherewasslighthopeofthat。Andthen,Ithought,howeverwillthatweaklingliveatWutheringHeights,betweenhisfatherandHareton,whatplaymatesandinstructorsthey\'llbe。OurdoubtswerepresentlydecidedevenearlierthanIexpected。Ihadjusttakenthechildrenupstairs,afterteawasfinished,andseenLintonasleep——hewouldnotsuffermetoleavehimtillthatwasthecase——Ihadcomedown,andwasstandingbythetableinthehall,lightingabedroomcandleforMrEdgar,whenamaidsteppedoutofthekitchenandinformedmethatMrHeathcliff\'sservantJosephwasatthedoor,andwishedtospeakwiththemaster。
`Ishallaskhimwhathewantsfirst,\'Isaid,inconsiderabletrepidation。`Averyunlikelyhourtobetroublingpeople,andtheinstanttheyhavereturnedfromalongjourney。Idon\'tthinkthemastercanseehim。\'
JosephhadadvancedthroughthekitchenasIutteredthesewords,andnowpresentedhimselfinthehall。HewasdonnedinhisSundaygarments,withhismostsanctimoniousandsourestface,and,holdinghishatinonehandandhisstickintheother,heproceededtocleanhisshoesonthemat。
`Goodevening,Joseph,\'Isaidcoldly。`Whatbusinessbringsyouheretonight?\'
`It\'sMaisterLintonAwmunspaketull,\'heanswered,wavingmedisdainfullyaside。
`MrLintonisgoingtobed;unlessyouhavesomethingparticulartosay,I\'msurehewon\'thearitnow,\'Icontinued。`Youhadbettersitdowninthere,andentrustyourmessagetome。
`Whichishisrahm?\'pursuedthefellow,surveyingtherangeofcloseddoors。
Iperceivedhewasbentonrefusingmymediation,soveryreluctantlyIwentuptothelibrary,andannouncedtheunseasonablevisitor,advisingthatheshouldbedismissedtillnextday。MrLintonhadnotimetoempowermetodoso,forJosephmountedcloseatmyheels,and,pushingintotheapartment,plantedhimselfatthefarsideofthetable,withhistwofistsclappedontheheadofhisstick,andbeganinanelevatedtone,asifanticipatingopposition:
`Heathcliffhassendmeforhislad,andAwmunn\'tgoaback\'bouthim。\'
EdgarLintonwassilentaminute;anexpressionofexceedingsorrowovercasthisfeatures:hewouldhavepitiedthechildonhisownaccount;
but,recallingIsabella\'shopesandfears,andanxiouswishesforherson,andhercommendationsofhimtohiscare,hegrievedbitterlyattheprospectofyieldinghimup,andsearchedinhishearthowitmightbeavoided。
Noplanoffereditself:theveryexhibitionofanydesiretokeephimwouldhaverenderedtheclaimantmoreperemptory:therewasnothingleftbuttoresignhim。However,hewasnotgoingtorousehimfromhissleep。
`TellMrHeathcliff,\'heansweredcalmly,`thathissonshallcometoWutheringHeightstomorrow。Heisinbed,andtootiredtogothedistancenow。YoumayalsotellhimthatthemotherofLintondesiredhimtoremainundermyguardianship;and,atpresent,hishealthisveryprecarious。\'
`Noa!\'saidJoseph,givingathudwithhisproponthefloor,andassuminganauthoritativeair;`noa!thatmanesnowt。Hathecliffmaksnoa\'cahntuht\'mother,nuryahnorther;budhe\'llhevhislad;undAwmuntakhim——soanahyahknaw!\'
`Youshallnottonight!\'answeredLintondecisively。`Walkdownstairsatonce,and,repeattoyourmasterwhatIhavesaid。Ellen,showhimdown。
Go——\'
And,aidingtheindignantelderwithaliftbythearm,heridtheroomofhim,andclosedthedoor。
`Varrahweell!\'shoutedJoseph,asheslowlydrewoff。`Tuhmorn,he\'scomehisseln,unthrusthimaht,ifyahdarr!\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter20Toobviatethedangerofthisthreatbeingfulfilled,MrLintoncommissionedmetotaketheboyhomeearly,onCatherine\'spony;and,saidhe:`Asweshallnowhavenoinfluenceoverhisdestiny,goodorbad,youmustsaynothingofwhereheisgone,tomydaughter:shecannotassociatewithhimhereafter,anditisbetterforhertoremaininignoranceofhisproximity;
lestsheshouldberestless,andanxioustovisittheHeights。Merelytellherhisfathersentforhimsuddenly,andhehasbeenobligedtoleaveus。\'
Lintonwasveryreluctanttoberousedfromhisbedatfiveo\'clock,andastonishedtobeinformedthathemustprepareforfurthertravelling;
butIsoftenedoffthematterbystatingthathewasgoingtospendsometimewithhisfather,MrHeathcliff,whowishedtoseehimsomuch,hedidnotliketodeferthepleasuretillheshouldrecoverfromhislatejourney。
`Myfather!\'hecried,instrangeperplexity。`MammanevertoldmeIhadafather。Wheredoeshelive?I\'dratherstaywithuncle。\'
`HelivesalittledistancefromtheGrange,\'Ireplied;`justbeyondthosehills:notsofar,butyoumaywalkoverherewhenyougethearty。Andyoushouldbegladtogohome,andtoseehim。Youmusttrytolovehim,asyoudidyourmother,andthenhewillloveyou。\'
`ButwhyhaveInotheardofhimbefore?\'askedLinton。`Whydidn\'tmammaandhelivetogether,asotherpeopledo?\'
`Hehadbusinesstokeephiminthenorth,\'Ianswered,`andyourmother\'shealthrequiredhertoresideinthesouth。\'
`Andwhydidn\'tmammaspeaktomeabouthim?\'perseveredthechild。
`Sheoftentalkedofuncle,andIlearnttolovehimlongago。HowamI
tolovepapa?Idon\'tknowhim。\'
`Oh,allchildrenlovetheirparents,\'Isaid。`Yourmother,perhaps,thoughtyouwouldwanttobewithhimifshementionedhimoftentoyou。
Letusmakehaste。Anearlyrideonsuchabeautifulmorningismuchpreferabletoanhour\'smoresleep。
`Isshetogowithus,\'hedemanded:`thelittlegirlI
sawyesterday?\'repliedI。
`Isuncle?\'hecontinued。
`No,Ishallbeyourcompanionthere,\'Isaid。
Lintonsankbackonhispillowandfellintoabrownstudy。
`Iwon\'tgowithoutuncle,\'hecriedatlength:`Ican\'ttellwhereyoumeantotakeme。\'
Iattemptedtopersuadehimofthenaughtinessofshowingreluctancetomeethisfather;stillheobstinatelyresistedanyprogresstowardsdressing,andIhadtocallformymaster\'sassistanceincoaxinghimoutofbed。Thepoorthingwasfinallygotoff,withseveraldelusiveassurancesthathisabsenceshouldbeshort;thatMrEdgarandCathywouldvisithim,andotherpromises,equallyill-founded,whichIinventedandreiteratedatintervalsthroughouttheway。Thepureheather-scentedair,andthebrightsunshine,andthegentlecanterofMinny,relievedhisdespondencyafterawhile。Hebegantoputquestionsconcerninghisnewhome,anditsinhabitants,withgreaterinterestandliveliness。
`IsWutheringHeightsaspleasantaplaceasThrushcrossGrange?\'
heinquired,turningtotakealastglanceintothevalley,whencealightmistmountedandformedafleecycloudontheskirtsoftheblue。
`Itisnotsoburiedintrees,\'Ireplied,`anditisnotquitesolarge,butyoucanseethecountrybeautifullyallround;andtheairishealthierforyou——fresheranddryer。Youwill,perhaps,thinkthebuildingoldanddarkatfirst;thoughitisarespectablehouse:thenextbestintheneighbourhood。Andyouwillhavesuchniceramblesonthemoors。
HaretonEarnshaw——thatisMissCathy\'sothercousin,andsoyoursinamanner——willshowyouallthesweetestspots;andyoucanbringabookinfineweather,andmakeagreenhollowyourstudy;and,nowandthen,yourunclemayjoinyouinawalk:hedoes,frequently,walkoutonthehills。\'
`Andwhatismyfatherlike?\'heasked。`Isheasyoungandhandsomeasuncle?\'
`He\'sasyoung,\'saidI;`buthehasblackhairandeyes,andlookssterner;andheistallerandbiggeraltogether。He\'llnotseemtoyousogentleandkindatfirst,perhaps,becauseitisnothisway:still,mindyou,befrankandcordialwithhim;andnaturallyhe\'llbefonderofyouthananyuncle,foryouarehisown。\'
`Blackhairandeyes!\'musedLinton。`Ican\'tfancyhim。ThenIamnotlikehim,amI?\'
`Notmuch,\'Ianswered:notamorsel,Ithought,surveyingwithregretthewhitecomplexionandslimframeofmycompanion,andhislargelanguideyes——hismother\'seyes,savethat,unlessamorbidtouchinesskindledthemamoment,theyhadnotavestigeofhersparklingspirit。
`Howstrangethatheshouldnevercometoseemammaandme!\'hemurmured。`Hasheeverseenme?Ifhehave,Imusthavebeenababy。I
remembernotasinglethingabouthim!\'
`Why,MasterLinton,\'saidI,`threehundredmilesisagreatdistance;andtenyearsseemverydifferentinlengthtoagrown-uppersoncomparedwithwhattheydotoyou。ItisprobableMrHeathcliffproposedgoingfromsummertosummer,butneverfoundaconvenientopportunity;
andnowitistoolate。Don\'ttroublehimwithquestionsonthesubject:
itwilldisturbhim,fornogood。\'
Theboywasfullyoccupiedwithhisowncogitationsfortheremainderoftheride,tillwehaltedbeforethefarmhousegardengate。Iwatchedtocatchhisimpressionsinhiscountenance。Hesurveyedthecarvedfrontandlow-browedlattices,thestragglinggooseberrybushesandcrookedfirs,withsolemnintentness,andthenshookhishead:hisprivatefeelingsentirelydisapprovedoftheexteriorofhisnewabode。Buthehadsensetopostponecomplaining:theremightbecompensationwithin。Beforehedismounted,Iwentandopenedthedoor。Itwashalfpastsix;thefamilyhadjustfinishedbreakfast;theservantwasclearingandwipingdownthetable。Josephstoodbyhismaster\'schairtellingsometaleconcerningalamehorse;andHaretonwaspreparingforthehayfield。
`Hallo,Nelly!\'criedMrHeathcliff,whenhesawme。`IfearedIshouldhavetocomedownandfetchmypropertymyself。You\'vebroughtit,haveyou?Letusseewhatwecanmakeofit。\'
Hegotupandstrodetothedoor。HaretonandJosephfollowedingapingcuriosity。PoorLintonranafrightenedeyeoverthefacesofthethree。
`Sure-ly,\'saidJoseph,afteragraveinspection,`he\'sswoppedwi\'ye,maister,an\'yon\'shislass!\'
Heathcliff,havingstaredhissonintoanagueofconfusion,utteredascornfullaugh。
`God!whatabeauty!whatalovely,charmingthing!\'heexclaimed。
`Haven\'ttheyreareditonsnailsandsourmilk,Nelly?Oh,damnmysoul!
butthat\'sworsethanIexpected——andthedevilknowsIwasnotsanguine!\'
Ibidthetremblingandbewilderedchildgetdown,andenter。
Hedidnotthoroughlycomprehendthemeaningofhisfather\'sspeech,orwhetheritwereintendedforhim:indeed,hewasnotyetcertainthatthegrim,sneeringstrangerwashisfather。Butheclungtomewithgrowingtrepidation;andonMrHeathcliff\'stakingaseatandbiddinghim`comehither\',hehidhisfaceonmyshoulderandwept。
`Tut,tut!\'saidHeathcliff,stretchingoutahandanddragginghimroughlybetweenhisknees,andthenholdinguphisheadbythechin。
`Noneofthatnonsense!We\'renotgoingtohurtthee,Linton——isn\'tthatthyname?Thouartthymother\'schild,entirely!Whereismyshareinthee,pulingchicken?\'
Hetookofftheboy\'scapandpushedbackhisthickflaxencurls,felthisslenderarmsandhissmallfingers;duringwhichexamination,Lintonceasedcrying,andliftedhisgreatblueeyestoinspecttheinspector。
`Doyouknowme?\'askedHeathcliff,havingsatisfiedhimselfthatthelimbswereallequallyfrailandfeeble。
`No,\'saidLinton,withagazeofvacantfear。
`You\'veheardofme,Idaresay?\'
`No,\'herepliedagain。
`No?Whatashameofyourmother,nevertowakenyourfilialregardforme!Youaremyson,then,I\'lltellyou;andyourmotherwasawickedsluttoleaveyouinignoranceofthesortoffatheryoupossessed。Now,don\'twince,andcolourup!Thoughitissomethingtoseeyouhavenotwhiteblood。Beagoodlad;andI\'lldoforyou。Nelly,ifyoubetiredyoumaysitdown;ifnot,gethomeagain。Iguessyou\'llreportwhatyouhearandseetothecipherattheGrange;andthisthingwon\'tbesettledwhileyoulingeraboutit。\'
`Well,\'repliedI,`Ihopeyou\'llbekindtotheboy,MrHeathcliff,oryou\'llnotkeephimlong;andhe\'sallyouhaveakininthewideworld,thatyouwilleverknow——remember。\'
`I\'llbeverykindtohim,youneedn\'tfear,\'hesaid,laughing。`Onlynobodyelsemustbekindtohim:I\'mjealousofmonopolizinghisaffection。And,tobeginmykindness,Joseph,bringtheladsomebreakfast。
Hareton,youinfernalcalf,begonetoyourwork。Yes,Nell,\'headded,whentheyhaddeparted,`mysonisprospectiveownerofyourplace,andIshouldnotwishhimtodietillIwascertainofbeinghissuccessor。
Besides,he\'smine,andIwantthetriumphofseeingmydescendantfairlylordoftheirestates:mychildhiringtheirchildrentotilltheirfather\'slandsforwages。Thatisthesoleconsiderationwhichcanmakemeendurethewhelp:Idespisehimforhimself,andhatehimforthememoriesherevives!Butthatconsiderationissufficient:he\'sassafewithme,andshallbetendedascarefullyasyourmastertendshisown。Ihavearoomupstairs,furnishedforhiminhandsomestyle:I\'veengagedatutor,also,tocomethreetimesaweek,fromtwentymilesdistance,toteachhimwhathepleasestolearn。I\'veorderedHaretontoobeyhim;andinfactI\'vearrangedeverythingwithaviewtopreservethesuperiorandthegentlemaninhim,abovehisassociates。Idoregret,however,thathesolittledeservesthetrouble;ifIwishedanyblessingintheworld,itwastofindhimaworthyobjectofpride;andI\'mbitterlydisappointedwiththewhey-facedwhiningwretch!\'
Whilehewasspeaking,Josephreturnedbearingabasinofmilkporridge,andplaceditbeforeLinton。Hestirredroundthehomelymesswithalookofaversion,andaffirmedhecouldnoteatit。Isawtheoldmanservantsharedlargelyinhismaster\'sscornofthechild;thoughhewascompelledtoretainthesentimentinhisheart,becauseHeathcliffplainlymeanthisunderlingstoholdhiminhonour。
`Cannotateit?\'repeatedhe,peeringinLinton\'sface,andsubduinghisvoicetoawhisper,forfearofbeingoverheard。`ButMaisterHaretonniviratenaughtelse,whenheweralittleun;andwhatweregooideneughforhim\'sgooideneughforye,Aw\'sraytherthink!\'
`Ishan\'teatit!\'answeredLintonsnappishly。`Takeitaway。\'Josephsnatchedupthefoodindignantly,andbroughtittous。`Isthereaughtailsth\'victuals?\'heaskedthrustingthetrayunderHeathcliff\'snose。
`Whatshouldailthem?\'hesaid。
`Wah!\'answeredJoseph,`yondaintychapsayshecannutateem。
ButAwguessit\'sraight!Hismotherwerjustsoa——wewera\'mosttoomuckytosowt\'cornformakkingherbreead。\'
`Don\'tmentionhismothertome,\'saidthemasterangrily。`Gethimsomethingthathecaneat,that\'sall。Whatishisusualfood,Nelly?\'
Isuggestedboiledmilkortea;andthehousekeeperreceivedinstructionstopreparesome。Come,Ireflected,hisfather\'sselfishnessmaycontributetohiscomfort。Heperceiveshisdelicateconstitution,andthenecessityoftreatinghimtolerably。I\'llconsoleMrEdgarbyacquaintinghimwiththeturnHeathcliff\'shumourhastaken。HavingnoexcuseforlingeringlongerIslippedout,whileLintonwasengagedintimidlyrebuildingtheadvancesofafriendlysheepdog。Buthewastoomuchonthealerttobecheated:asIclosedthedoor,Iheardacry,andafranticrepetitionofthewords:
`Don\'tleaveme!I\'llnotstayhere!I\'llnotstayhere!\'
Thenthelatchwasraisedandfell:theydidnotsufferhimtocomeforth。ImountedMinny,andurgedhertoatrot;andsomybriefguardianshipended。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter21WehadsadworkwithlittleCathythatday;sheroseinhighglee,eagertojoinhercousin,andsuchpassionatetearsandlamentationsfollowedthenewsofhisdeparture,thatEdgarhimselfwasobligedtosootheher,byaffirmingheshouldcomebacksoon:headded,however,`ifIcangethim\';andtherewerenohopesofthat。Thispromisepoorlypacifiedher:
buttimewasmorepotent;andthoughstillatintervalssheinquiredofherfatherwhenLintonwouldreturn,beforeshedidseehimagainhisfeatureshadwaxedsodiminhermemorythatshedidnotrecognizehim。
WhenIchancedtoencounterthehousekeeperofWutheringHeightsinpayingbusinessvisitstoGimmerton,Iusedtoaskhowtheyoungmastergoton;forhelivedalmostassecludedasCatherineherself,andwasnevertobeseen。Icouldgatherfromherthathecontinuedinweakhealth,andwasatiresomeinmate。ShesaidMrHeathcliffseemedtodislikehimeverlongerandworse,thoughhetooksometroubletoconcealit:hehadanantipathytothesoundofhisvoice,andcouldnotdoatallwithhissittinginthesameroomwithhimmanyminutestogether。Thereseldompassedmuchtalkbetweenthem:Lintonlearnthislessonsandspenthiseveningsinasmallapartmenttheycalledtheparlour:orelselayinbedallday:
forhewasconstantlygettingcoughs,andcolds,andaches,andpainsofsomesort。
`AndIneverknewsuchafaint-heartedcreature,\'addedthewoman;
`noronesocarefulofhisseln。Hewillgoon,ifIleavethewindowopenabitlateintheevening。Oh!it\'skilling!abreathofnightair!
Andhemusthaveafireinthemiddleofsummer;andJoseph\'sbaccapipeispoison;andhemustalwayshavesweetsanddainties,andalwaysmilk,milkforever——heedingnaughthowtherestofusarepinchedinwinter;
andtherehe\'llsit,wrappedinhisfurredcloakinhischairbythefire,sometoastandwaterorothersloponthehobtosipat;andifHareton,forpity,comestoamusehim——Haretonisnotbad-natured,thoughhe\'srough——they\'resuretopart,oneswearingandtheothercrying。IbelievethemasterwouldrelishEarnshaw\'sthrashinghimtoamummy,ifhewerenothisson;andI\'mcertainhewouldbefittoturnhimoutofdoors,ifheknewhalfthenursinghegiveshisseln。Butthen,hewon\'tgointodangeroftemptation:
heneverenterstheparlour,andshouldLintonshowthosewaysinthehousewhereheis,hesendshimupstairsdirectly。\'
Idivined,fromthisaccount,thatutterlackofsympathyhadrenderedyoungHeathcliffselfishanddisagreeable,ifhewerenotsooriginally;
andmyinterestinhim,consequently,decayed:thoughstillIwasmovedwithasenseofgriefathislot,andawishthathehadbeenleftwithus。MrEdgarencouragedmetogaininformation:hethoughtagreatdealabouthim,Ifancy,andwouldhaverunsomerisktoseehim;andhetoldmeoncetoaskthehousekeeperwhetherheevercameintothevillage?Shesaidhehadonlybeentwice,onhorseback,accompanyinghisfather,andbothtimeshepretendedtobequiteknockedupforthreeorfourdaysafterwards。
Thehousekeeperleft,ifIrecollectrightly,twoyearsafterhecame;
andanother,whomIdidnotknow,washersuccessor:shelivestherestill。
TimeworeonattheGrangeinitsformerpleasantway,tillMissCathyreachedsixteen。Ontheanniversaryofherbirthwenevermanifestedanysignsofrejoicing,becauseitwasalsotheanniversaryofmylatemistress\'sdeath。Herfatherinvariablyspentthatdayaloneinthelibrary;
andwalked,atdusk,asfarasGimmertonkirkyard,wherehewouldfrequentlyprolonghisstaybeyondmidnight。ThereforeCatherinewasthrownonherownresourcesforamusement。ThisbothofMarchwasabeautifulspringday,andwhenherfatherhadretired,myyoungladycamedowndressedforgoingout,andsaidshehadaskedtohavearambleontheedgeofthemoorswithme;andMrLintonhadgivenherleave,ifwewentonlyashortdistanceandwerebackwithinthehour。
`Somakehaste,Ellen!\'shecried。`IknowwhereIwishtogo;
whereacolonyofmoorgamearesettled:Iwanttoseewhethertheyhavemadetheirnestsyet。
`Thatmustbeagooddistanceup,\'Ianswered;`theydon\'tbreedontheedgeofthemoor。
`No,it\'snot,\'shesaid。`I\'vegoneverynearwithpapa。\'
Iputonmybonnetandsalliedout,thinkingnothingmoreofthematter。Sheboundedbeforeme,andreturnedtomyside,andwasoffagainlikeayounggreyhound;and,atfirst,Ifoundplentyofentertainmentinlisteningtothelarkssingingfarandnear,andenjoyingthesweet,warmsunshine;andwatchingher,mypet,andmydelight,withhergoldenringletsflyingloosebehind,andherbrightcheek,assoftandpureinitsbloomasawildrose,andhereyesradiantwithcloudlesspleasure。
Shewasahappycreature,andanangel,inthosedays。It\'sapityshecouldnotbecontent。
`Well,\'saidI,`whereareyourmoorgame,MissCathy?Weshouldbeatthem:theGrangeparkfenceisagreatwayoffnow。\'
`Oh,alittlefarther——onlyalittlefarther,Ellen,\'washeranswercontinually。`Climbtothathillock,passthatbank,andbythetimeyoureachtheothersideIshallhaveraisedthebirds。\'
Butthereweresomanyhillocksandbankstoclimbandpass,that,atlength,Ibegantobeweary,andtoldherwemusthalt,andretraceoursteps。Ishoutedtoher,asshehadoutstrippedmealongway;sheeitherdidnothearordidnotregard,forshestillsprangon,andIwascompelledtofollow。Finally,shedivedintoahollow;andbeforeIcameinsightofheragain,shewastwomilesnearerWutheringHeightsthanherownhome;andIbeheldacoupleofpersonsarresther,oneofwhomIfeltconvincedwasMrHeathcliffhimself。
Cathyhadbeencaughtinthefactofplundering,or,atleast,huntingoutthenestsofthegrouse。TheHeightswereHeathcliff\'sland,andhewasreprovingthepoacher。
`I\'veneithertakenanynorfoundany,\'shesaid,asItoiledtothem,expandingherhandsincorroborationofthestatement。`Ididn\'tmeantotakethem;butpapatoldmetherewerequantitiesuphere,andIwishedtoseetheeggs。\'
Heathcliffglancedatmewithanill-meaningsmile,expressinghisacquaintancewiththeparty,and,consequently,hismalevolencetowardsit,anddemandedwho`papa\'was?
`MrLintonofThrushcrossGrange,\'shereplied。`Ithoughtyoudidnotknowme,oryouwouldn\'thavespokeninthatway。\'
`Yousupposepapaishighlyesteemedandrespectedthen?\'hesaidsarcastically。
`Andwhatareyou?\'inquiredCatherine,gazingcuriouslyonthespeaker。`ThatmanI\'veseenbeforeIsheyourson?\'
ShepointedtoHareton,theotherindividual,whohadgainednothingbutincreasedbulkandstrengthbytheadditionoftwoyearstohisage:
heseemedasawkwardandroughasever。