第9章

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。