`MissCathy，'Iinterrupted，`itwillbethreehoursinsteadofonethatweareout，presently。Wereallymustgoback。'
　　`No，thatmanisnotmyson，'answeredHeathcliff，pushingmeaside。`ButIhaveone，andyouhaveseenhimbeforetoo；and，thoughyournurseisinahurry，Ithinkbothyouandshewouldbethebetterforalittlerest。Willyoujustturnthisnabofheath，andwalkintomyhouse？
　　You'llgethomeearlierfortheease；andyoushallreceiveakindwelcome。
　　IwhisperedCatherinethatshemustn't，onanyaccount，accedetotheproposal:itwasentirelyoutofthequestion。
　　`Why？'sheasked，aloud。`I'mtiredofrunning，andthegroundisdewy:Ican'tsithere。Letusgo，Ellen。Besides，hesaysIhaveseenhisson。He'smistaken，Ithink；butIguesswherehelives:atthefarmhouseIvisitedincomingfromPenistoneCrags。Don'tyou？'
　　`Ido。Come，Nelly，holdyourtongue——itwillbeatreatforhertolookinonus。Hareton，getforwardswiththelass。Youshallwalkwithme，Nelly。'
　　`No，she'snotgoingtoanysuchplace，'Icried，strugglingtoreleasemyarm，whichhehadseized:butshewasalmostatthedoorstonesalready，scamperingroundthebrowatfullspeed。Herappointedcompaniondidnotpretendtoescorther:heshiedoffbytheroadside，andvanished。
　　`MrHeathcliff，it'sverywrong，'Icontinued:`youknowyoumeannogood。Andthereshe'llseeLinton，andallwillbetoldassoonaseverwereturn；andIshallhavetheblame。
　　`IwanthertoseeLinton，'heanswered；`he'slookingbetterthesefewdays:it'snotoftenhe'sfittobeseen。Andwe'llsoonpersuadehertokeepthevisitsecret:whereistheharmofit？'
　　`Theharmofitis，thatherfatherwouldhatemeifhefoundIsufferedhertoenteryourhouse；andIamconvincedyouhaveabaddesigninencouraginghertodoso，'Ireplied。
　　`Mydesignisashonestaspossible。I'llinformyouofitswholescope，'hesaid。`Thatthetwocousinsmayfallinlove，andgetmarried。
　　I'mactinggenerouslytoyourmaster:hisyoungchithasnoexpectations，andshouldshesecondmywishes，she'llbeprovidedforatonceasjointsuccessorwithLinton。'
　　`IfLintondied，'Ianswered，`andhislifeisquiteuncertain，Catherinewouldbetheheir。'
　　`No，shewouldnot，'hesaid。`Thereisnoclauseinthewilltosecureitso:hispropertywouldgotome；but，topreventdisputes，Idesiretheirunion，andamresolvedtobringitabout。'
　　`AndI'mresolvedsheshallneverapproachyourhousewithmeagain，'Ireturned，aswereachedthegate，whereMissCathywaitedourcoming。
　　Heathcliffbidmebequiet；and，precedingusupthepath，hastenedtoopenthedoor。Myyoungladygavehimseverallooks，asifshecouldnotexactlymakeuphermindwhattothinkofhim；butnowhesmiledwhenhemethereye，andsoftenedhisvoiceinaddressingher；andIwasfoolishenoughtoimaginethememoryofhermothermightdisarmhimfromdesiringherinjury。Lintonstoodonthehearth。Hehadbeenoutwalkinginthefields，forhiscapwason，andhewascallingtoJosephtobringhimdryshoes。Hehadgrowntallofhisage，stillwantingsomemonthsofsixteen。
　　Hisfeatureswereprettyyet，andhiseyeandcomplexionbrighterthanIrememberedthem，thoughwithmerelytemporarylustreborrowedfromthesalubriousairandgenialsun。
　　`Now，whoisthat？'askedMrHeathcliff，turningtoCathy。`Canyoutell？'
　　`Yourson？'shesaid，havingdoubtfullysurveyed，firstoneandthentheother。
　　`Yes，yes，'answeredhe:`butisthistheonlytimeyouhavebeheldhim？Think!Ah!youhaveashortmemory。Linton，don'tyourecallyourcousin，thatyouusedtoteaseussowithwishingtosee？'
　　`What，Linton!'criedCathy，kindlingintojoyfulsurpriseatthename。`IsthatlittleLinton？He'stallerthanIam!Areyou，Linton？'
　　Theyouthsteppedforward，andacknowledgedhimself:shekissedhimfervently，andtheygazedwithwonderatthechangetimehadwroughtintheappearanceofeach。Catherinehadreachedherfullheight；herfigurewasbothplumpandslender，elasticassteel，andherwholeaspectsparklingwithhealthandspirits。Linton'slooksandmovementswereverylanguid，andhisformextremelyslight；buttherewasagraceinhismannerthatmitigatedthesedefects，andrenderedhimnotunpleasing。Afterexchangingnumerousmarksoffondnesswithhim，hiscousinwenttoMrHeathcliff，wholingeredbythedoor，dividinghisattentionbetweentheobjectsinsideandthosethatlaywithout:pretending，thatis，toobservethelatter，andreallynotingtheformeralone。
　　`Andyouaremyuncle，then!'shecried，reachinguptosalutehim。`IthoughtIlikedyou，thoughyouwerecrossatfirst。Whydon'tyouvisitattheGrangewithLinton？Tolivealltheseyearssuchcloseneighbours，andneverseeus，isodd:whathaveyoudonesofor？'
　　`Ivisiteditonceortwicetoooftenbeforeyouwereborn，'heanswered。`There——damnit!Ifyouhaveanykissestospare，givethemtoLinton:theyarethrownawayonme。
　　`NaughtyEllen!'exclaimedCatherine，flyingtoattackmenextwithherlavishcaresses。`WickedEllen!totrytohindermefromentering。
　　ButI'lltakethiswalkeverymorninginfuture:mayI，uncle？andsometimesbringpapa。Won'tyoubegladtoseeus？'
　　`Ofcourse!'repliedtheuncle，withahardlysuppressedgrimace，resultingfromhisdeepaversiontoboththeproposedvisitors。`Butstay，'
　　hecontinued，turningtowardstheyounglady。`NowIthinkofit，I'dbettertellyou。MrLintonhasaprejudiceagainstme:wequarrelledatonetimeofourlives，withunchristianferocity；and，ifyoumentioncomingheretohim，he'llputavetoonyourvisitsaltogether。Therefore，youmustnotmentionit，unlessyoubecarelessofseeingyourcousinhereafter:
　　youmaycome，ifyouwill，butyoumustnotmentionit。'
　　`Whydidyouquarrel？'askedCatherine，considerablycrest-fallen。
　　`Hethoughtmetoopoortowedhissister，'answeredHeathcliff，`andwasgrievedthatIgother:hispridewashurt，andhe'llneverforgiveit。'
　　`That'swrong!'saidtheyounglady:`sometime，I'lltellhimso。ButLintonandIhavenoshareinyourquarrel。I'llnotcomehere，then；heshallcometotheGrange。'
　　`Itwillbetoofarforme，'murmuredhercousin:`towalkfourmileswouldkillme。No，comehere，MissCatherine，nowandthen:noteverymorning，butonceortwiceaweek。'
　　Thefatherlaunchedtowardshissonaglanceofbittercontempt。
　　`Iamafraid，Nelly，Ishalllosemylabour，'hemutteredtome。
　　`MissCatherine，astheninnycallsher，willdiscoverhisvalue，andsendhimtothedevil。Now，ifithadbeenHareton!——Doyouknowthat，twentytimesaday，IcovetHareton，withallhisdegradation？I'dhavelovedtheladhadhebeensomeoneelse。ButIthinkhe'ssafefromherlove。I'llpithimagainstthatpaltrycreature，unlessitbestiritselfbriskly。Wecalculateitwillscarcelylasttillitiseighteen。Oh，confoundthevapidthing!He'sabsorbedindryinghisfeet，andneverlooksather——Linton!'
　　`Yes，father，'answeredtheboy。
　　`Haveyounothingtoshowyourcousinanywhereabout？notevenarabbitoraweasel'snest？Takeherintothegarden，beforeyouchangeyourshoes；andintothestabletoseeyourhorse。
　　`Wouldn'tyourathersithere？'askedLinton，addressingCathyinatonewhichexpressedreluctancetomoveagain。
　　`Idon'tknow，'shereplied，castingalonginglooktothedoor，andevidentlyeagertobeactive。
　　Hekepthisseat，andshrankclosertothefire。Heathcliffrose，andwentintothekitchen，andfromthencetotheyard，callingoutforHareton。Haretonresponded，andpresentlythetworeentered。Theyoungmanhadbeenwashinghimself，aswasvisiblebytheglowonhischeeksandhiswettedhair。
　　`Oh，I'llaskyou，uncle，'criedMissCathy，recollectingthehousekeeper'sassertion。`Thatisnotmycousin，ishe？'
　　`Yes，'hereplied，`yourmother'snephew。Don'tyoulikehim？'
　　Catherinelookedqueer。`Ishenotahandsomelad？'hecontinued。Theuncivillittlethingstoodontiptoe，andwhisperedasentenceinHeathcliff'sear。Helaughed；Haretondarkened:Iperceivedhewasverysensitivetosuspectedslights，andhadobviouslyadimnotionofhisinferiority。Buthismasterorguardianchasedthefrownbyexclaiming:
　　`You'llbethefavouriteamongus，Hareton!Shesaysyouarea——Whatwasit？Well，somethingveryflattering。Here!yougowithherroundthefarm。Andbehavelikeagentleman，mind!Don'tuseanybadwords；anddon'tstarewhentheyoungladyisnotlookingatyou，andbereadytohideyourfacewhensheis；and，whenyouspeak，sayyourwordsslowly，andkeepyourhandsoutofyourpockets。Beoff，andentertainherasnicelyasyoucan。
　　Hewatchedthecouplewalkingpastthewindow。Earnshawhadhiscountenancecompletelyavertedfromhiscompanion。Heseemedstudyingthefamiliarlandscapewithastranger'sandanartist'sinterest。Catherinetookaslylookathim，expressingsmalladmiration。Shethenturnedherattentiontoseekingoutobjectsofamusementforherself，andtrippedmerrilyon，liltingatunetosupplythelackofconversation。
　　`I'vetiedhistongue，'observedHeathcliff。`He'llnotventureasinglesyllable，allthetime!Nelly，yourecollectmeathisage——nay，someyearsyounger。DidIeverlooksostupid:so``gaumless''，asJosephcallsit？'
　　`Worse，'Ireplied，`becausemoresullenwithit。'
　　`I'veapleasureinhim，'hecontinued，reflectingaloud。`Hehassatisfiedmyexpectations。IfhewereabornfoolIshouldnotenjoyithalfsomuch。Buthe'snofool；andIcansympathizewithallhisfeelings，havingfeltthemmyself。Iknowwhathesuffersnow，forinstance，exactly:
　　itismerelyabeginningofwhatheshallsuffer，though。Andhe'llneverbeabletoemergefromhisbathosofcoarsenessandignorance。I'vegothimfasterthanhisscoundrelofafathersecuredme，andlower；forhetakesaprideinhisbrutishness。I'vetaughthimtoscorneverythingextra-animalassillyandweak。Don'tyouthinkHindleywouldbeproudofhisson，ifhecouldseehim？almostasproudasIamofmine。Butthere'sthisdifference；
　　oneisgoldputtotheuseofpaving-stones，andtheotheristinpolishedtoapeaserviceofsilver。Minehasnothingvaluableaboutit；
　　yetIshallhavethemeritofmakingitgoasfarassuchpoorstuffcango。Hishadfirst-ratequalities，andtheyarelost:renderedworsethanunavailing。Ihavenothingtoregret；hewouldhavemorethananybutIareawareof。Andthebestofitis，Haretonisdamnablyfondofme!You'llownthatI'veoutmatchedHindleythere。Ifthedeadvillaincouldrisefromhisgravetoabusemeforhisoffspring'swrongs，Ishouldhavethefunofseeingthesaidoffspringfighthimbackagain，indignantthatheshoulddaretorailattheonefriendhehasintheworld!'
　　Heathcliffchuckledafiendishlaughattheidea。Imadenoreply，becauseIsawthatheexpectednone。Meantime，ouryoungcompanion，whosattooremovedfromustohearwhatwassaid，begantoevincesymptomsofuneasiness，probablyrepentingthathehaddeniedhimselfthetreatofCatherine'ssocietyforfearofalittlefatigue。Hisfatherremarkedtherestlessglanceswanderingtothewindow，andthehandirresolutelyextendedtowardshiscap。
　　`Getup，youidleboy!'heexclaimed，withassumedheartiness。
　　`Awayafterthem!theyarejustatthecorner，bythestandofhives。'
　　Lintongatheredhisenergies，andleftthehearth。Thelatticewasopen，and，ashesteppedout，IheardCathyinquiringofherunsociableattendant，whatwasthatinscriptionoverthedoor？Haretonstaredup，andscratchedhisheadlikeatrueclown。
　　`It'ssomedamnablewriting，'heanswered。`Icannotreadit。'
　　`Can'treadit？'criedCatherine；`Icanreadit:it'sEnglish。
　　ButIwanttoknowwhyitisthere。'
　　Lintongiggled:thefirstappearanceofmirthhehadexhibited。
　　`Hedoesnotknowhisletters，'hesaidtohiscousin。`Couldyoubelieveintheexistenceofsuchacolossaldunce？'
　　`Isheallasheshouldbe？'askedMissCathyseriously；`orishesimple:notright？I'vequestionedhimtwicenow，andeachtimehelookedsostupidIthinkhedoesnotunderstandme。Icanhardlyunderstandhim，I'msure!'
　　Lintonrepeatedhislaugh，andglancedatHaretontauntingly；
　　whocertainlydidnotseemquiteclearofcomprehensionatthatmoment。
　　`There'snothingthematterbutlaziness；isthere，Earnshaw？'
　　hesaid。`Mycousinfanciesyouareanidiot。Thereyouexperiencetheconsequenceofscorning``book-larning''，asyouwouldsay。Haveyounoticed，Catherine，hisfrightfulYorkshirepronunciation？'
　　`Why，wherethedevilistheuseon't？'growledHareton，morereadyinansweringhisdailycompanion。Hewasabouttoenlargefurther，butthetwoyoungstersbrokeintoanoisyfitofmerriment；mygiddymissbeingdelightedtodiscoverthatshemightturnhisstrangetalktomatterofamusement。
　　`Whereistheuseofthedevilinthatsentence？'titteredLinton。
　　`Papatoldyounottosayanybadwords，andyoucan'topenyourmouthwithoutone。Dotrytobehavelikeagentleman，nowdo!'
　　`Ifthouweren'tmorealassthanalad，I'dfelltheethisminute，Iwould；pitifullathofacrater!'retortedtheangryboor，retreating，whilehisfaceburntwithmingledrageandmortification；forhewasconsciousofbeinginsulted，andembarrassedhowtoresentit。
　　MrHeathcliffhavingoverheardtheconversation，aswellasI，smiledwhenhesawhimgo；butimmediatelyafterwardscastalookofsingularaversionontheflippantpair，whoremainedchatteringinthedoorway:
　　theboyfindinganimationenoughwhilediscussingHareton'sfaultsanddeficiencies，andrelatinganecdotesofhisgoings-on；andthegirlrelishinghispertandspitefulsayings，withoutconsideringtheillnaturetheyevinced:butIbegantodislike，morethantocompassionateLinton，andtoexcusehisfather，insomemeasure，forholdinghimcheap。
　　Westayedtillafternoon:IcouldnottearMissCathyaway，before；
　　buthappilymymasterhadnotquittedhisapartment，andremainedignorantofourprolongedabsence。Aswewalkedhome，Iwouldfainhaveenlightenedmychargeonthecharactersofthepeoplewehadquitted；butshegotitintoherheadthatIwasprejudicedagainstthem。
　　`Aha!'shecried，`youtakepapa'sside，Ellen:youarepartial，Iknow；orelseyouwouldn'thavecheatedmesomanyyearsintothenotionthatLintonlivedalongwayfromhere。I'mreallyextremelyangry；onlyI'msopleasedIcan'tshowit!Butyoumustholdyourtongueaboutmyuncle:he'smyuncle，remember；andI'llscoldpapaforquarrellingwithhim。
　　Andsosheranon，tillIdroppedendeavouringtoconvinceherofhermistake。Shedidnotmentionthevisitthatnight，becauseshedidnotseeMrLinton。Nextdayitallcameout，sadlytomychagrin；andstillIwasnotaltogethersorry:Ithoughttheburdenofdirectingandwarningwouldbemoreefficientlybornebyhimthanme。ButhewastootimidingivingsatisfactoryreasonsforhiswishthatsheshouldshunconnectionwiththehouseholdoftheHeights，andCatherinelikedgoodreasonsforeveryrestraintthatharassedherpettedwill。
　　`Papa!'sheexclaimed，afterthemorning'ssalutations，`guesswhomIsawyesterday，inmywalkonthemoors。Ah，papa，youstarted!you'venotdoneright，haveyou，now？Isaw——Butlisten，andyoushallhearhowIfoundyouout；andEllen，whoisinleaguewithyou，andyetpretendedtopitymeso，whenIkepthoping，andwasalwaysdisappointedaboutLinton'scomingback!'
　　Shegaveafaithfulaccountofherexcursionanditsconsequences；
　　andmymaster，thoughhecastmorethanonereproachfullookatme，saidnothingtillshehadconcluded。Thenhedrewhertohim，andaskedifsheknewwhyhehadconcealedLinton'snearneighbourhoodfromher。Couldshethinkitwastodenyherapleasurethatshemightharmlesslyenjoy？
　　`ItwasbecauseyoudislikedMrHeathcliff，'sheanswered。
　　`ThenyoubelieveIcaremoreformyownfeelingsthanyours，Cathy？'hesaid。`No，itwasnotbecauseIdislikedMrHeathcliff，butbecauseMrHeathcliffdislikesme；andisamostdiabolicalman，delightingtowrongandruinthosehehates，iftheygivehimtheslightestopportunity。
　　Iknewthatyoucouldnotkeepupanacquaintancewithyourcousin，withoutbeingbroughtintocontactwithhim；andIknewhewoulddetestyouonmyaccount；soforyourowngood，andnothingelse，ItookprecautionsthatyoushouldnotseeLintonagain。Imeanttoexplainthissometimeasyougrewolder，andI'msorryIdelayedit。'
　　`ButMrHeathcliffwasquitecordial，papa，'observedCatherine，notatallconvinced；`andhedidn'tobjecttoourseeingeachother:
　　hesaidImightcometohishousewhenIpleased；onlyImustnottellyou，becauseyouhadquarrelledwithhim，andwouldnotforgivehimformarryingauntIsabella。Andyouwon't。Youaretheonetobeblamed:
　　heiswillingtoletusbefriends，atleast；LintonandI；andyouarenot。
　　Mymaster，perceivingthatshewouldnottakehiswordforheruncle-in-law'sevildisposition，gaveahastysketchofhisconducttoIsabella，andthemannerinwhichWutheringHeightsbecamehisproperty。
　　Hecouldnotbeartodiscourselonguponthetopic；forthoughhespokelittleofit，hestillfeltthesamehorroranddetestationofhisancientenemythathadoccupiedhishearteversinceMrsLinton'sdeath。`Shemighthavebeenlivingyet，ifithadnotbeenforhim!'washisconstantbitterreflection；and，inhiseyes，Heathcliffseemedamurderer。MissCathy——conversantwithnobaddeedsexceptherownslightactsofdisobedience，injustice，andpassion，risingfromhottemperandthoughtlessness，andrepentedofonthedaytheywerecommitted——wasamazedattheblacknessofspiritthatcouldbroodonandcoverrevengeforyears，anddeliberatelyprosecuteitsplanswithoutavisitationofremorse。Sheappearedsodeeplyimpressedandshockedatthisnewviewofhumannature——excludedfromallherstudiesandallherideastillnow——thatMrEdgardeemeditunnecessarytopursuethesubject。Hemerelyadded:
　　`Youwillknowhereafter，darling，whyIwishyoutoavoidhishouseandfamily；nowreturntoyouroldemploymentsandamusements，andthinknomoreaboutthem。'
　　Catherinekissedherfatherandsatdownquietlytoherlessonsforacoupleofhours，accordingtocustom；thensheaccompaniedhimintothegrounds，andthewholedaypassedasusual:butintheevening，whenshehadretiredtoherroom，andIwenttohelphertoundress，Ifoundhercrying，onherkneesbythebedside。
　　`Oh，fie，sillychild!'Iexclaimed。`Ifyouhadanyrealgriefs，you'dbeashamedtowasteatearonthislittlecontrariety。Youneverhadoneshadowofsubstantialsorrow，MissCatherine。Suppose，foraminute，thatmasterandIweredead，andyouwerebyyourselfintheworld:howwouldyoufeelthen？Comparethepresentoccasionwithsuchanafflictionasthat，andbethankfulforthefriendsyouhave，insteadofcovetingmore。'
　　`I'mnotcryingformyself，Ellen，'sheanswered，`it'sforhim。
　　Heexpectedtoseemeagaintomorrow，andtherehe'llbesodisappointed:
　　andhe'llwaitforme，andIshan'tcome!'
　　`Nonsense，'saidI，`doyouimaginehehasthoughtasmuchofyouasyouhaveofhim？Hasn'theHaretonforacompanion？Notoneinahundredwouldweepatlosingarelationtheyhadjustseentwice，fortwoafternoons。Lintonwillconjecturehowitis，andtroublehimselfnofurtheraboutyou。'
　　`ButmayInotwriteanotetotellhimwhyIcannotcome？'sheasked，risingtoherfeet。`AndjustsendthosebooksIpromisedtolendhim？Hisbooksarenotasniceasmine，andhewantedtohavethemextremely，whenItoldhimhowinterestingtheywere。MayInot，Ellen？'
　　`No，indeed!no，indeed!'repliedI，withdecision。`Thenhewouldwritetoyou，andthere'dneverbeanendofit。No，MissCatherine，theacquaintancemustbedroppedentirely:sopapaexpects，andIshallseethatitisdone。'
　　`Buthowcanonelittlenote——'sherecommenced，puttingonanimploringcountenance。
　　`Silence!'Iinterrupted。`We'llnotbeginwithyourlittlenotes。
　　Getintobed。'
　　Shethrewatmeaverynaughtylook，sonaughtythatIwouldnotkisshergoodnightatfirst:Icoveredherup，andshutherdoor，ingreatdispleasure；but，repentinghalfway，Ireturnedsoftly，andlo!therewasmissstandingatthetablewithabitofblankpaperbeforeherandapencilinherhand，whichsheguiltilyslippedoutofsight，onmyentrance。
　　`You'llgetnobodytotakethat，Catherine，'Isaid，`ifyouwriteit；andatpresentIshallputoutyourcandle。'
　　Isettheextinguisherontheflame，receivingasIdidsoaslaponmyhand，andpetulant`Crossthing!'Ithenquittedheragain，andshedrewtheboltinoneofherworst，mostpeevishhumours。Theletterwasfinishedandforwardedtoitsdestinationbyamilk-fetcherwhocamefromthevillage:butthatIdidn'tlearntillsometimeafterwards。Weekspassedon，andCathyrecoveredhertemper；thoughshegrewwondrousfondofstealingofftocornersbyherself；andoften，ifIcamenearhersuddenlywhilereading，shewouldstartandbendoverthebook，evidentlydesiroustohideit；andIdetectededgesofloosepaperstickingoutbeyondtheleaves。
　　Shealsogotatrickofcomingdownearlyinthemorningandlingeringaboutthekitchen，asifshewereexpectingthearrivalofsomething:andshehadasmalldrawerinacabinetinthelibrary，whichshewouldtrifleoverforhours，andwhosekeyshetookspecialcaretoremovewhensheleftit。
　　Oneday，assheinspectedthisdrawer，Iobservedthattheplaythings，andtrinketswhichrecentlyformeditscontents，weretransmutedintobitsoffoldedpaper。Mycuriosityandsuspicionswerearoused；Ideterminedtotakeapeepathermysterioustreasures；so，atnight，assoonassheandmymasterweresafeupstairs，Isearchedandreadilyfoundamongmyhousekeysonethatwouldfitthelock。Havingopened，Iemptiedthewholecontentsintomyapron，andtookthemwithmetoexamineatleisureinmyownchamber。ThoughIcouldnotbutsuspect，Iwasstillsurprisedtodiscoverthattheywereamassofcorrespondence——dailyalmost，itmusthavebeen——fromLintonHeathcliff:answerstodocumentsforwardedbyher。
　　Theearlierdatedwereembarrassedandshort；gradually，however，theyexpandedintocopiousloveletters，foolish，astheageofthewriterrenderednatural，yetwithtoucheshereandtherewhichIthoughtwereborrowedfromamoreexperiencedsource。Someofthemstruckmeassingularlyoddcompoundsofardourandflatness；commencinginstrongfeeling，andconcludingintheaffected，wordywaythataschoolboymightusetoafancied，incorporealsweetheart。WhethertheysatisfiedCathy，Idon'tknow；buttheyappearedveryworthlesstrashtome。AfterturningoverasmanyasIthoughtproper，Itiedtheminahandkerchiefandsetthemaside，relockingthevacantdrawer。
　　Followingherhabit，myyoungladydescendedearly，andvisitedthekitchen:Iwatchedhergotothedoor，onthearrivalofacertainlittleboy；and，whilethedairymaidfilledhiscan，shetuckedsomethingintohisjacketpocket，andpluckedsomethingout。Iwentroundbythegarden，andlaidwaitforthemessenger；whofoughtvalorouslytodefendhistrust，andwespiltthemilkbetweenus；butIsucceededinabstractingtheepistle；and，threateningseriousconsequencesifhedidnotlooksharphome，IremainedunderthewallandperusedMissCathy'saffectionatecomposition。
　　Itwasmoresimpleandmoreeloquentthanhercousin's；veryprettyandverysilly。Ishookmyhead，andwentmeditatingintothehouse。Thedaybeingwet，shecouldnotdivertherselfwithramblingaboutthepark；so，attheconclusionofhermorningstudies，sheresortedtothesolaceofthedrawer。Herfathersatreadingatthetable；andI，onpurpose，hadsoughtabitofworkinsomeunrippedfringesofthewindowcurtain，keepingmyeyesteadilyfixedonherproceedings。Neverdidanybirdflyingbacktoaplunderednestwhichithadleftbrimfulofchirpingyoungones，expressmorecompletedespairinitsanguishedcriesandflutterings，thanshebyhersingle`Oh!'andthechangethattransfiguredherlatehappycountenance。
　　MrLintonlookedup。
　　`Whatisthematter，love？Haveyouhurtyourself？'hesaid。
　　Histoneandlookassuredherhehadnotbeenthediscovererofthehoard。
　　`No，papa!'shegasped。`Ellen!Ellen!comeupstairs-I'msick!'
　　Iobeyedhersummons，andaccompaniedherout。
　　`Oh，Ellen!youhavegotthem，'shecommencedimmediately，droppingonherknees，whenwewereenclosedalone。`Oh，givethemtome，andI'llnever，neverdosoagain!Don'ttellpapa。Youhavenottoldpapa，Ellen？
　　sayyouhavenot？I'vebeenexceedinglynaughty，butIwon'tdoitanymore!'
　　Withagraveseverityinmymanner，Ibidherstandup。
　　`So，'Iexclaimed，`MissCatherine，youaretolerablyfaron，itseems:youmaywellbeashamedofthem!Afinebundleoftrashyoustudyinyourleisurehours，tobesure:why，it'sgoodenoughtobeprinted!
　　AndwhatdoyousupposethemasterwillthinkwhenIdisplayitbeforehim？Ihaven'tshownityet，butyouneedn'timagineIshallkeepyourridiculoussecrets。Forshame!andyoumusthaveledthewayinwritingsuchabsurdities:hewouldnothavethoughtofbeginning，I'mcertain。'
　　`Ididn't!Ididn't!'sobbedCathyfittobreakherheart。`I
　　didn'toncethinkoflovinghimtill——'
　　`Loving!'criedI，asscornfullyasIcoulduttertheword。
　　`Loving!Didanybodyeverhearthelike!Imightjustaswelltalkoflovingthemillerwhocomesonceayeartobuyourcorn。Prettyloving，indeed!andbothtimestogetheryouhaveseenLintonhardlyfourhoursinyourlife!Nowhereisthebabyishtrash。I'mgoingwithittothelibrary；
　　andwe'llseewhatyourfathersaystosuchloving。'
　　Shesprangatherpreciousepistles，butIheldthemabovemyhead；andthenshepouredoutfurtherfranticentreatiesthatIwouldburnthem——doanythingratherthanshowthem。Andbeingreallyfullyasinclinedtolaughasscold——forIesteemeditallgirlishvanity——Iatlengthrelentedinameasure，andasked:
　　`IfIconsenttoburnthem，willyoupromisefaithfullyneithertosendnorreceivealetteragain，norabookforIperceiveyouhavesenthimbooks，norlocksofhair，norrings，norplaythings？'
　　`Wedon'tsendplaythings!'criedCatherine，herprideovercominghershame。
　　`Noranythingatall，then，mylady，'Isaid。`Unlessyouwill，hereIgo。'
　　`Ipromise，Ellen!'shecried，catchingmydress。`Oh，puttheminthefire，do，do!'
　　ButwhenIproceededtoopenaplacewiththepoker，thesacrificewastoopainfultobeborne。SheearnestlysupplicatedthatIwouldspareheroneortwo。
　　`Oneortwo，Ellen，tokeepforLinton'ssake!'
　　Iunknottedthehandkerchief，andcommenceddroppingtheminfromanangle，andtheflamecurledupthechimney。
　　`Iwillhaveone，youcruelwretch!'shescreamed，dartingherhandintothefire，anddrawingforthsomehalfconsumedfragments，attheexpenseofherfingers。
　　`Verywell——andIwillhavesometoexhibittopapa!'Ianswered，shakingbacktherestintothebundle，andturninganewtothedoor。
　　Sheemptiedherblackenedpiecesintotheflames，andmotionedmetofinishtheimmolation。Itwasdone；Istirreduptheashes，andinterredthemunderashovelfulofcoals；andshemutely，andwithasenseofintenseinjury，retiredtoherprivateapartment。Idescendedtotellmymasterthattheyounglady'squalmofsicknesswasalmostgone，butIjudgeditbestforhertoliedownawhile。Shewouldn'tdine；butshereappearedattea，pale，andredabouttheeyes，andmarvellouslysubduedinoutwardaspect。NextmorningIansweredtheletterbyaslipofpaper，inscribed，`MasterHeathcliffisrequestedtosendnomorenotestoMissLinton，asshewillnotreceivethem。'And，thenceforth，thelittleboycamewithvacantpockets。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter22Summerdrewtoanend，andearlyautumn:itwaspastMichaelmas，buttheharvestwaslatethatyear，andafewofourfieldswerestilluncleared。
　　MrLintonandhisdaughterwouldfrequentlywalkoutamongthereapers；
　　atthecarryingofthelastsheaves，theystayedtilldusk，andtheeveninghappeningtobechillanddamp，mymastercaughtabadcold，thatsettlingobstinatelyonhislungs，confinedhimindoorsthroughoutthewholeofthewinter，nearlywithoutintermission。
　　PoorCathy，frightenedfromherlittleromance，hadbeenconsiderablysadderanddullersinceitsabandonment；andherfatherinsistedonherreadingless，andtakingmoreexercise。Shehadhiscompanionshipnolonger；
　　Iesteemeditadutytosupplyitslack，asmuchaspossible，withmine:
　　aninefficientsubstitute；forIcouldonlysparetwoorthreehours，frommynumerousdiurnaloccupations，tofollowherfootsteps，andthenmysocietywasobviouslylessdesirablethanhis。
　　OnanafternooninOctober，orthebeginningofNovember——afreshwateryafternoon，whentheturfandpathswererustlingwithmoist，witheredleaves，andthecold，blueskywashalfhiddenbyclouds——darkgreystreamers，rapidlymountingfromthewest，andbodingabundantrain——Irequestedmyyoungladytoforegoherramble，becauseIwascertainofshowers。Sherefused；andIunwillinglydonnedacloak，andtookmyumbrellatoaccompanyheronastrolltothebottomofthepark；aformalwalkwhichshegenerallyaffectediflow-spirited——andthatsheinvariablywaswhenMrEdgarhadbeenworsethanordinary，athingneverknownfromhisconfession，butguessedbothbyherandme，fromhisincreasedsilenceandthemelancholyofhiscountenance。Shewentsadlyon:therewasnorunningorboundingnow，thoughthechillwindmightwellhavetemptedhertoarace。Andoften，fromthesideofmyeye，Icoulddetectherraisingahand，andbrushingsomethingoffhercheek。Igazedroundforameansofdivertingherthoughts。
　　Ononesideoftheroadroseahigh，roughbank，wherehazelsandstuntedoaks，withtheirrootshalfexposed，helduncertaintenure:thesoilwastoolooseforthelatter；andstrongwindshadblownsomenearlyhorizontal。
　　Insummer，MissCatherinedelightedtoclimbalongthesetrunks，andsitinthebranches，swingingtwentyfeetabovetheground；andI，pleasedwithheragilityandherlight，childishheart，stillconsidereditpropertoscoldeverytimeIcaughtheratsuchanelevation，butsothatsheknewtherewasnonecessityfordescending。Fromdinnertoteashewouldlieinherbreeze-rockedcradle，doingnothingexceptsingingoldsongs——mynurserylore——toherself，orwatchingthebirds，jointtenants，feedandenticetheiryoungonestofly:ornestlingwithclosedlids，halfthinking，halfdreaming，happierthanwordscanexpress。
　　`Look，miss!'Iexclaimed，pointingtoanookundertherootsofonetwistedtree。`Winterisnothereyet。There'salittleflowerupyonder，thelastbudfromthemultitudeofbluebellsthatcloudedthoseturfstepsinJulywithalilacmist。Willyouclamberup，andpluckittoshowtopapa？'
　　Cathystaredalongtimeatthelonelyblossomtremblinginitsearthyshelter，andreplied，atlength:
　　`No，I'llnottouchit:butitlooksmelancholy，doesitnot，Ellen？'
　　`Yes，'Iobserved，`aboutasstarvedandsacklessasyou:yourcheeksarebloodless；letustakeholdofhandsandrun。You'resolow，IdaresayIshallkeepupwithyou。
　　`No，'sherepeated，andcontinuedsaunteringon，pausing，atintervals，tomuseoverabitofmoss，oratuftofblanchedgrass，orafungusspreadingitsbrightorangeamongtheheapsofbrownfoliage；and，everandanon，herhandwasliftedtoheravertedface。
　　`Catherine，whyareyoucrying，love？'Iasked，approachingandputtingmyarmoverhershoulder。`Youmustn'tcrybecausepapahasacold；
　　bethankfulitisnothingworse。
　　Shenowputnofurtherrestraintonhertears；herbreathwasstifledbysobs。
　　`Oh，itwillbesomethingworse，'shesaid。`AndwhatshallIdowhenpapaandyouleaveme，andIambymyself？Ican'tforgetyourwords，Ellen；theyarealwaysinmyear。Howlifewillbechanged，howdrearytheworldwillbe，whenpapaandyouaredead。'
　　`Nonecantell，whetheryouwon'tdiebeforeus，'Ireplied。`It'swrongtoanticipateevil。We'llhopethereareyearsandyearstocomebeforeanyofusgo:masterisyoung，andIamstrong，andhardlyforty-five。
　　Mymotherlivedtilleighty，acantydametothelast。AndsupposeMrLintonweresparedtillhesawsixty，thatwouldbemoreyearsthanyouhavecounted，miss。Andwoulditnotbefoolishtomournacalamityabovetwentyyearsbeforehand？'
　　`ButAuntIsabellawasyoungerthanpapa，'sheremarked，gazingupwithtimidhopetoseekfurtherconsolation。
　　`AuntIsabellahadnotyouandmetonurseher，'Ireplied。`Shewasn'tashappyasmaster:shehadn'tasmuchtolivefor。Allyouneeddo，istowaitwellonyourfather，andcheerhimbylettinghimseeyoucheerful；andavoidgivinghimanxietyonanysubject:mindthat，Cathy!
　　I'llnotdisguisebutyoumightkillhim，ifyouwerewildandreckless，andcherishedafoolish，fancifulaffectionforthesonofapersonwhowouldbegladtohavehiminhisgrave；andallowedhimtodiscoverthatyoufrettedovertheseparationhehadjudgeditexpedienttomake。'
　　`Ifretaboutnothingonearthexceptpapa'sillness，'answeredmycompanion。`Icarefornothingincomparisonwithpapa。AndI'llnever——never——oh，never，whileIhavemysenses，doanactorsayawordtovexhim。Ilovehimbetterthanmyself，Ellen；andIknowitbythis:IprayeverynightthatImayliveafterhim；becauseIwouldratherbemiserablethanthatheshouldbe:thatprovesIlovehimbetterthanmyself。'
　　`Goodwords，'Ireplied。`Butdeedsmustproveitalso；andafterheiswell，rememberyoudon'tforgetresolutionsformedinthehouroffear。'
　　Aswetalked，wenearedadoorthatopenedontheroad；andmyyounglady，lighteningintosunshineagain，climbedupandseatedherselfonthetopofthewall，reachingovertogathersomehipsthatbloomedscarletonthesummitbranchesofthewildrosetrees，shadowingthehighwayside:thelowerfruithaddisappeared，butonlybirdscouldtouchtheupper，exceptfromCathy'spresentstation。Instretchingtopullthem，herhatfelloff；andasthedoorwaslocked，sheproposedscramblingdowntorecoverit。Ibidherbecautiouslestshegotafall，andshenimblydisappeared。
　　Butthereturnwasnosucheasymatter:thestonesweresmoothandneatlycemented，andtherose-bushesandblackberrystragglerscouldyieldnoassistanceinre-ascending。I，likeafool，didn'trecollectthat，tillIheardherlaughingandexclaiming:
　　`Ellen，you'llhavetofetchthekey，orelseImustrunroundtotheporter'slodge。Ican'tscaletherampartsonthisside!'
　　`Staywhereyouare，'Ianswered，`Ihavemybundleofkeysinmypocket:perhapsImaymanagetoopenit；ifnotI'llgo。'
　　Catherineamusedherselfwithdancingtoandfrobeforethedoor，whileItriedallthelargekeysinsuccession。Ihadappliedthelast，andfoundthatnonewoulddo；so，repeatingmydesirethatshewouldremainthere，IwasabouttohurryhomeasfastasIcould，whenanapproachingsoundarrestedme。Itwasthetrotofahorse；Cathy'sdancestopped，andinaminutethehorsestoppedalso。
　　`Whoisthat？'Iwhispered。
　　`Ellen，Iwishyoucouldopenthedoor，'whisperedbackmycompanionanxiously。
　　`Ho，MissLinton!'criedadeepvoicetherider's，`I'mgladtomeetyou。Don'tbeinhastetoenter，forIhaveanexplanationtoaskandobtain。'
　　`Ishan'tspeaktoyou，MrHeathcliff，'answeredCatherine。`Papasaysyouareawickedman，andyouhatebothhimandme；andEllensaysthesame。'
　　`Thatisnothingtothepurpose，'saidHeathcliff。Heitwas。
　　`Idon'thatemyson，Isuppose；anditisconcerninghimthatIdemandyourattention。Yes；youhavecausetoblush。Twoorthreemonthssince，wereyounotinthehabitofwritingtoLinton？makingloveinplay，eh？
　　Youdeserved，bothofyou，floggingforthat!Youespecially，theelder；
　　andlesssensitive，asitturnsout。I'vegotyourletters，andifyougivemeanypertnessI'llsendthemtoyourfather。Ipresumeyougrewwearyoftheamusementanddroppedit，didn'tyou？Well，youdroppedLintonwithitintoasloughofdespond。Hewasinearnest:inlove，really。AstrueasIlive，he'sdyingforyou；breakinghisheartatyourfickleness:
　　notfiguratively，butactually。ThoughHaretonhasmadehimastandingjestforsixweeks，andIhaveusedmoreseriousmeasures，andattemptedtofrightenhimoutofhisidiotcy，hegetsworsedaily；andhe'llbeunderthesodbeforesummer，unlessyourestorehim!'
　　`Howcanyouliesoglaringlytothepoorchild？'Icalledfromtheinside。`Prayrideon!Howcanyoudeliberatelygetupsuchpaltryfalsehoods？MissCathy，I'llknockthelockoffwithastone:youwon'tbelievethatvilenonsense。Youcanfeelinyourself，itisimpossiblethatapersonshoulddieforloveofastranger。'
　　`Iwasnotawaretherewereeavesdroppers，'mutteredthedetectedvillain。`WorthyMrsDean，Ilikeyou，butIdon'tlikeyourdouble-dealing，'
　　headdedaloud。`Howcouldyouliesoglaringly，astoaffirmIhatedthe``poorchild''？andinventbugbearstoriestoterrifyherfrommydoorstones？
　　CatherineLintontheverynamewarmsme，mybonnielass，Ishallbefromhomeallthisweek；goandseeifIhavenotspokentruth:do，there'sadarling!Justimagineyourfatherinmyplace，andLintoninyours；thenthinkhowyouwouldvalueyourcarelessloverifherefusedtostirasteptocomfortyou，whenyourfatherhimselfentreatedhim；anddon't，frompurestupidity，fallintothesameerror。Iswear，onmysalvation，he'sgoingtohisgrave，andnonebutyoucansavehim!'
　　ThelockgavewayandIissuedout。
　　`IswearLintonisdying，'repeatedHeathcliff，lookinghardatme。`Andgriefanddisappointmentarehasteninghisdeath。Nelly，ifyouwon'tlethergo，youcanwalkoveryourself。ButIshallnotreturntillthistimenextweek；andIthinkyourmasterhimselfwouldscarcelyobjecttohervisitinghercousin!'
　　`Comein，'saidI，takingCathybythearmandhalf-forcinghertore-enter；forshelingered，viewingwithtroubledeyesthefeaturesofthespeaker，toosterntoexpresshisinwarddeceit。
　　Hepushedhishorseclose，and，bendingdown，observed:
　　`MissCatherine，I'llowetoyouthatIhavelittlepatiencewithLinton；andHaretonandJosephhaveless。I'llownthathe'swithaharshset。Hepinesforkindness，aswellaslove；andakindwordfromyouwouldbehisbestmedicine。Don'tmindMrsDean'scruelcautions；butbegenerous，andcontrivetoseehim。Hedreamsofyoudayandnight，andcannotbepersuadedthatyoudon'thatehim，sinceyouneitherwritenorcall。'
　　Iclosedthedoor，androlledastonetoassisttheloosenedlockinholdingit；andspreadingmyumbrella，Idrewmychargeunderneath:
　　fortherainbegantodrivethroughthemoaningbranchesofthetrees，andwarnedustoavoiddelay。OurhurrypreventedanycommentontheencounterwithHeathcliff，aswestretchedtowardshome；butIdivinedinstinctivelythatCatherine'sheartwascloudednowindoubledarkness。Herfeaturesweresosad，theydidnotseemhers:sheevidentlyregardedwhatshehadheardaseverysyllabletrue。
　　Themasterhadretiredtorestbeforewecamein。Cathystoletohisroomtoinquirehowhewas；hehadfallenasleep。Shereturned，andaskedmetositwithherinthelibrary。Wetookourteatogether；
　　andafterwardsshelaydownontherug，andtoldmenottotalk，forshewasweary。Igotabook，andpretendedtoread。Assoonasshesupposedmeabsorbedinmyoccupation，sherecommencedhersilentweeping:itappeared，atpresent，herfavouritediversion。Isufferedhertoenjoyitawhile；
　　thenIexpostulated:deridingandridiculingallMrHeathcliff'sassertionsabouthisson，asifIwerecertainshewouldcoincide。Alas!Ihadn'tskilltocounteracttheeffecthisaccounthadproduced:itwasjustwhatheintended。
　　`Youmayberight，Ellen，'sheanswered；`butIshallneverfeelateasetillIknow。AndImusttellLintonitisnotmyfaultthatIdon'twrite，andconvincehimthatIshallnotchange。'
　　Whatusewereangerandprotestationsagainsthersillycredulity？
　　Wepartedthatnight——hostile；butnextdaybeheldmeontheroadtoWutheringHeights，bythesideofmywilfulyoungmistress'spony。Icouldn'tbeartowitnesshersorrow:toseeherpaledejectedcountenance，andheavyeyes；andIyielded，inthefainthopethatLintonhimselfmightprove，byhisreceptionofus，howlittleofthetalewasfoundedonfact。
　　[NextChapter][TableofContents]
　　WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter23Therainynighthadusheredinamistymorning——halffrost，halfdrizzleandtemporarybrookscrossedourpath——gurglingfromtheuplands。Myfeetwerethoroughlywetted；Iwascrossandlow；exactlythehumoursuitedformakingthemostofthesedisagreeablethings。Weenteredthefarmhousebythekitchenway，toascertainwhetherMrHeathcliffwerereallyabsent；
　　becauseIputslightfaithinhisownaffirmation。
　　Josephseemedsittinginasortofelysiumalone，besidearoaringfire；aquartofaleonthetablenearhim，bristlingwithlargepiecesoftoastedoatcake；andhisblack，shortpipeinhismouth。Catherinerantothehearthtowarmherself。Iaskedifthemasterwasin？Myquestionremainedsolongunanswered，thatIthoughttheoldmanhadgrowndeaf，andrepeateditlouder。
　　`Na-ay!'hesnarled，orratherscreamedthroughhisnose。`Na-ay!
　　yahmuhgoabackwhearyahcoomfrough。'
　　`Joseph!'criedapeevishvoice，simultaneouslywithme，fromtheinnerroom。`HowoftenamItocallyou？Thereareonlyafewredashesnow。Joseph!comethismoment。
　　Vigorouspuffs，andaresolutestareintothegratedeclaredhehadnoearforthisappeal。ThehousekeeperandHaretonwereinvisible；
　　onegoneonanerrand，andtheotherathiswork，probably。WeknewLinton'stones，andentered。
　　`Oh，Ihopeyou'lldieinagarret!starvedtodeath，'saidtheboy，mistakingourapproachforthatofhisnegligentattendant。
　　Hestopped，onobservinghiserror；hiscousinflewtohim。
　　`Isthatyou，MissLinton？'hesaid，raisinghisheadfromthearmofthegreatchair，inwhichhereclined。`No——don'tkissme:ittakesmybreath。Dearme!Papasaidyouwouldcall，'continuedhe，afterrecoveringalittlefromCatherine'sembrace；whileshestoodbylikingverycontrite。
　　`Willyoushutthedoor，ifyouplease？youleftitopen；andthose——thosedetestablecreatureswon'tbringcoalstothefire。It'ssocold!'
　　Istirredupthecinders，andfetchedascuttlefulmyself。Theinvalidcomplainedofbeingcoveredwithashes；buthehadatiresomecough，andlookedfeverishandill，soIdidnotrebukehistemper。
　　`Well，Linton，'murmuredCatherine，whenhiscorrugatedbrowrelaxed。
　　`Areyougladtoseeme？CanIdoyouanygood？'
　　`Whydidn'tyoucomebefore？'heasked。`Youshouldhavecome，insteadofwriting。Ittiredmedreadfully，writingthoselongletters。
　　I'dfarratherhavetalkedtoyou。Now，Icanneitherbeartotalk，noranythingelse。IwonderwhereZillahis!Willyoulookingatmestepintothekitchenandsee？'
　　Ihadreceivednothanksformyotherservice；andbeingunwillingtorunouttoandfroathisbehest，Ireplied:
　　`NobodyisouttherebutJoseph。'
　　`Iwanttodrink，'heexclaimedfretfully，turningaway。`ZillahisconstantlygaddingofftoGimmertonsincepapawent:it'smiserable!
　　AndI'mobligedtocomedownhere——theyresolvednevertohearmeupstairs。'
　　`Isyourfatherattentivetoyou，MasterHeathcliff？'Iasked，perceivingCatherinetobecheckedinherfriendlyadvances。
　　`Attentive？Hemakesthemalittlemoreattentiveatleast，'
　　hecried。`Thewretches!Doyouknow，MissLinton，thatbruteHaretonlaughsatme!Ihatehim!indeed，Ihatethemall:theyareodiousbeings。'
　　Cathybegansearchingforsomewater；shelightedonapitcherinthedresser，filledatumbler，andbroughtit。Hebidheraddaspoonfulofwinefromabottleonthetable；andhavingswallowedasmallportion，appearedmoretranquil，andsaidshewasverykind。
　　`Andareyougladtoseeme？'askedshe，reiteratingherformerquestion，andpleasedtodetectthefaintdawnofasmile。
　　`Yes，Iam。It'ssomethingnewtohearavoicelikeyours!'hereplied。`ButIhavebeenvexed，becauseyouwouldn'tcome。Andpapasworeitwasowingtome:hecalledmeapitiful，shuffling，worthlessthing；andsaidyoudespisedme；andifhehadbeeninmyplace，hewouldbemorethemasteroftheGrangethanyourfather，bythistime。Butyoudon'tdespiseme，doyou，Miss——
　　`IwishyouwouldsayCatherine，orCathy，'interruptedmyyounglady。`Despiseyou？No!NexttopapaandEllen，Iloveyoubetterthananybodyliving。Idon'tloveMrHeathcliff，though；andIdarenotcomewhenhereturns；willhestayawaymanydays？'
　　`Notmany，'answeredLinton；`buthegoesontothemoorsfrequently，sincetheshootingseasoncommenced；andyoumightspendanhourortwowithmeinhisabsence。Dosayyouwill。IthinkIshouldnotbepeevishwithyou:you'dnotprovokeme，andyou'dalwaysbereadytohelpme，wouldn'tyou？'
　　`Yes，'saidCatherine，strokinghislongsofthair；`ifIcouldonlygetpapa'sconsent，I'dspendhalfmytimewithyou。PrettyLinton!
　　Iwishyouweremybrother。'