English
CATHYstayedatThrushcrossGrangefiveweeks:tillChristmas.
Bythattimeheranklewasthoroughlycured,andhermannersmuchimproved.
Themistressvisitedheroftenintheinterval,andcommencedherplanofreformbytryingtoraiseherself-respectwithfineclothesandflattery,whichshetookreadily;sothat,insteadofawild,hatlesslittlesavagejumpingintothehouse,andrushingtosqueezeusallbreathless,there‘lightedfromahandsomeblackponyaverydignifiedperson,withbrownringletsfallingfromthecoverofafeatheredbeaver,andalongclothhabit,whichshewasobligedtoholdupwithbothhandsthatshemightsailin.
Hindleyliftedherfromherhorse,exclaimingdelightedly,“Why,Cathy,youarequiteabeauty!
Ishouldscarcelyhaveknownyou:youlooklikealadynow.
IsabellaLintonisnottobecomparedwithher,isshe,Frances?”
“Isabellahasnothernaturaladvantages,”repliedhiswife:“butshemustmindandnotgrowwildagainhere.
Ellen,helpMissCatherineoffwithherthings—stay,dear,youwilldisarrangeyourcurls—letmeuntieyourhat.”
Iremovedthehabit,andthereshoneforthbeneath,agrandplaidsilkfrock,whitetrousers,andburnishedshoes;and,whilehereyessparkledjoyfullywhenthedogscameboundinguptowelcomeher,shedarehardlytouchthemlesttheyshouldfawnuponhersplendidgarments.
Shekissedmegently:IwasallflourmakingtheChristmascake,anditwouldnothavedonetogivemeahug;and,then,shelookedroundforHeathcliff.
Mr.andMrs.Earnshawwatchedanxiouslytheirmeeting;thinkingitwouldenablethemtojudge,insomemeasure,whatgroundstheyhadforhopingtosucceedinseparatingthetwofriends.
Heathcliffwashardtodiscover,atfirst.
Ifhewerecareless,anduncaredfor,beforeCatherine’sabsence,hehadbeententimesmoreso,since.
NobodybutIevendidhimthekindnesstocallhimadirtyboy,andbidhimwashhimself,onceaweek;andchildrenofhisageseldomhaveanaturalpleasureinsoapandwater.
Therefore,nottomentionhisclothes,whichhadseenthreemonths’serviceinmireanddust,andhisthickuncombedhair,thesurfaceofhisfaceandhandswasdismallybeclouded.
Hemightwellskulkbehindthesettle,onbeholdingsuchabright,gracefuldamselenterthehouse,insteadofarough-headedcounterpartofhimself,asheexpected.“IsHeathcliffnothere?”
shedemanded,pullingoffhergloves,anddisplayingfingerswonderfullywhitenedwithdoingnothingandstayingindoors.
“Heathcliff,youmaycomeforward,”criedMr.Hindley,enjoyinghisdiscomfiture,andgratifiedtoseewhataforbiddingyoungblack-guardhewouldbecompelledtopresenthimself“YoumaycomeandwishMissCatherinewelcome,liketheotherservants.”
Cathy,catchingaglimpseofherfriendinhisconcealment,flewtoembracehim;shebestowedsevenoreightkissesonhischeekwithinthesecond,andthenstopped,anddrawingback,burstintoalaugh,exclaiming,“Why,howveryblackandcrossyoulook!andhow—howfunnyandgrim!
Butthat’sbecauseI’musedtoEdgarandIsabellaLinton.
Well,Heathcliff,haveyouforgottenme?”
Shehadsomereasontoputthequestion,forshameandpridethrewdoublegloomoverhiscountenance,andkepthimimmovable.
“Shakehands,Heathcliff,”saidMr.Earnshaw,condescendingly;“onceinaway,thatispermitted.”
“Ishallnot,”repliedtheboy,findinghistongueatlast;“Ishallnotstandtobelaughedat.Ishallnotbearit!”
Andhewouldhavebrokenfromthecircle,butMissCathyseizedhimagain.
“Ididnotmeantolaughatyou,”shesaid;“Icouldnothindermyself:Heathcliff,shakehandsatleast!Whatareyousulkyfor?Itwasonlythatyoulookedodd.
Ifyouwashyourfaceandbrushyourhair,itwillbeallright;butyouaresodirty!”
Shegazedconcernedlyattheduskyfingerssheheldinherown,andalsoatherdress;whichshefearedhadgainednoembellishmentfromitscontactwithhis.
“Youneedn’thavetouchedme!”heanswered,followinghereyeandsnatchingawayhishand.
“IshallbeasdirtyasIplease:andIliketobedirty,andIwillbedirty.”
Withthathedashedheadforemostoutoftheroom,amidthemerrimentofthemasterandmistress,andtotheseriousdisturbanceofCatherine;whocouldnotcomprehendhowherremarksshouldhaveproducedsuchanexhibitionofbadtemper.
Afterplayinglady’s-maidtothenewcomer,andputtingmycakesintheoven,andmakingthehouseandkitchencheerfulwithgreatfires,befittingChristmaseve,Ipreparedtositdownandamusemyselfbysingingcarols,allalone;regardlessofJoseph’saffirmationsthatheconsideredthemerrytunesIchoseasnextdoortosongs.
Hehadretiredtoprivateprayerinhischamber,andMr.andMrs.EarnshawwereengagingMissy’sattentionbysundrygaytriflesboughtforhertopresenttothelittleLintons,asanacknowledgmentoftheirkindness.
TheyhadinvitedthemtospendthemorrowatWutheringHeights,andtheinvitationhadbeenaccepted,ononecondition:Mrs.Lintonbeggedthatherdarlingsmightbekeptcarefullyapartfromthat“naughtyswearingboy.”
UnderthesecircumstancesIremainedsolitary.
Ismelttherichscentoftheheatingspices;andadmiredtheshiningkitchenutensils,thepolishedclock,deckedinholly,thesilvermugsrangedonatrayreadytobefilledwithmulledaleforsupper;andaboveall,thespecklesspurityofmyparticularcare—thescouredandwell-sweptfloor.
Igavedueinwardapplausetoeveryobject,andthenIrememberedhowoldEarnshawusedtocomeinwhenallwastidied,andcallmeacantlass,andslipashillingintomyhandasaChristmas-box;andfromthatIwentontothinkofhisfondnessforHeathcliff,andhisdreadlestheshouldsufferneglectafterdeathhadremovedhim;andthatnaturallyledmetoconsiderthepoorlad’ssituationnow,andfromsingingIchangedmymindtocrying.
Itstruckmesoon,however,therewouldbemoresenseinendeavouringtorepairsomeofhiswrongsthansheddingtearsoverthem:Igotupandwalkedintothecourttoseekhim.
Hewasnotfar;Ifoundhimsmoothingtheglossycoatofthenewponyinthestable,andfeedingtheotherbeasts,accordingtocustom.
“Makehaste,Heathcliff!”Isaid,“thekitchenissocomfortable;andJosephisupstairs:makehaste,andletmedressyousmartbeforeMissCathycomesout,andthenyoucansittogether,withthewholehearthtoyourselves,andhavealongchattertillbedtime.”
Heproceededwithhistaskandneverturnedhisheadtowardsme.
“Come—areyoucoming?”Icontinued.“There’salittlecakeforeachofyou,nearlyenough;andyou’llneedhalfanhour’sdonning.”
Iwaitedfiveminutes,butgettingnoanswer,lefthim.
Catherinesuppedwithherbrotherandsister-in-law:JosephandIjoinedinanunsociablemeal,seasonedwithreproofsononesideandsaucinessontheother.
Hiscakeandcheeseremainedonthetableallnightforthefairies.
Hemanagedtocontinueworktillnineo’clock,andthenmarcheddumbanddourtohischamber.
Cathysatuplate,havingaworldofthingstoorderforthereceptionofhernewfriends:shecameintothekitchenoncetospeaktoheroldone;buthewasgone,andsheonlystayedtoaskwhatwasthematterwithhim,andthenwentback.
Inthemorningheroseearly;andasitwasaholidaycarriedhisill-humourontothemoors;notreappearingtillthefamilyweredepartedforchurch.
Fastingandreflectionseemedtohavebroughthimtoabetterspirit.
Hehungaboutmeforawhile,andhavingscreweduphiscourage,exclaimedabruptly:
“Nelly,makemedecent,I’mgoingtobegood.”
“Hightime,Heathcliff,”Isaid:“youhavegrievedCatherine:she’ssorrysheevercamehome,Idaresay!Itlooksasifyouenviedher,becausesheismorethoughtofthanyou.”
ThenotionofenvyingCatherinewasincomprehensibletohim,butthenotionofgrievingherheunderstoodclearlyenough.
“Didshesayshewasgrieved?”heenquired,lookingveryserious.
“ShecriedwhenItoldheryouwereoffagainthismorning.”
“Well,Icriedlastnight,”hereturned,“andIhadmorereasontocrythanshe.”
“Yes:youhadthereasonofgoingtobedwithaproudheartandanemptystomach,”saidI.“Proudpeoplebreedsadsorrowsforthemselves.
But,ifyoubeashamedofyourtouchiness,youmustaskpardon,mind,whenshecomesin.
Youmustgoupandoffertokissher,andsay—youknowbestwhattosay;onlydoitheartily,andnotasifyouthoughtherconvertedintoastrangerbyhergranddress.
Andnow,thoughIhavedinnertogetready,I’llstealtimetoarrangeyousothatEdgarLintonshalllookquiteadollbesideyou:andthathedoes.
Youareyounger,andyet,I’llbebound,youaretallerandtwiceasbroadacrosstheshoulders:youcouldknockhimdowninatwinkling?don’tyoufeelthatyoucould?”
Heathcliff’sfacebrightenedamoment;thenitwasovercastafresh,andhesighed.
“But,Nelly,ifIknockedhimdowntwentytimes,thatwouldn’tmakehimlesshandsomeormemoreso.
IwishIhadlighthairandafairskin,andwasdressedandbehavedaswell,andhadachanceofbeingasrichashewillbe!”
“Andcriedformammaateveryturn,”Iadded,“andtrembledifacountryladheavedhisfistagainstyou,andsatathomealldayforashowerofrain.
Oh,Heathcliff,youareshowingapoorspirit!
Cometotheglass,andI’llletyouseewhatyoushouldwish.
Doyoumarkthosetwolinesbetweenyoureyes;andthosethickbrows,thatinsteadofrisingarched,sinkinthemiddle;andthatcoupleofblackfriends,sodeeplyburied,whoneveropentheirwindowsboldly,butlurkglintingunderthem,likedevil’sspies?
Wishandlearntosmoothawaythesurlywrinkles,toraiseyourlidsfrankly,andchangethefiendstoconfident,innocentangels,suspectinganddoubtingnothing,andalwaysseeingfriendswheretheyarenotsureoffoes.
Don’tgettheexpressionofaviciouscurthatappearstoknowthekicksitgetsareitsdesert,andyethatesalltheworldaswellasthekicker,forwhatitsuffers.”
“Inotherwords,ImustwishforEdgarLinton’sgreatblueeyesandevenforehead,”hereplied.“Ido—andthatwon’thelpmetothem.”
“Agoodheartwillhelpyoutoabonnyface,mylad,”Icontinued,“ifyouwerearegularblack;andabadonewillturnthebonniestintosomethingworsethanugly.
Andnowthatwe’vedonewashing,andcombing,andsulking—tellmewhetheryoudon’tthinkyourselfratherhandsome?I’lltellyou,Ido.You’refitforaprinceindisguise.
WhoknowsbutyourfatherwasEmperorofChina,andyourmotheranIndianqueen,eachofthemabletobuyup,withoneweek’sincome,WutheringHeightsandThrushcrossGrangetogether?
AndyouwerekidnappedbywickedsailorsandbroughttoEngland.
WereIinyourplace,Iwouldframehighnotionsofmybirth;andthethoughtsofwhatIwasshouldgivemecourageanddignitytosupporttheoppressionsofalittlefarmer!”
SoIchattedon;andHeathcliffgraduallylosthisfrownandbegantolookquitepleasant,whenallatonceourconversationwasinterruptedbyarumblingsoundmovinguptheroadandenteringthecourt.
HerantothewindowandItothedoor,justintimetobeholdthetwoLintonsdescendfromthefamilycarriage,smotheredincloaksandfurs,andtheEarnshawsdismountfromtheirhorses:theyoftenrodetochurchinwinter.
Catherinetookahandofeachofthechildren,andbroughtthemintothehouseandsetthembeforethefire,whichquicklyputcolourintotheirwhitefaces.
Iurgedmycompaniontohastennowandshowhisamiablehumour,andhewillinglyobeyed;butillluckwouldhaveitthat,asheopenedthedoorleadingfromthekitchenononeside,Hindleyopeneditontheother.
Theymet,andthemaster,irritatedatseeinghimcleanandcheerful;or,perhaps,eagertokeephispromisetoMrs.Linton,shovedhimbackwithasuddenthrust,andangrilybadeJoseph“keepthefellowoutoftheroom—sendhimintothegarrettilldinnerisover.
He’llbecramminghisfingersinthetartsandstealingthefruit,ifleftalonewiththemaminute.”
“Nay,sir,”Icouldnotavoidanswering,“he’lltouchnothing,nothe:andIsupposehemusthavehisshareofthedaintiesaswellaswe.”
“Heshallhavehisshareofmyhand,ifIcatchhimdownstairstilldark,”criedHindley.“Begone,youvagabond!What!
youareattemptingthecoxcomb,areyou?
WaittillIgetholdofthoseelegantlocks—seeifIwon’tpullthemabitlonger.”
“Theyarelongenough,already,”observedMasterLinton,peepingfromthedoorway;“Iwondertheydon’tmakehisheadache.It’slikeacolt’smaneoverhiseyes!”
Heventuredthisremarkwithoutanyintentiontoinsult;butHeathcliff’sviolentnaturewasnotpreparedtoenduretheappearanceofimpertinencefromonewhomheseemedtohate,eventhen,asarival.
Heseizedatureenofhotapplesauce(thefirstthingthatcameunderhisgripe)anddasheditfullagainstthespeaker’sfaceandneck;whoinstantlycommencedalamentthatbroughtIsabellaandCatherinehurryingtotheplace.
Mr.Earnshawsnatcheduptheculpritdirectlyandconveyedhimtohischamber;where,doubtless,headministeredaroughremedytocoolthefitofpassion,forheappearedredandbreathless.
Igotthedishcloth,andratherspitefullyscrubbedEdgar’snoseandmouth,affirmingitservedhimrightformeddling.
Hissisterbeganweepingtogohome,andCathystoodbyconfounded,blushingforall.
“Youshouldnothavespokentohim!”sheexpostulatedwithMasterLinton.
“Hewasinabadtemper,andnowyou’vespoiltyourvisit;andhe’llbeflogged:Ihatehimtobeflogged!Ican’teatmydinner.Whydidyouspeaktohim,Edgar?”
“Ididn’t,”sobbedtheyouth,escapingfrommyhands,andfinishingtheremainderofthepurificationwithhiscambricpocket-handkerchief.
“IpromisedmammathatIwouldn’tsayonewordtohim,andIdidn’t.”
“Well,don’tcry,”repliedCatherine,contemptuously,“you’renotkilled.Don’tmakemoremischief;mybrotheriscoming:bequiet!Hush!Isabella!Hasanybodyhurtyou?”
“There,there,children—toyourseats!”criedHindley,bustlingin.“Thatbruteofaladhaswarmedmenicely.Nexttime,MasterEdgar,takethelawintoyourownfists—itwillgiveyouanappetite!”
Thelittlepartyrecovereditsequanimityatsightofthefragrantfeast.
Theywerehungryaftertheirride,andeasilyconsoled,sincenorealharmhadbefallenthem.
Mr.Earnshawcarvedbountifulplatefuls,andthemistressmadethemmerrywithlivelytalk.
Iwaitedbehindherchair,andwasfainedtobeholdCatherine,withdryeyesandanindifferentair,commencecuttingupthewingofagoosebeforeher.
“Anunfeelingchild,”Ithoughttomyself;“howlightlyshedismissesheroldplaymate’stroubles.
Icouldnothaveimaginedhertobesoselfish.”
Sheliftedamouthfultoherlips;thenshesetitdownagain:hercheeksflushed,andthetearsgushedoverthem.
Sheslippedherforktothefloor,andhastilydivedundertheclothtoconcealheremotion.
Ididnotcallherunfeelinglong;forIperceivedshewasinpurgatorythroughouttheday,andwearyingtofindanopportunityofgettingbyherself,orpayingavisittoHeathcliff,whohadbeenlockedupbythemaster:asIdiscovered,onendeavouringtointroducetohimaprivatemessofvictuals.
Intheeveningwehadadance.Cathybeggedthathemightbeliberatedthen,asIsabellaLintonhadnopartner;herentreatieswerevain,andIwasappointedtosupplythedeficiency.
Wegotridofallgloomintheexcitementoftheexercise,andourpleasurewasincreasedbythearrivaloftheGimertonband,musteringfifteenstrong:atrumpet,atrombone,clarionets,bassoons,Frenchhorns,andabassviol,besidessingers.
Theygotheroundsofalltherespectablehouses,andreceivecontributionseveryChristmas,andweesteemeditafirst-ratetreattohearthem.
Aftertheusualcarolshadbeensung,wesetthemtosongsandglees.
Mrs.Earnshawlovedthemusic,andsotheygaveusplenty.
Catherinelovedittoo;butshesaiditsoundedsweetestatthetopofthesteps,andshewentupinthedark;Ifollowed.
Theyshutthehousedoorbelow,nevernotingourabsence,itwassofullofpeople.
Shemadenostayatthestair’shead,butmountedfarther,tothegarretwhereHeathcliffwasconfined,andcalledhim.
Hestubbornlydeclinedansweringforawhile;shepersevered,andfinallypersuadedhimtoholdcommunionwithherthroughtheboards.
Iletthepoorthingsconverseunmolested,tillIsupposethesongsweregoingtocease,andthesingerstogetsomerefreshment;then,Iclambereduptheladdertowarnher.
Insteadoffindingheroutside,Iheardhervoicewithin.
Thelittlemonkeyhadcreptbytheskylightofonegarret,alongtheroof,intotheskylightoftheother,anditwaswiththeutmostdifficultyIcouldcoaxheroutagain.
WhenshedidcomeHeathcliffcamewithher,andsheinsistedthatIshouldtakehimintothekitchen,asmyfellow-servanthadgonetoaneighbour’stoberemovedfromthesoundofour“devil’spsalmody,”asitpleasedhimtocallit.
ItoldthemIintendedbynomeanstoencouragetheirtricks;butastheprisonerhadneverbrokenhisfastsinceyesterday’sdinner,IwouldwinkathischeatingMr.Hindleythatonce.
Hewentdown;Isethimastoolbythefire,andofferedhimaquantityofgoodthings;buthewassickandcouldeatlittle,andmyattemptstoentertainhimwerethrownaway.
Heleanthistwoelbowsonhisknees,andhischinonhishands,andremainedwraptindumbmeditation.
Onmyenquiringthesubjectofhisthoughts,heansweredgravely:
“I’mtryingtosettlehowIshallpayHindleyback.Idon’tcarehowlongIwait,ifIcanonlydoitatlast.IhopehewillnotdiebeforeIdo!”
“Forshame,Heathcliff!”saidI.“ItisforGodtopunishwickedpeople;weshouldlearntoforgive.”
“No,Godwon’thavethesatisfactionthatIshall,”hereturned.“IonlywishIknewthebestway!Letmealone,andI’llplanitout:whileI’mthinkingofthatIdon’tfeelpain.”
“ButMr.Lockwood,Iforgetthesetalescannotdivertyou.
I’mannoyedhowIshoulddreamofchatteringonatsucharate;andyourgruelcold,andyounoddingforbed!
IcouldhavetoldHeathcliff’shistory,allthatyouneedhear,inahalf-a-dozenwords.”
Thusinterruptingherself,thehousekeeperrose,andproceededtolayasidehersewing;butIfeltincapableofmovingfromthehearth,andIwasveryfarfromnodding.
“Sitstill,Mrs.Dean,”Icried,“dositstill,anotherhalf-hour!
You’vedonejustrighttotellthestoryleisurely.
ThatisthemethodIlike;andyoumustfinishitinthesamestyle.
Iaminterestedineverycharacteryouhavementioned,moreorless.”
“Theclockisonthestrokeofeleven,sir.”
“Nomatter—I’munaccustomedtogotobedinthelonghours.Oneortwoisearlyenoughforapersonwholiestillten.”
“Youshouldn’tlietillten.There’stheveryprimeofthemorninggonelongbeforethattime.
Apersonwhohasnotdoneonehalfhisday’sworkbyteno’clock,runsachanceofleavingtheotherhalfundone.”
“Nevertheless,Mrs.Dean,resumeyourchair;becauseto-morrowIintendlengtheningthenighttillafternoon.Iprognosticateformyselfanobstinatecold,atleast.”
“Ihopenot,sir.Well,youmustallowmetoleapoversomethreeyears;duringthatspaceMrs.Earnshaw-”
“No,no,I’llallownothingofthesort!
Areyouacquaintedwiththemoodofmindinwhich,ifyouwereseatedalone,andthecatlickingitskittenontherugbeforeyou,youwouldwatchtheoperationsointentlythatpuss’sneglectofoneearwouldputyouseriouslyoutoftemper?”
“Aterriblylazymood,Ishouldsay.”
“Onthecontrary,atiresomelyactiveone.
Itismine,atpresent;and,therefore,continueminutely.
Iperceivethatpeopleintheseregionsacquireoverpeopleintownsthevaluethatthespiderinadungeondoesoveraspiderinacottage,totheirvariousoccupants;andyetthedeepenedattractionisnotentirelyowingtothesituationofthelooker-on.
Theydolivemoreinearnest,moreinthemselves,andlessinsurface,change,andfrivolousexternalthings.
Icouldfancyaloveforlifeherealmostpossible;andIwasafixedunbelieverinanyloveofayear’sstanding.
Onestateresemblessettingahungrymandowntoasingledish,onwhichhemayconcentratehisentireappetiteanddoitjustice;theother,introducinghimtoatablelaidoutbyFrenchcooks:hecanperhapsextractasmuchenjoymentfromthewhole;buteachpartisamereatominhisregardandremembrance.”
“Oh!herewearethesameasanywhereelse,whenyougettoknowus,”observedMrs.Dean,somewhatpuzzledatmyspeech.
“Excuseme,”Iresponded;“you,mygoodfriend,areastrikingevidenceagainstthatassertion.
Exceptingafewprovincialismsofslightconsequence,youhavenomarksofthemannerswhichIamhabituatedtoconsideraspeculiartoyourclass.
Iamsureyouhavethoughtagreatdealmorethanthegeneralityofservantsthink.
Youhavebeencompelledtocultivateyourreflectivefacultiesforwantofoccasionsforfritteringyourlifeawayinsillytrifles.”Mrs.Deanlaughed.
“Icertainlyesteemmyselfasteady,reasonablekindofbody,”shesaid;“notexactlyfromlivingamongthehillsandseeingonesetoffaces,andoneseriesofactions,fromyear’sendtoyear’send;butIhaveundergonesharpdiscipline,whichhastaughtmewisdom;andthen,Ihavereadmorethanyouwouldfancy,Mr.Lockwood.
YoucouldnotopenabookinthislibrarythatIhavenotlookedinto,andgotsomethingoutofalso:unlessitbethatrangeofGreekandLatin,andthatofFrench;andthoseIknowonefromanother:itisasmuchasyoucanexpectofapoorman’sdaughter.
However,ifIamtofollowmystoryintruegossip’sfashion,Ihadbettergoon;andinsteadofleapingthreeyears,Iwillbecontenttopasstothenextsummer—thesummerof1778,thatis,nearlytwenty-threeyearsago.”
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