`MissCathy，\'Iinterrupted，`itwillbethreehoursinsteadofonethatweareout，presently。Wereallymustgoback。\'
`No，thatmanisnotmyson，\'answeredHeathcliff，pushingmeaside。`ButIhaveone，andyouhaveseenhimbeforetoo；and，thoughyournurseisinahurry，Ithinkbothyouandshewouldbethebetterforalittlerest。Willyoujustturnthisnabofheath，andwalkintomyhouse？
You\'llgethomeearlierfortheease；andyoushallreceiveakindwelcome。
IwhisperedCatherinethatshemustn\'t，onanyaccount，accedetotheproposal:itwasentirelyoutofthequestion。
`Why？\'sheasked，aloud。`I\'mtiredofrunning，andthegroundisdewy:Ican\'tsithere。Letusgo，Ellen。Besides，hesaysIhaveseenhisson。He\'smistaken，Ithink；butIguesswherehelives:atthefarmhouseIvisitedincomingfromPenistoneCrags。Don\'tyou？\'
`Ido。Come，Nelly，holdyourtongue——itwillbeatreatforhertolookinonus。Hareton，getforwardswiththelass。Youshallwalkwithme，Nelly。\'
`No，she\'snotgoingtoanysuchplace，\'Icried，strugglingtoreleasemyarm，whichhehadseized:butshewasalmostatthedoorstonesalready，scamperingroundthebrowatfullspeed。Herappointedcompaniondidnotpretendtoescorther:heshiedoffbytheroadside，andvanished。
`MrHeathcliff，it\'sverywrong，\'Icontinued:`youknowyoumeannogood。Andthereshe\'llseeLinton，andallwillbetoldassoonaseverwereturn；andIshallhavetheblame。
`IwanthertoseeLinton，\'heanswered；`he\'slookingbetterthesefewdays:it\'snotoftenhe\'sfittobeseen。Andwe\'llsoonpersuadehertokeepthevisitsecret:whereistheharmofit？\'
`Theharmofitis，thatherfatherwouldhatemeifhefoundIsufferedhertoenteryourhouse；andIamconvincedyouhaveabaddesigninencouraginghertodoso，\'Ireplied。
`Mydesignisashonestaspossible。I\'llinformyouofitswholescope，\'hesaid。`Thatthetwocousinsmayfallinlove，andgetmarried。
I\'mactinggenerouslytoyourmaster:hisyoungchithasnoexpectations，andshouldshesecondmywishes，she\'llbeprovidedforatonceasjointsuccessorwithLinton。\'
`IfLintondied，\'Ianswered，`andhislifeisquiteuncertain，Catherinewouldbetheheir。\'
`No，shewouldnot，\'hesaid。`Thereisnoclauseinthewilltosecureitso:hispropertywouldgotome；but，topreventdisputes，Idesiretheirunion，andamresolvedtobringitabout。\'
`AndI\'mresolvedsheshallneverapproachyourhousewithmeagain，\'Ireturned，aswereachedthegate，whereMissCathywaitedourcoming。
Heathcliffbidmebequiet；and，precedingusupthepath，hastenedtoopenthedoor。Myyoungladygavehimseverallooks，asifshecouldnotexactlymakeuphermindwhattothinkofhim；butnowhesmiledwhenhemethereye，andsoftenedhisvoiceinaddressingher；andIwasfoolishenoughtoimaginethememoryofhermothermightdisarmhimfromdesiringherinjury。Lintonstoodonthehearth。Hehadbeenoutwalkinginthefields，forhiscapwason，andhewascallingtoJosephtobringhimdryshoes。Hehadgrowntallofhisage，stillwantingsomemonthsofsixteen。
Hisfeatureswereprettyyet，andhiseyeandcomplexionbrighterthanIrememberedthem，thoughwithmerelytemporarylustreborrowedfromthesalubriousairandgenialsun。
`Now，whoisthat？\'askedMrHeathcliff，turningtoCathy。`Canyoutell？\'
`Yourson？\'shesaid，havingdoubtfullysurveyed，firstoneandthentheother。
`Yes，yes，\'answeredhe:`butisthistheonlytimeyouhavebeheldhim？Think!Ah!youhaveashortmemory。Linton，don\'tyourecallyourcousin，thatyouusedtoteaseussowithwishingtosee？\'
`What，Linton!\'criedCathy，kindlingintojoyfulsurpriseatthename。`IsthatlittleLinton？He\'stallerthanIam!Areyou，Linton？\'
Theyouthsteppedforward，andacknowledgedhimself:shekissedhimfervently，andtheygazedwithwonderatthechangetimehadwroughtintheappearanceofeach。Catherinehadreachedherfullheight；herfigurewasbothplumpandslender，elasticassteel，andherwholeaspectsparklingwithhealthandspirits。Linton\'slooksandmovementswereverylanguid，andhisformextremelyslight；buttherewasagraceinhismannerthatmitigatedthesedefects，andrenderedhimnotunpleasing。Afterexchangingnumerousmarksoffondnesswithhim，hiscousinwenttoMrHeathcliff，wholingeredbythedoor，dividinghisattentionbetweentheobjectsinsideandthosethatlaywithout:pretending，thatis，toobservethelatter，andreallynotingtheformeralone。
`Andyouaremyuncle，then!\'shecried，reachinguptosalutehim。`IthoughtIlikedyou，thoughyouwerecrossatfirst。Whydon\'tyouvisitattheGrangewithLinton？Tolivealltheseyearssuchcloseneighbours，andneverseeus，isodd:whathaveyoudonesofor？\'
`Ivisiteditonceortwicetoooftenbeforeyouwereborn，\'heanswered。`There——damnit!Ifyouhaveanykissestospare，givethemtoLinton:theyarethrownawayonme。
`NaughtyEllen!\'exclaimedCatherine，flyingtoattackmenextwithherlavishcaresses。`WickedEllen!totrytohindermefromentering。
ButI\'lltakethiswalkeverymorninginfuture:mayI，uncle？andsometimesbringpapa。Won\'tyoubegladtoseeus？\'
`Ofcourse!\'repliedtheuncle，withahardlysuppressedgrimace，resultingfromhisdeepaversiontoboththeproposedvisitors。`Butstay，\'
hecontinued，turningtowardstheyounglady。`NowIthinkofit，I\'dbettertellyou。MrLintonhasaprejudiceagainstme:wequarrelledatonetimeofourlives，withunchristianferocity；and，ifyoumentioncomingheretohim，he\'llputavetoonyourvisitsaltogether。Therefore，youmustnotmentionit，unlessyoubecarelessofseeingyourcousinhereafter:
youmaycome，ifyouwill，butyoumustnotmentionit。\'
`Whydidyouquarrel？\'askedCatherine，considerablycrest-fallen。
`Hethoughtmetoopoortowedhissister，\'answeredHeathcliff，`andwasgrievedthatIgother:hispridewashurt，andhe\'llneverforgiveit。\'
`That\'swrong!\'saidtheyounglady:`sometime，I\'lltellhimso。ButLintonandIhavenoshareinyourquarrel。I\'llnotcomehere，then；heshallcometotheGrange。\'
`Itwillbetoofarforme，\'murmuredhercousin:`towalkfourmileswouldkillme。No，comehere，MissCatherine，nowandthen:noteverymorning，butonceortwiceaweek。\'
Thefatherlaunchedtowardshissonaglanceofbittercontempt。
`Iamafraid，Nelly，Ishalllosemylabour，\'hemutteredtome。
`MissCatherine，astheninnycallsher，willdiscoverhisvalue，andsendhimtothedevil。Now，ifithadbeenHareton!——Doyouknowthat，twentytimesaday，IcovetHareton，withallhisdegradation？I\'dhavelovedtheladhadhebeensomeoneelse。ButIthinkhe\'ssafefromherlove。I\'llpithimagainstthatpaltrycreature，unlessitbestiritselfbriskly。Wecalculateitwillscarcelylasttillitiseighteen。Oh，confoundthevapidthing!He\'sabsorbedindryinghisfeet，andneverlooksather——Linton!\'
`Yes，father，\'answeredtheboy。
`Haveyounothingtoshowyourcousinanywhereabout？notevenarabbitoraweasel\'snest？Takeherintothegarden，beforeyouchangeyourshoes；andintothestabletoseeyourhorse。
`Wouldn\'tyourathersithere？\'askedLinton，addressingCathyinatonewhichexpressedreluctancetomoveagain。
`Idon\'tknow，\'shereplied，castingalonginglooktothedoor，andevidentlyeagertobeactive。
Hekepthisseat，andshrankclosertothefire。Heathcliffrose，andwentintothekitchen，andfromthencetotheyard，callingoutforHareton。Haretonresponded，andpresentlythetworeentered。Theyoungmanhadbeenwashinghimself，aswasvisiblebytheglowonhischeeksandhiswettedhair。
`Oh，I\'llaskyou，uncle，\'criedMissCathy，recollectingthehousekeeper\'sassertion。`Thatisnotmycousin，ishe？\'
`Yes，\'hereplied，`yourmother\'snephew。Don\'tyoulikehim？\'
Catherinelookedqueer。`Ishenotahandsomelad？\'hecontinued。Theuncivillittlethingstoodontiptoe，andwhisperedasentenceinHeathcliff\'sear。Helaughed；Haretondarkened:Iperceivedhewasverysensitivetosuspectedslights，andhadobviouslyadimnotionofhisinferiority。Buthismasterorguardianchasedthefrownbyexclaiming:
`You\'llbethefavouriteamongus，Hareton!Shesaysyouarea——Whatwasit？Well，somethingveryflattering。Here!yougowithherroundthefarm。Andbehavelikeagentleman，mind!Don\'tuseanybadwords；anddon\'tstarewhentheyoungladyisnotlookingatyou，andbereadytohideyourfacewhensheis；and，whenyouspeak，sayyourwordsslowly，andkeepyourhandsoutofyourpockets。Beoff，andentertainherasnicelyasyoucan。
Hewatchedthecouplewalkingpastthewindow。Earnshawhadhiscountenancecompletelyavertedfromhiscompanion。Heseemedstudyingthefamiliarlandscapewithastranger\'sandanartist\'sinterest。Catherinetookaslylookathim，expressingsmalladmiration。Shethenturnedherattentiontoseekingoutobjectsofamusementforherself，andtrippedmerrilyon，liltingatunetosupplythelackofconversation。
`I\'vetiedhistongue，\'observedHeathcliff。`He\'llnotventureasinglesyllable，allthetime!Nelly，yourecollectmeathisage——nay，someyearsyounger。DidIeverlooksostupid:so``gaumless\'\'，asJosephcallsit？\'
`Worse，\'Ireplied，`becausemoresullenwithit。\'
`I\'veapleasureinhim，\'hecontinued，reflectingaloud。`Hehassatisfiedmyexpectations。IfhewereabornfoolIshouldnotenjoyithalfsomuch。Buthe\'snofool；andIcansympathizewithallhisfeelings，havingfeltthemmyself。Iknowwhathesuffersnow，forinstance，exactly:
itismerelyabeginningofwhatheshallsuffer，though。Andhe\'llneverbeabletoemergefromhisbathosofcoarsenessandignorance。I\'vegothimfasterthanhisscoundrelofafathersecuredme，andlower；forhetakesaprideinhisbrutishness。I\'vetaughthimtoscorneverythingextra-animalassillyandweak。Don\'tyouthinkHindleywouldbeproudofhisson，ifhecouldseehim？almostasproudasIamofmine。Butthere\'sthisdifference；
oneisgoldputtotheuseofpaving-stones，andtheotheristinpolishedtoapeaserviceofsilver。Minehasnothingvaluableaboutit；
yetIshallhavethemeritofmakingitgoasfarassuchpoorstuffcango。Hishadfirst-ratequalities，andtheyarelost:renderedworsethanunavailing。Ihavenothingtoregret；hewouldhavemorethananybutIareawareof。Andthebestofitis，Haretonisdamnablyfondofme!You\'llownthatI\'veoutmatchedHindleythere。Ifthedeadvillaincouldrisefromhisgravetoabusemeforhisoffspring\'swrongs，Ishouldhavethefunofseeingthesaidoffspringfighthimbackagain，indignantthatheshoulddaretorailattheonefriendhehasintheworld!\'
Heathcliffchuckledafiendishlaughattheidea。Imadenoreply，becauseIsawthatheexpectednone。Meantime，ouryoungcompanion，whosattooremovedfromustohearwhatwassaid，begantoevincesymptomsofuneasiness，probablyrepentingthathehaddeniedhimselfthetreatofCatherine\'ssocietyforfearofalittlefatigue。Hisfatherremarkedtherestlessglanceswanderingtothewindow，andthehandirresolutelyextendedtowardshiscap。
`Getup，youidleboy!\'heexclaimed，withassumedheartiness。
`Awayafterthem!theyarejustatthecorner，bythestandofhives。\'
Lintongatheredhisenergies，andleftthehearth。Thelatticewasopen，and，ashesteppedout，IheardCathyinquiringofherunsociableattendant，whatwasthatinscriptionoverthedoor？Haretonstaredup，andscratchedhisheadlikeatrueclown。
`It\'ssomedamnablewriting，\'heanswered。`Icannotreadit。\'
`Can\'treadit？\'criedCatherine；`Icanreadit:it\'sEnglish。
ButIwanttoknowwhyitisthere。\'
Lintongiggled:thefirstappearanceofmirthhehadexhibited。
`Hedoesnotknowhisletters，\'hesaidtohiscousin。`Couldyoubelieveintheexistenceofsuchacolossaldunce？\'
`Isheallasheshouldbe？\'askedMissCathyseriously；`orishesimple:notright？I\'vequestionedhimtwicenow，andeachtimehelookedsostupidIthinkhedoesnotunderstandme。Icanhardlyunderstandhim，I\'msure!\'
Lintonrepeatedhislaugh，andglancedatHaretontauntingly；
whocertainlydidnotseemquiteclearofcomprehensionatthatmoment。
`There\'snothingthematterbutlaziness；isthere，Earnshaw？\'
hesaid。`Mycousinfanciesyouareanidiot。Thereyouexperiencetheconsequenceofscorning``book-larning\'\'，asyouwouldsay。Haveyounoticed，Catherine，hisfrightfulYorkshirepronunciation？\'
`Why，wherethedevilistheuseon\'t？\'growledHareton，morereadyinansweringhisdailycompanion。Hewasabouttoenlargefurther，butthetwoyoungstersbrokeintoanoisyfitofmerriment；mygiddymissbeingdelightedtodiscoverthatshemightturnhisstrangetalktomatterofamusement。
`Whereistheuseofthedevilinthatsentence？\'titteredLinton。
`Papatoldyounottosayanybadwords，andyoucan\'topenyourmouthwithoutone。Dotrytobehavelikeagentleman，nowdo!\'
`Ifthouweren\'tmorealassthanalad，I\'dfelltheethisminute，Iwould；pitifullathofacrater!\'retortedtheangryboor，retreating，whilehisfaceburntwithmingledrageandmortification；forhewasconsciousofbeinginsulted，andembarrassedhowtoresentit。
MrHeathcliffhavingoverheardtheconversation，aswellasI，smiledwhenhesawhimgo；butimmediatelyafterwardscastalookofsingularaversionontheflippantpair，whoremainedchatteringinthedoorway:
theboyfindinganimationenoughwhilediscussingHareton\'sfaultsanddeficiencies，andrelatinganecdotesofhisgoings-on；andthegirlrelishinghispertandspitefulsayings，withoutconsideringtheillnaturetheyevinced:butIbegantodislike，morethantocompassionateLinton，andtoexcusehisfather，insomemeasure，forholdinghimcheap。
Westayedtillafternoon:IcouldnottearMissCathyaway，before；
buthappilymymasterhadnotquittedhisapartment，andremainedignorantofourprolongedabsence。Aswewalkedhome，Iwouldfainhaveenlightenedmychargeonthecharactersofthepeoplewehadquitted；butshegotitintoherheadthatIwasprejudicedagainstthem。
`Aha!\'shecried，`youtakepapa\'sside，Ellen:youarepartial，Iknow；orelseyouwouldn\'thavecheatedmesomanyyearsintothenotionthatLintonlivedalongwayfromhere。I\'mreallyextremelyangry；onlyI\'msopleasedIcan\'tshowit!Butyoumustholdyourtongueaboutmyuncle:he\'smyuncle，remember；andI\'llscoldpapaforquarrellingwithhim。
Andsosheranon，tillIdroppedendeavouringtoconvinceherofhermistake。Shedidnotmentionthevisitthatnight，becauseshedidnotseeMrLinton。Nextdayitallcameout，sadlytomychagrin；andstillIwasnotaltogethersorry:Ithoughttheburdenofdirectingandwarningwouldbemoreefficientlybornebyhimthanme。ButhewastootimidingivingsatisfactoryreasonsforhiswishthatsheshouldshunconnectionwiththehouseholdoftheHeights，andCatherinelikedgoodreasonsforeveryrestraintthatharassedherpettedwill。
`Papa!\'sheexclaimed，afterthemorning\'ssalutations，`guesswhomIsawyesterday，inmywalkonthemoors。Ah，papa，youstarted!you\'venotdoneright，haveyou，now？Isaw——Butlisten，andyoushallhearhowIfoundyouout；andEllen，whoisinleaguewithyou，andyetpretendedtopitymeso，whenIkepthoping，andwasalwaysdisappointedaboutLinton\'scomingback!\'
Shegaveafaithfulaccountofherexcursionanditsconsequences；
andmymaster，thoughhecastmorethanonereproachfullookatme，saidnothingtillshehadconcluded。Thenhedrewhertohim，andaskedifsheknewwhyhehadconcealedLinton\'snearneighbourhoodfromher。Couldshethinkitwastodenyherapleasurethatshemightharmlesslyenjoy？
`ItwasbecauseyoudislikedMrHeathcliff，\'sheanswered。
`ThenyoubelieveIcaremoreformyownfeelingsthanyours，Cathy？\'hesaid。`No，itwasnotbecauseIdislikedMrHeathcliff，butbecauseMrHeathcliffdislikesme；andisamostdiabolicalman，delightingtowrongandruinthosehehates，iftheygivehimtheslightestopportunity。
Iknewthatyoucouldnotkeepupanacquaintancewithyourcousin，withoutbeingbroughtintocontactwithhim；andIknewhewoulddetestyouonmyaccount；soforyourowngood，andnothingelse，ItookprecautionsthatyoushouldnotseeLintonagain。Imeanttoexplainthissometimeasyougrewolder，andI\'msorryIdelayedit。\'
`ButMrHeathcliffwasquitecordial，papa，\'observedCatherine，notatallconvinced；`andhedidn\'tobjecttoourseeingeachother:
hesaidImightcometohishousewhenIpleased；onlyImustnottellyou，becauseyouhadquarrelledwithhim，andwouldnotforgivehimformarryingauntIsabella。Andyouwon\'t。Youaretheonetobeblamed:
heiswillingtoletusbefriends，atleast；LintonandI；andyouarenot。
Mymaster，perceivingthatshewouldnottakehiswordforheruncle-in-law\'sevildisposition，gaveahastysketchofhisconducttoIsabella，andthemannerinwhichWutheringHeightsbecamehisproperty。
Hecouldnotbeartodiscourselonguponthetopic；forthoughhespokelittleofit，hestillfeltthesamehorroranddetestationofhisancientenemythathadoccupiedhishearteversinceMrsLinton\'sdeath。`Shemighthavebeenlivingyet，ifithadnotbeenforhim!\'washisconstantbitterreflection；and，inhiseyes，Heathcliffseemedamurderer。MissCathy——conversantwithnobaddeedsexceptherownslightactsofdisobedience，injustice，andpassion，risingfromhottemperandthoughtlessness，andrepentedofonthedaytheywerecommitted——wasamazedattheblacknessofspiritthatcouldbroodonandcoverrevengeforyears，anddeliberatelyprosecuteitsplanswithoutavisitationofremorse。Sheappearedsodeeplyimpressedandshockedatthisnewviewofhumannature——excludedfromallherstudiesandallherideastillnow——thatMrEdgardeemeditunnecessarytopursuethesubject。Hemerelyadded:
`Youwillknowhereafter，darling，whyIwishyoutoavoidhishouseandfamily；nowreturntoyouroldemploymentsandamusements，andthinknomoreaboutthem。\'
Catherinekissedherfatherandsatdownquietlytoherlessonsforacoupleofhours，accordingtocustom；thensheaccompaniedhimintothegrounds，andthewholedaypassedasusual:butintheevening，whenshehadretiredtoherroom，andIwenttohelphertoundress，Ifoundhercrying，onherkneesbythebedside。
`Oh，fie，sillychild!\'Iexclaimed。`Ifyouhadanyrealgriefs，you\'dbeashamedtowasteatearonthislittlecontrariety。Youneverhadoneshadowofsubstantialsorrow，MissCatherine。Suppose，foraminute，thatmasterandIweredead，andyouwerebyyourselfintheworld:howwouldyoufeelthen？Comparethepresentoccasionwithsuchanafflictionasthat，andbethankfulforthefriendsyouhave，insteadofcovetingmore。\'
`I\'mnotcryingformyself，Ellen，\'sheanswered，`it\'sforhim。
Heexpectedtoseemeagaintomorrow，andtherehe\'llbesodisappointed:
andhe\'llwaitforme，andIshan\'tcome!\'
`Nonsense，\'saidI，`doyouimaginehehasthoughtasmuchofyouasyouhaveofhim？Hasn\'theHaretonforacompanion？Notoneinahundredwouldweepatlosingarelationtheyhadjustseentwice，fortwoafternoons。Lintonwillconjecturehowitis，andtroublehimselfnofurtheraboutyou。\'
`ButmayInotwriteanotetotellhimwhyIcannotcome？\'sheasked，risingtoherfeet。`AndjustsendthosebooksIpromisedtolendhim？Hisbooksarenotasniceasmine，andhewantedtohavethemextremely，whenItoldhimhowinterestingtheywere。MayInot，Ellen？\'
`No，indeed!no，indeed!\'repliedI，withdecision。`Thenhewouldwritetoyou，andthere\'dneverbeanendofit。No，MissCatherine，theacquaintancemustbedroppedentirely:sopapaexpects，andIshallseethatitisdone。\'
`Buthowcanonelittlenote——\'sherecommenced，puttingonanimploringcountenance。
`Silence!\'Iinterrupted。`We\'llnotbeginwithyourlittlenotes。
Getintobed。\'
Shethrewatmeaverynaughtylook，sonaughtythatIwouldnotkisshergoodnightatfirst:Icoveredherup，andshutherdoor，ingreatdispleasure；but，repentinghalfway，Ireturnedsoftly，andlo!therewasmissstandingatthetablewithabitofblankpaperbeforeherandapencilinherhand，whichsheguiltilyslippedoutofsight，onmyentrance。
`You\'llgetnobodytotakethat，Catherine，\'Isaid，`ifyouwriteit；andatpresentIshallputoutyourcandle。\'
Isettheextinguisherontheflame，receivingasIdidsoaslaponmyhand，andpetulant`Crossthing!\'Ithenquittedheragain，andshedrewtheboltinoneofherworst，mostpeevishhumours。Theletterwasfinishedandforwardedtoitsdestinationbyamilk-fetcherwhocamefromthevillage:butthatIdidn\'tlearntillsometimeafterwards。Weekspassedon，andCathyrecoveredhertemper；thoughshegrewwondrousfondofstealingofftocornersbyherself；andoften，ifIcamenearhersuddenlywhilereading，shewouldstartandbendoverthebook，evidentlydesiroustohideit；andIdetectededgesofloosepaperstickingoutbeyondtheleaves。
Shealsogotatrickofcomingdownearlyinthemorningandlingeringaboutthekitchen，asifshewereexpectingthearrivalofsomething:andshehadasmalldrawerinacabinetinthelibrary，whichshewouldtrifleoverforhours，andwhosekeyshetookspecialcaretoremovewhensheleftit。
Oneday，assheinspectedthisdrawer，Iobservedthattheplaythings，andtrinketswhichrecentlyformeditscontents，weretransmutedintobitsoffoldedpaper。Mycuriosityandsuspicionswerearoused；Ideterminedtotakeapeepathermysterioustreasures；so，atnight，assoonassheandmymasterweresafeupstairs，Isearchedandreadilyfoundamongmyhousekeysonethatwouldfitthelock。Havingopened，Iemptiedthewholecontentsintomyapron，andtookthemwithmetoexamineatleisureinmyownchamber。ThoughIcouldnotbutsuspect，Iwasstillsurprisedtodiscoverthattheywereamassofcorrespondence——dailyalmost，itmusthavebeen——fromLintonHeathcliff:answerstodocumentsforwardedbyher。
Theearlierdatedwereembarrassedandshort；gradually，however，theyexpandedintocopiousloveletters，foolish，astheageofthewriterrenderednatural，yetwithtoucheshereandtherewhichIthoughtwereborrowedfromamoreexperiencedsource。Someofthemstruckmeassingularlyoddcompoundsofardourandflatness；commencinginstrongfeeling，andconcludingintheaffected，wordywaythataschoolboymightusetoafancied，incorporealsweetheart。WhethertheysatisfiedCathy，Idon\'tknow；buttheyappearedveryworthlesstrashtome。AfterturningoverasmanyasIthoughtproper，Itiedtheminahandkerchiefandsetthemaside，relockingthevacantdrawer。
Followingherhabit，myyoungladydescendedearly，andvisitedthekitchen:Iwatchedhergotothedoor，onthearrivalofacertainlittleboy；and，whilethedairymaidfilledhiscan，shetuckedsomethingintohisjacketpocket，andpluckedsomethingout。Iwentroundbythegarden，andlaidwaitforthemessenger；whofoughtvalorouslytodefendhistrust，andwespiltthemilkbetweenus；butIsucceededinabstractingtheepistle；and，threateningseriousconsequencesifhedidnotlooksharphome，IremainedunderthewallandperusedMissCathy\'saffectionatecomposition。
Itwasmoresimpleandmoreeloquentthanhercousin\'s；veryprettyandverysilly。Ishookmyhead，andwentmeditatingintothehouse。Thedaybeingwet，shecouldnotdivertherselfwithramblingaboutthepark；so，attheconclusionofhermorningstudies，sheresortedtothesolaceofthedrawer。Herfathersatreadingatthetable；andI，onpurpose，hadsoughtabitofworkinsomeunrippedfringesofthewindowcurtain，keepingmyeyesteadilyfixedonherproceedings。Neverdidanybirdflyingbacktoaplunderednestwhichithadleftbrimfulofchirpingyoungones，expressmorecompletedespairinitsanguishedcriesandflutterings，thanshebyhersingle`Oh!\'andthechangethattransfiguredherlatehappycountenance。
MrLintonlookedup。
`Whatisthematter，love？Haveyouhurtyourself？\'hesaid。
Histoneandlookassuredherhehadnotbeenthediscovererofthehoard。
`No，papa!\'shegasped。`Ellen!Ellen!comeupstairs-I\'msick!\'
Iobeyedhersummons，andaccompaniedherout。
`Oh，Ellen!youhavegotthem，\'shecommencedimmediately，droppingonherknees，whenwewereenclosedalone。`Oh，givethemtome，andI\'llnever，neverdosoagain!Don\'ttellpapa。Youhavenottoldpapa，Ellen？
sayyouhavenot？I\'vebeenexceedinglynaughty，butIwon\'tdoitanymore!\'
Withagraveseverityinmymanner，Ibidherstandup。
`So，\'Iexclaimed，`MissCatherine，youaretolerablyfaron，itseems:youmaywellbeashamedofthem!Afinebundleoftrashyoustudyinyourleisurehours，tobesure:why，it\'sgoodenoughtobeprinted!
AndwhatdoyousupposethemasterwillthinkwhenIdisplayitbeforehim？Ihaven\'tshownityet，butyouneedn\'timagineIshallkeepyourridiculoussecrets。Forshame!andyoumusthaveledthewayinwritingsuchabsurdities:hewouldnothavethoughtofbeginning，I\'mcertain。\'
`Ididn\'t!Ididn\'t!\'sobbedCathyfittobreakherheart。`I
didn\'toncethinkoflovinghimtill——\'
`Loving!\'criedI，asscornfullyasIcoulduttertheword。
`Loving!Didanybodyeverhearthelike!Imightjustaswelltalkoflovingthemillerwhocomesonceayeartobuyourcorn。Prettyloving，indeed!andbothtimestogetheryouhaveseenLintonhardlyfourhoursinyourlife!Nowhereisthebabyishtrash。I\'mgoingwithittothelibrary；
andwe\'llseewhatyourfathersaystosuchloving。\'
Shesprangatherpreciousepistles，butIheldthemabovemyhead；andthenshepouredoutfurtherfranticentreatiesthatIwouldburnthem——doanythingratherthanshowthem。Andbeingreallyfullyasinclinedtolaughasscold——forIesteemeditallgirlishvanity——Iatlengthrelentedinameasure，andasked:
`IfIconsenttoburnthem，willyoupromisefaithfullyneithertosendnorreceivealetteragain，norabookforIperceiveyouhavesenthimbooks，norlocksofhair，norrings，norplaythings？\'
`Wedon\'tsendplaythings!\'criedCatherine，herprideovercominghershame。
`Noranythingatall，then，mylady，\'Isaid。`Unlessyouwill，hereIgo。\'
`Ipromise，Ellen!\'shecried，catchingmydress。`Oh，puttheminthefire，do，do!\'
ButwhenIproceededtoopenaplacewiththepoker，thesacrificewastoopainfultobeborne。SheearnestlysupplicatedthatIwouldspareheroneortwo。
`Oneortwo，Ellen，tokeepforLinton\'ssake!\'
Iunknottedthehandkerchief，andcommenceddroppingtheminfromanangle，andtheflamecurledupthechimney。
`Iwillhaveone，youcruelwretch!\'shescreamed，dartingherhandintothefire，anddrawingforthsomehalfconsumedfragments，attheexpenseofherfingers。
`Verywell——andIwillhavesometoexhibittopapa!\'Ianswered，shakingbacktherestintothebundle，andturninganewtothedoor。
Sheemptiedherblackenedpiecesintotheflames，andmotionedmetofinishtheimmolation。Itwasdone；Istirreduptheashes，andinterredthemunderashovelfulofcoals；andshemutely，andwithasenseofintenseinjury，retiredtoherprivateapartment。Idescendedtotellmymasterthattheyounglady\'squalmofsicknesswasalmostgone，butIjudgeditbestforhertoliedownawhile。Shewouldn\'tdine；butshereappearedattea，pale，andredabouttheeyes，andmarvellouslysubduedinoutwardaspect。NextmorningIansweredtheletterbyaslipofpaper，inscribed，`MasterHeathcliffisrequestedtosendnomorenotestoMissLinton，asshewillnotreceivethem。\'And，thenceforth，thelittleboycamewithvacantpockets。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22Summerdrewtoanend，andearlyautumn:itwaspastMichaelmas，buttheharvestwaslatethatyear，andafewofourfieldswerestilluncleared。
MrLintonandhisdaughterwouldfrequentlywalkoutamongthereapers；
atthecarryingofthelastsheaves，theystayedtilldusk，andtheeveninghappeningtobechillanddamp，mymastercaughtabadcold，thatsettlingobstinatelyonhislungs，confinedhimindoorsthroughoutthewholeofthewinter，nearlywithoutintermission。
PoorCathy，frightenedfromherlittleromance，hadbeenconsiderablysadderanddullersinceitsabandonment；andherfatherinsistedonherreadingless，andtakingmoreexercise。Shehadhiscompanionshipnolonger；
Iesteemeditadutytosupplyitslack，asmuchaspossible，withmine:
aninefficientsubstitute；forIcouldonlysparetwoorthreehours，frommynumerousdiurnaloccupations，tofollowherfootsteps，andthenmysocietywasobviouslylessdesirablethanhis。
OnanafternooninOctober，orthebeginningofNovember——afreshwateryafternoon，whentheturfandpathswererustlingwithmoist，witheredleaves，andthecold，blueskywashalfhiddenbyclouds——darkgreystreamers，rapidlymountingfromthewest，andbodingabundantrain——Irequestedmyyoungladytoforegoherramble，becauseIwascertainofshowers。Sherefused；andIunwillinglydonnedacloak，andtookmyumbrellatoaccompanyheronastrolltothebottomofthepark；aformalwalkwhichshegenerallyaffectediflow-spirited——andthatsheinvariablywaswhenMrEdgarhadbeenworsethanordinary，athingneverknownfromhisconfession，butguessedbothbyherandme，fromhisincreasedsilenceandthemelancholyofhiscountenance。Shewentsadlyon:therewasnorunningorboundingnow，thoughthechillwindmightwellhavetemptedhertoarace。Andoften，fromthesideofmyeye，Icoulddetectherraisingahand，andbrushingsomethingoffhercheek。Igazedroundforameansofdivertingherthoughts。
Ononesideoftheroadroseahigh，roughbank，wherehazelsandstuntedoaks，withtheirrootshalfexposed，helduncertaintenure:thesoilwastoolooseforthelatter；andstrongwindshadblownsomenearlyhorizontal。
Insummer，MissCatherinedelightedtoclimbalongthesetrunks，andsitinthebranches，swingingtwentyfeetabovetheground；andI，pleasedwithheragilityandherlight，childishheart，stillconsidereditpropertoscoldeverytimeIcaughtheratsuchanelevation，butsothatsheknewtherewasnonecessityfordescending。Fromdinnertoteashewouldlieinherbreeze-rockedcradle，doingnothingexceptsingingoldsongs——mynurserylore——toherself，orwatchingthebirds，jointtenants，feedandenticetheiryoungonestofly:ornestlingwithclosedlids，halfthinking，halfdreaming，happierthanwordscanexpress。
`Look，miss!\'Iexclaimed，pointingtoanookundertherootsofonetwistedtree。`Winterisnothereyet。There\'salittleflowerupyonder，thelastbudfromthemultitudeofbluebellsthatcloudedthoseturfstepsinJulywithalilacmist。Willyouclamberup，andpluckittoshowtopapa？\'
Cathystaredalongtimeatthelonelyblossomtremblinginitsearthyshelter，andreplied，atlength:
`No，I\'llnottouchit:butitlooksmelancholy，doesitnot，Ellen？\'
`Yes，\'Iobserved，`aboutasstarvedandsacklessasyou:yourcheeksarebloodless；letustakeholdofhandsandrun。You\'resolow，IdaresayIshallkeepupwithyou。
`No，\'sherepeated，andcontinuedsaunteringon，pausing，atintervals，tomuseoverabitofmoss，oratuftofblanchedgrass，orafungusspreadingitsbrightorangeamongtheheapsofbrownfoliage；and，everandanon，herhandwasliftedtoheravertedface。
`Catherine，whyareyoucrying，love？\'Iasked，approachingandputtingmyarmoverhershoulder。`Youmustn\'tcrybecausepapahasacold；
bethankfulitisnothingworse。
Shenowputnofurtherrestraintonhertears；herbreathwasstifledbysobs。
`Oh，itwillbesomethingworse，\'shesaid。`AndwhatshallIdowhenpapaandyouleaveme，andIambymyself？Ican\'tforgetyourwords，Ellen；theyarealwaysinmyear。Howlifewillbechanged，howdrearytheworldwillbe，whenpapaandyouaredead。\'
`Nonecantell，whetheryouwon\'tdiebeforeus，\'Ireplied。`It\'swrongtoanticipateevil。We\'llhopethereareyearsandyearstocomebeforeanyofusgo:masterisyoung，andIamstrong，andhardlyforty-five。
Mymotherlivedtilleighty，acantydametothelast。AndsupposeMrLintonweresparedtillhesawsixty，thatwouldbemoreyearsthanyouhavecounted，miss。Andwoulditnotbefoolishtomournacalamityabovetwentyyearsbeforehand？\'
`ButAuntIsabellawasyoungerthanpapa，\'sheremarked，gazingupwithtimidhopetoseekfurtherconsolation。
`AuntIsabellahadnotyouandmetonurseher，\'Ireplied。`Shewasn\'tashappyasmaster:shehadn\'tasmuchtolivefor。Allyouneeddo，istowaitwellonyourfather，andcheerhimbylettinghimseeyoucheerful；andavoidgivinghimanxietyonanysubject:mindthat，Cathy!
I\'llnotdisguisebutyoumightkillhim，ifyouwerewildandreckless，andcherishedafoolish，fancifulaffectionforthesonofapersonwhowouldbegladtohavehiminhisgrave；andallowedhimtodiscoverthatyoufrettedovertheseparationhehadjudgeditexpedienttomake。\'
`Ifretaboutnothingonearthexceptpapa\'sillness，\'answeredmycompanion。`Icarefornothingincomparisonwithpapa。AndI\'llnever——never——oh，never，whileIhavemysenses，doanactorsayawordtovexhim。Ilovehimbetterthanmyself，Ellen；andIknowitbythis:IprayeverynightthatImayliveafterhim；becauseIwouldratherbemiserablethanthatheshouldbe:thatprovesIlovehimbetterthanmyself。\'
`Goodwords，\'Ireplied。`Butdeedsmustproveitalso；andafterheiswell，rememberyoudon\'tforgetresolutionsformedinthehouroffear。\'
Aswetalked，wenearedadoorthatopenedontheroad；andmyyounglady，lighteningintosunshineagain，climbedupandseatedherselfonthetopofthewall，reachingovertogathersomehipsthatbloomedscarletonthesummitbranchesofthewildrosetrees，shadowingthehighwayside:thelowerfruithaddisappeared，butonlybirdscouldtouchtheupper，exceptfromCathy\'spresentstation。Instretchingtopullthem，herhatfelloff；andasthedoorwaslocked，sheproposedscramblingdowntorecoverit。Ibidherbecautiouslestshegotafall，andshenimblydisappeared。
Butthereturnwasnosucheasymatter:thestonesweresmoothandneatlycemented，andtherose-bushesandblackberrystragglerscouldyieldnoassistanceinre-ascending。I，likeafool，didn\'trecollectthat，tillIheardherlaughingandexclaiming:
`Ellen，you\'llhavetofetchthekey，orelseImustrunroundtotheporter\'slodge。Ican\'tscaletherampartsonthisside!\'
`Staywhereyouare，\'Ianswered，`Ihavemybundleofkeysinmypocket:perhapsImaymanagetoopenit；ifnotI\'llgo。\'
Catherineamusedherselfwithdancingtoandfrobeforethedoor，whileItriedallthelargekeysinsuccession。Ihadappliedthelast，andfoundthatnonewoulddo；so，repeatingmydesirethatshewouldremainthere，IwasabouttohurryhomeasfastasIcould，whenanapproachingsoundarrestedme。Itwasthetrotofahorse；Cathy\'sdancestopped，andinaminutethehorsestoppedalso。
`Whoisthat？\'Iwhispered。
`Ellen，Iwishyoucouldopenthedoor，\'whisperedbackmycompanionanxiously。
`Ho，MissLinton!\'criedadeepvoicetherider\'s，`I\'mgladtomeetyou。Don\'tbeinhastetoenter，forIhaveanexplanationtoaskandobtain。\'
`Ishan\'tspeaktoyou，MrHeathcliff，\'answeredCatherine。`Papasaysyouareawickedman，andyouhatebothhimandme；andEllensaysthesame。\'
`Thatisnothingtothepurpose，\'saidHeathcliff。Heitwas。
`Idon\'thatemyson，Isuppose；anditisconcerninghimthatIdemandyourattention。Yes；youhavecausetoblush。Twoorthreemonthssince，wereyounotinthehabitofwritingtoLinton？makingloveinplay，eh？
Youdeserved，bothofyou，floggingforthat!Youespecially，theelder；
andlesssensitive，asitturnsout。I\'vegotyourletters，andifyougivemeanypertnessI\'llsendthemtoyourfather。Ipresumeyougrewwearyoftheamusementanddroppedit，didn\'tyou？Well，youdroppedLintonwithitintoasloughofdespond。Hewasinearnest:inlove，really。AstrueasIlive，he\'sdyingforyou；breakinghisheartatyourfickleness:
notfiguratively，butactually。ThoughHaretonhasmadehimastandingjestforsixweeks，andIhaveusedmoreseriousmeasures，andattemptedtofrightenhimoutofhisidiotcy，hegetsworsedaily；andhe\'llbeunderthesodbeforesummer，unlessyourestorehim!\'
`Howcanyouliesoglaringlytothepoorchild？\'Icalledfromtheinside。`Prayrideon!Howcanyoudeliberatelygetupsuchpaltryfalsehoods？MissCathy，I\'llknockthelockoffwithastone:youwon\'tbelievethatvilenonsense。Youcanfeelinyourself，itisimpossiblethatapersonshoulddieforloveofastranger。\'
`Iwasnotawaretherewereeavesdroppers，\'mutteredthedetectedvillain。`WorthyMrsDean，Ilikeyou，butIdon\'tlikeyourdouble-dealing，\'
headdedaloud。`Howcouldyouliesoglaringly，astoaffirmIhatedthe``poorchild\'\'？andinventbugbearstoriestoterrifyherfrommydoorstones？
CatherineLintontheverynamewarmsme，mybonnielass，Ishallbefromhomeallthisweek；goandseeifIhavenotspokentruth:do，there\'sadarling!Justimagineyourfatherinmyplace，andLintoninyours；thenthinkhowyouwouldvalueyourcarelessloverifherefusedtostirasteptocomfortyou，whenyourfatherhimselfentreatedhim；anddon\'t，frompurestupidity，fallintothesameerror。Iswear，onmysalvation，he\'sgoingtohisgrave，andnonebutyoucansavehim!\'
ThelockgavewayandIissuedout。
`IswearLintonisdying，\'repeatedHeathcliff，lookinghardatme。`Andgriefanddisappointmentarehasteninghisdeath。Nelly，ifyouwon\'tlethergo，youcanwalkoveryourself。ButIshallnotreturntillthistimenextweek；andIthinkyourmasterhimselfwouldscarcelyobjecttohervisitinghercousin!\'
`Comein，\'saidI，takingCathybythearmandhalf-forcinghertore-enter；forshelingered，viewingwithtroubledeyesthefeaturesofthespeaker，toosterntoexpresshisinwarddeceit。
Hepushedhishorseclose，and，bendingdown，observed:
`MissCatherine，I\'llowetoyouthatIhavelittlepatiencewithLinton；andHaretonandJosephhaveless。I\'llownthathe\'swithaharshset。Hepinesforkindness，aswellaslove；andakindwordfromyouwouldbehisbestmedicine。Don\'tmindMrsDean\'scruelcautions；butbegenerous，andcontrivetoseehim。Hedreamsofyoudayandnight，andcannotbepersuadedthatyoudon\'thatehim，sinceyouneitherwritenorcall。\'
Iclosedthedoor，androlledastonetoassisttheloosenedlockinholdingit；andspreadingmyumbrella，Idrewmychargeunderneath:
fortherainbegantodrivethroughthemoaningbranchesofthetrees，andwarnedustoavoiddelay。OurhurrypreventedanycommentontheencounterwithHeathcliff，aswestretchedtowardshome；butIdivinedinstinctivelythatCatherine\'sheartwascloudednowindoubledarkness。Herfeaturesweresosad，theydidnotseemhers:sheevidentlyregardedwhatshehadheardaseverysyllabletrue。
Themasterhadretiredtorestbeforewecamein。Cathystoletohisroomtoinquirehowhewas；hehadfallenasleep。Shereturned，andaskedmetositwithherinthelibrary。Wetookourteatogether；
andafterwardsshelaydownontherug，andtoldmenottotalk，forshewasweary。Igotabook，andpretendedtoread。Assoonasshesupposedmeabsorbedinmyoccupation，sherecommencedhersilentweeping:itappeared，atpresent，herfavouritediversion。Isufferedhertoenjoyitawhile；
thenIexpostulated:deridingandridiculingallMrHeathcliff\'sassertionsabouthisson，asifIwerecertainshewouldcoincide。Alas!Ihadn\'tskilltocounteracttheeffecthisaccounthadproduced:itwasjustwhatheintended。
`Youmayberight，Ellen，\'sheanswered；`butIshallneverfeelateasetillIknow。AndImusttellLintonitisnotmyfaultthatIdon\'twrite，andconvincehimthatIshallnotchange。\'
Whatusewereangerandprotestationsagainsthersillycredulity？
Wepartedthatnight——hostile；butnextdaybeheldmeontheroadtoWutheringHeights，bythesideofmywilfulyoungmistress\'spony。Icouldn\'tbeartowitnesshersorrow:toseeherpaledejectedcountenance，andheavyeyes；andIyielded，inthefainthopethatLintonhimselfmightprove，byhisreceptionofus，howlittleofthetalewasfoundedonfact。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]
WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter23Therainynighthadusheredinamistymorning——halffrost，halfdrizzleandtemporarybrookscrossedourpath——gurglingfromtheuplands。Myfeetwerethoroughlywetted；Iwascrossandlow；exactlythehumoursuitedformakingthemostofthesedisagreeablethings。Weenteredthefarmhousebythekitchenway，toascertainwhetherMrHeathcliffwerereallyabsent；
becauseIputslightfaithinhisownaffirmation。
Josephseemedsittinginasortofelysiumalone，besidearoaringfire；aquartofaleonthetablenearhim，bristlingwithlargepiecesoftoastedoatcake；andhisblack，shortpipeinhismouth。Catherinerantothehearthtowarmherself。Iaskedifthemasterwasin？Myquestionremainedsolongunanswered，thatIthoughttheoldmanhadgrowndeaf，andrepeateditlouder。
`Na-ay!\'hesnarled，orratherscreamedthroughhisnose。`Na-ay!
yahmuhgoabackwhearyahcoomfrough。\'
`Joseph!\'criedapeevishvoice，simultaneouslywithme，fromtheinnerroom。`HowoftenamItocallyou？Thereareonlyafewredashesnow。Joseph!comethismoment。
Vigorouspuffs，andaresolutestareintothegratedeclaredhehadnoearforthisappeal。ThehousekeeperandHaretonwereinvisible；
onegoneonanerrand，andtheotherathiswork，probably。WeknewLinton\'stones，andentered。
`Oh，Ihopeyou\'lldieinagarret!starvedtodeath，\'saidtheboy，mistakingourapproachforthatofhisnegligentattendant。
Hestopped，onobservinghiserror；hiscousinflewtohim。
`Isthatyou，MissLinton？\'hesaid，raisinghisheadfromthearmofthegreatchair，inwhichhereclined。`No——don\'tkissme:ittakesmybreath。Dearme!Papasaidyouwouldcall，\'continuedhe，afterrecoveringalittlefromCatherine\'sembrace；whileshestoodbylikingverycontrite。
`Willyoushutthedoor，ifyouplease？youleftitopen；andthose——thosedetestablecreatureswon\'tbringcoalstothefire。It\'ssocold!\'
Istirredupthecinders，andfetchedascuttlefulmyself。Theinvalidcomplainedofbeingcoveredwithashes；buthehadatiresomecough，andlookedfeverishandill，soIdidnotrebukehistemper。
`Well，Linton，\'murmuredCatherine，whenhiscorrugatedbrowrelaxed。
`Areyougladtoseeme？CanIdoyouanygood？\'
`Whydidn\'tyoucomebefore？\'heasked。`Youshouldhavecome，insteadofwriting。Ittiredmedreadfully，writingthoselongletters。
I\'dfarratherhavetalkedtoyou。Now，Icanneitherbeartotalk，noranythingelse。IwonderwhereZillahis!Willyoulookingatmestepintothekitchenandsee？\'
Ihadreceivednothanksformyotherservice；andbeingunwillingtorunouttoandfroathisbehest，Ireplied:
`NobodyisouttherebutJoseph。\'
`Iwanttodrink，\'heexclaimedfretfully，turningaway。`ZillahisconstantlygaddingofftoGimmertonsincepapawent:it\'smiserable!
AndI\'mobligedtocomedownhere——theyresolvednevertohearmeupstairs。\'
`Isyourfatherattentivetoyou，MasterHeathcliff？\'Iasked，perceivingCatherinetobecheckedinherfriendlyadvances。
`Attentive？Hemakesthemalittlemoreattentiveatleast，\'
hecried。`Thewretches!Doyouknow，MissLinton，thatbruteHaretonlaughsatme!Ihatehim!indeed，Ihatethemall:theyareodiousbeings。\'
Cathybegansearchingforsomewater；shelightedonapitcherinthedresser，filledatumbler，andbroughtit。Hebidheraddaspoonfulofwinefromabottleonthetable；andhavingswallowedasmallportion，appearedmoretranquil，andsaidshewasverykind。
`Andareyougladtoseeme？\'askedshe，reiteratingherformerquestion，andpleasedtodetectthefaintdawnofasmile。
`Yes，Iam。It\'ssomethingnewtohearavoicelikeyours!\'hereplied。`ButIhavebeenvexed，becauseyouwouldn\'tcome。Andpapasworeitwasowingtome:hecalledmeapitiful，shuffling，worthlessthing；andsaidyoudespisedme；andifhehadbeeninmyplace，hewouldbemorethemasteroftheGrangethanyourfather，bythistime。Butyoudon\'tdespiseme，doyou，Miss——
`IwishyouwouldsayCatherine，orCathy，\'interruptedmyyounglady。`Despiseyou？No!NexttopapaandEllen，Iloveyoubetterthananybodyliving。Idon\'tloveMrHeathcliff，though；andIdarenotcomewhenhereturns；willhestayawaymanydays？\'
`Notmany，\'answeredLinton；`buthegoesontothemoorsfrequently，sincetheshootingseasoncommenced；andyoumightspendanhourortwowithmeinhisabsence。Dosayyouwill。IthinkIshouldnotbepeevishwithyou:you\'dnotprovokeme，andyou\'dalwaysbereadytohelpme，wouldn\'tyou？\'
`Yes，\'saidCatherine，strokinghislongsofthair；`ifIcouldonlygetpapa\'sconsent，I\'dspendhalfmytimewithyou。PrettyLinton!
Iwishyouweremybrother。\'