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。