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。