| 1 |
I HAVE paid a visit to the Heights, but I have not seen
her since she left; Joseph held the door in his hand, when I called
to ask after her, and wouldn't let me pass.
He said Mrs Linton was "thrang," and the master was not in.
Zillah has told me something of the way they go on, otherwise I
should hardly know who was dead, and who living.
| 2 |
She thinks Catherine, haughty, and does not like her, I can guess
by her talk.
My young lady asked some aid of her, when she first came, but Mr
Heathcliff told her to follow her own business, and let his
daughter-in-law look after herself, and Zillah willingly
acquiesced, being a narrow-minded selfish woman.
Catherine evinced a child's annoyance at this neglect; repaid it
with contempt, and thus enlisted my informant among her enemies, as
securely as if she had done her some great wrong.
| | 3 |
I had a long talk with Zillah, about six weeks ago, a little before
you came, one day, when we forgathered on the moor; and this is
what she told me.
| | 4 |
"The first thing Mrs Linton did," she said, "on her arrival at the
Heights, was to run upstairs without even wishing good-evening to
me and Joseph; she shut herself into Linton's room, and remained
till morning -- then, while the master and Earnshaw were at
breakfast, she entered the house and asked all in a quiver if the
doctor might be sent for? her cousin was very ill."
| | 5 |
"We know that!" answered Heathcliff, "but his life is not worth a
farthing, and I won't spend a farthing on him."
| | 6 |
"But I cannot tell how to do," she said; "and if nobody will help
me, he'll die!"
| | 7 |
"Walk out of the room!" cried the master, "and let me
None here care what becomes of him; if you do, act the nurse; if
you do not, lock him up and leave him."
| | 8 |
Then she began to bother me, and I said I'd had enough plague with
the tiresome thing; we each had our tasks, and hers was to wait on
Linton, Mr Heathcliff bid me leave that labour to her.
| | 9 |
How they managed together, I can't tell.
I fancy he fretted a great deal, and moaned hisseln, night and day;
and she had precious little rest, one could guess by her white
face, and heavy eyes -- she sometimes came into the kitchen all
wildered like, and looked as if she would fain beg assistance: but
I was not going to disobey the master -- I never dare disobey him,
Mrs Dean, and though I thought it wrong that Kenneth should not be
sent for, it was no concern of mine, either to advise or complain;
and I always refused to meddle.
| | 10 |
Once or twice, after we had gone to bed, I've happened to open my
door again, and seen her sitting crying, on the stairs' top; and
then I've shut myself in, quick, for fear of being moved to
interfere.
I did pity her then, I'm sure; still I didn't wish to lose my
place, you know!
| | 11 |
At last, one night she came boldly into my chamber, and frightened
me out of my wits, by saying
| | 12 |
"Tell Mr Heathcliff that his son is dying -- I'm sure he is, this
time.
-- Get up, instantly, and tell him!"
| | 13 |
Having uttered this speech, she vanished again.
I lay a quarter of an hour listening and trembling -- Nothing
stirred -- the house was quiet.
| | 14 |
"She's mistaken, "I said to myself."
He's got over it.
I needn't disturb them."
And I began to dose.
But my sleep was marred a second time, by a sharp ringing of the
bell -- the only bell we have, put up on purpose for Linton, and
and inform them that he wouldn't have that noise repeated.
| | 15 |
I delivered Catherine's message.
He cursed to himself, and in a few minutes, came out with a lighted
candle, and proceeded to their room.
I followed -- Mrs Heathcliff was seated by the bedside, with her
hands folded on her knees.
Her father-in-law went up, held the light to Linton's face, looked
at him, and touched him, afterwards he turned to her.
| | 16 |
" 'Now -- Catherine,' he said, 'how do you feel?'
| | 17 |
"She was dumb.
| | 18 |
" 'How do you feel, Catherine?' he repeated.
| | 19 |
" 'He's safe, and I'm free,' she answered, 'I should feel well --
but,' she continued with a bitterness she couldn't conceal, 'You
have left me so long to struggle against death, alone, that I feel
and see only death!
I feel like death!'
| | 20 |
"And she looked like it, too!
I gave her a little wine.
Hareton and Joseph, who had been wakened by the ringing, and the
sound of feet, and heard our talk from outside, now entered.
Joseph was fain, I believe, of the lad's removal: Hareton seemed a
thought bothered, though he was more taken up with staring at
Catherine than thinking of Linton.
But the master bid him get off to bed again -- we didn't want his
help.
He afterwards made Joseph remove the body to his chamber, and told
me to return to mine, and Mrs Heathcliff remained by herself.
| | 21 |
"In the morning, he sent me to tell her she must come down to
breakfast -- she had undressed, and appeared going to sleep; and
said she was ill; at which I hardly wondered.
I informed Mr Heathcliff, and he replied,
| | 22 |
" 'Well, let her be till after the funeral; and go up now and then
to get her what is needful; and as soon as she seems better, tell
| | 23 |
Cathy stayed up-stairs a fortnight, according to Zillah, who
visited her twice a-day, and would have been rather more friendly,
but her attempts at increasing kindness were proudly and promptly
repelled.
| | 24 |
Heathcliff went up once, to show her Linton's will.
He had bequeathed the whole of his, and what had been her moveable
property to his father.
The poor creature was threatened, or coaxed into that act, during
her week's absence, when his uncle died.
The lands, being a minor he could not meddle with.
However, Mr Heathcliff has claimed, and kept them in his wife's
right, and his also--I suppose legally, at any rate Catherine,
destitute of cash and friends, cannot disturb his possession.
| | 25 |
"Nobody," said Zillah, "ever approached her door, except that once,
but I... and nobody asked anything about her.
The first occasion of her coming down into the house, was on a
Sunday afternoon.
| | 26 |
"She had cried out, when I carried up her dinner that she couldn't
bear any longer being in the cold; and I told her the master was
going to Thrushcross Grange; and Earnshaw and I needn't hinder her
from descending; so, as soon as she heard Heathcliff's horse trot
off, she made her appearance, donned in black, and her yellow curls
combed back behind her ears, as plain as a quaker, she couldn't
comb them out.
| | 27 |
"Joseph, and I generally go to chapel on Sundays, (the Kirk, you
know, has no minister, now, explained Mrs Dean, and they call the
Methodists' or Baptists' place, I can't say which it is, at
Gimmerton, a chapel.)
"Joseph had gone," she continued, "but I thought proper to bide at
home.
Young folks are always the better for an elder's over-looking, and
Hareton with all his bashfulness, isn't a model of nice behaviour.
I let him know that his cousin would very likely sit with us, and
respected, so he had as good leave his guns, and bits of in-door
work alone, while she stayed.
| | 28 |
"He coloured up at the news; and cast his eyes over his hands and
clothes.
The train-oil, and gunpowder were shoved out of sight in a minute.
I saw he meant to give her his company; and I guessed, by his way,
he wanted to be presentable; so, laughing, as I durst not laugh
when the master is by, I offered to help him, if he would, and
joked at his confusion.
He grew sullen, and began to swear.
| | 29 |
"Now, Mrs Dean," she went on, seeing me not pleased by her manner,
"you happen think your young lady too fine for Mr Hareton, and
happen you're right -- but, I own, I should love well to bring her
pride a peg lower.
And what will all her learning and her daintiness do for her, now?
She's as poor as you, or I -- poorer -- I'll be bound, you're
saving -- and I'm doing my little all, that road."
| | 30 |
Hareton allowed Zillah to give him her aid; and she flattered him
into a good humour; so, when Catherine came, half forgetting her
former insults, he tried to make himself agreeable, by the house-
keeper's account.
| | 31 |
"Missis walked in," she said, "as chill as an icicle, and as high
as a princess.
I got up and offered her my seat in the arm-chair.
No, she turned up her nose at my civility.
Earnshaw rose too, and bid her come to the settle, and sit close by
the fire; he was sure she was starved.
| | 32 |
" 'I've been starved a month and more,' she answered, resting on
the word, as scornful as she could.
| | 33 |
"And she got a chair for herself, and placed it at a distance from
both of us.
| | 34 |
"Having sat till she was warm, she began to look round, and
discovered a number of books in the dresser; she was instantly upon
her feet again, stretching to reach them, but they were too high
up.
| | 35 |
"Her cousin, after watching her endeavours a while, at
he filled it with the first that came to hand.
| | 36 |
"That was a great advance for the lad -- she didn't thank him;
still, he felt gratified that she had accepted his assistance, and
ventured to stand behind as she examined them, and even to stoop
and point out what struck his fancy in certain old pictures which
they contained -- nor was he daunted by the saucy style in which
she jerked the page from his finger; he contented himself with
going a bit farther back, and looking at her, instead of the book.
| | 37 |
"She continued reading, or seeking for something to read.
His attention became, by degrees, quite centred in the study of her
thick, silky curls -- her face he couldn't see, and she couldn't
see him.
And, perhaps, not quite awake to what he did, but attracted like a
child to a candle, at last, he proceeded from staring to touching;
he put out his hand and stroked one curl, as gently as if it were a
bird.
He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she started round in
such a taking.
| | 38 |
" 'Get away, this moment!
How dare you touch me?
Why are you stopping there?' she cried, in a tone of disgust.
'I can't endure you!
I'll go up stairs again, if you come near me.'
| | 39 |
"Mr Hareton recoiled, looking as foolish as he could do; he sat
down in the settle, very quiet, and she continued turning over her
volumes, another half hour -- finally, Earnshaw crossed over, and
whispered to me.
| | 40 |
" 'Will you ask her to read to us, Zillah?
I'm stalled of doing naught -- and I do like -- I could like to
hear her! dunnot say I wanted it, but ask of yourseln.'
| | 41 |
" 'Mr Hareton wishes you would read to us, ma'am,' I said,
immediately.
'He'd take it very kind -- he'd be much obliged.'
| | 42 |
| | 43 |
" 'Mr Hareton, and the whole set of you will be good enough to
understand that I reject any pretence at kindness you have the
hypocrisy to offer!
I despise you, and will have nothing to say to any of you!
When I would have given my life for one kind word, even to see one
of your faces, you all kept off.
But I won't complain to you!
I'm driven down here by the cold, not either to amuse you, or enjoy
your society.'
| | 44 |
" 'What could I ha' done?' began Earnshaw.
'How was I to blame?'
| | 45 |
" 'Oh! you are an exception,' answered Mrs Heathcliff.
'I never missed such a concern as you.'
| | 46 |
" 'But, I offered more than once, and asked,' he said, kindling up
at her pertness, 'I asked Mr Heathcliff to let me wake for you -- -
- '
| | 47 |
" 'Be silent!
I'll go out of doors, or anywhere, rather than have your
disagreeable voice in my ear!' said my lady.
| | 48 |
"Hareton muttered, she might go to hell, for him! and unslinging
his gun, restrained himself from his Sunday occupations, no longer.
| | 49 |
"He talked now, freely enough; and she presently saw fit to retreat
to her solitude: but the frost had set in, and, in spite of her
pride, she was forced to condescend to our company, more and more.
However, I took care there should be no further scorning at my good
nature -- ever since, I've been as stiff as herself -- and she has
no lover, or liker among us -- and she does not deserve one -- for,
let them say the least word to her, and she'll curl back without
respect of any one!
She'll snap at the master himself; and, as good as dares him to
thrash her; and the more hurt she gets, the more venomous she
grows."
| | 50 |
At first, on hearing this account from Zillah, I determined to
leave my situation, take a cottage, and get Catherine to come and
that, as he would set up Hareton in an independent house; and I can
see no remedy, at present, unless she could marry again; and that
scheme, it does not come within my province to arrange.
| | 51 |
Thus ended Mrs Dean's story.
Notwithstanding the doctor's prophecy, I am rapidly recovering
strength, and, though it be only the second week in January, I
propose getting out on horseback, in a day or two, and riding over
to Wuthering Heights, to inform my landlord that I shall spend the
next six months in London; and, if he likes, he may look out for
another tenant to take the place, after October -- I would not pass
another winter here, for much.
| | 52 |
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