Wuthering Heights

Chapter 31

The weather was muggy and there was no sunshine, and the clouds were too heavy to rain.Our date is set at the edge of the boundary stone, at the crossroads.But when we got there, we saw a shepherd boy, who was sent to deliver a message, telling us:

"Master Linton is on this side of the estate, and he would be very grateful if we went any further."

"So Master Linton forgot his uncle's first prohibition," said I, "and told us to stay on the Grange grounds, and look, it's about to go out of bounds."

"Well, then, as soon as we get to him, we'll turn our horses," replied my companion, "and then we'll start home."

But when we got to him it was barely a quarter of a mile from his own door.We found he wasn't riding, and we had to dismount and let the horse graze.

He was lying on the grass, waiting for us to approach, and he didn't stand up until we got close.But he walked so feebly, and looked so pale, that I cried out at once:

"Why, Master Heathcliff, you can't take a walk this morning. How ill you look!"

Catherine looked at him sadly and in shock, and before the cheers came out, they turned into screams.The celebration of the reunion after a long absence turned into an anxious inquiry: Is your condition getting worse?

"No, it's better, it's better!" He gasped, holding her hand tremblingly, as if asking her to support him, his big blue eyes rolled timidly around her body, sunken deep The circles under their eyes changed their listless expression into a wild haggard look.

"But you're sicker," insisted his cousin, "worse than the last time I saw you, and you've lost weight, and—"

"I'm tired," he interrupted hastily. "It's too hot for a walk. Let's lie down here. Besides, I often feel sick in the morning--Dad says I'm growing so fast."

Cathy sat down resignedly, and he lay down beside her.

"It's kind of like your paradise," she said, trying to look cheerful. "Do you remember that we agreed to spend two days together according to the place and method that everyone thought was the most pleasant? This is almost your ideal, that is, there are clouds in the sky. But the clouds are so soft and soft, brighter than the sun It's a good time. If you can, next week we'll ride to the Grange Park and try my paradise."

Linton did not seem to remember what they had said.It was obvious that it was very difficult for him to keep talking, no matter what was being discussed.She could not conceal her disappointment at his indifference to what she had begun, and his inability to offer her anything to entertain her.He was a completely different person, and his behavior was completely changed.The violent temperament that could have been soothed and turned his anger into joy has now become indifferent and indifferent; without the perverse temper of a child who deliberately pesters and disturbs others in order to comfort him, a patient who can be seen at a glance only cares about My own depression and refusal to comfort, but always take the well-intentioned pleasure of others as an insult.

Catherine and I were aware of it, and there was not so much joy in his company.Mo Ruo said it was a crime.So she suggested without hesitation that it would be better to break up.

The suggestion had the unexpected effect of rousing Linton from his lethargy, and throwing him into a strange state of excitement.He cast a terrified glance at the Grange, and begged her to stay at least half an hour longer.

"But I think," said Catherine, "that you'd be more comfortable at home than sitting here. I can't cheer you up today, and I see it's no use telling stories, singing, or chatting. You've grown smarter than me in these six months, and you're not interested in my little tricks now. Otherwise, if I can please you, I'd rather stay."

"Stay for a while," he replied. "Catherine. Don't think, and don't say, that I'm very ill. It's too stuffy, and I'm too hot to be alive. Before you came, I was walking about too much for me. Tell Uncle , my health is not bad, okay?"

"I'll tell him that's what you said, Linton. I don't know if you'll be all right," said my lady, wondering how he could hold on to such a flawed lie.

"Come back next Thursday," he continued, ignoring my bewildered stare. "Thank him for letting you come here, thank you very much, Catherine. And, also, if you ever meet my father and he asks me, don't let him think I'm dumb and stupid. Don't be downcast , like you are now, he will be angry."

"I don't care if he's angry or not," Cathy cried, thinking the anger was coming at her.

"But I'm afraid," said her cousin, trembling. "Don't make him angry with me, Catherine, he's a real villain."

"Has he been cruel to you, Master Heathcliff?" I asked. "He's tired of pampering and hates you for going from quiet to loud?"

Linton glanced at me without answering.Cathy sat next to him for another 10 minutes, and for 10 minutes his head hung on his chest in a daze, and he said nothing except moans of fatigue or pain.She started coming to raspberries to amuse herself, sharing some of her discoveries with me.But she didn't give it to him, because she saw that to provoke him would only upset him.

"Half-hour, Ellen!" she whispered in my ear at last. "I can't say why we're here. He's asleep, and Dad's expecting us to come home."

"Well, we can't let him go when he's asleep," I answered, "and wait till he wakes up. You're eager to get out, but your desire to see Linton has gone away." Already!"

"Why does he want to see me?" Catherine replied. "I liked his former eccentric temper better than his present eccentric mood. He seemed compelled to come and meet me for some task, lest his father should scold him. But I I don't want to thank Heathcliff, whatever his reason for ordering Linton to suffer like this. Besides, though I'm glad his health is better, it's a shame that he's so unhappy and so unenthusiastic about me. I'm sad."

"So you think he's getting better?" I said.

"Yes," she answered, "because he used to make a fuss about being sick, you know. He's not all right, as he wanted me to tell papa, but he is, probably."

"I'm quite the opposite of you, Miss Cathy," I said. "I think he's worse than ever."

Linton woke up from his sleep with a look of panic and terror on his face. He asked if his name was called.

"No," said Catherine, "unless it's in a dream. I can't imagine you dozing off when you're out of doors, early in the morning."

"I think I heard my father's voice," he gasped, glancing at the rocky hills above us. "Are you sure no one is talking?"

"Certainly," replied his cousin. "Only Ellen and I were arguing about your health. Are you really stronger, Linton, than when we parted in the winter? If it's true, there's one thing I'm sure hasn't been stronger, and that's what you did to me. Mind, talk, don't you?"

With tears in his eyes, Linton replied:

"Yes, yes, I'm better!"

The imaginary call still haunted him, and he looked around for the owner of the sound.

Cathy stood up.

"We've got to break up today," she said. "I don't want to hide that I am saddened with disappointment at our meeting, though I will complain to no one but you. It is not that I am afraid of Mr. Heathcliff!"

"Hush," whispered Linton, "for God's sake, keep quiet! Here he comes." He hung Catherine by the arms, trying desperately to keep her.But after hearing his announcement, she broke free quickly and gave Minnie a whistling sound, and he came forward like a dog.

"I'll be here again next Thursday," she cried, leaping into the saddle. "Goodbye. Come on, Alan!"

So we left him.He was so engrossed in waiting for his father's arrival that he barely noticed us leaving.

Before we got home, Catherine's unhappiness had softened into a feeling of bewilderment and melancholy, which was pity and regret, mixed with a lot of vague uneasiness, which was doubting Linton's real situation, not only Physically, and his situation.I also feel the same about this, although I advise her not to talk too much when she goes back, because she can make a clear decision when she goes back again.

My master wants us to report on our trip.His nephew's regards were duly conveyed, but Miss Cathy's others were understated.I didn't give a detailed answer to his questioning, because I almost didn't know what to hide or what to tell.

Seven days passed in a blink of an eye, and every day, Edgar Linton's illness changed drastically, leaving some traces.The catastrophe caused in the past few months is now counted in hours.

As for Catherine, we would like to hide her, but we cannot hide her keenness.She was secretly speculating, thinking deeply about the terrible possibility that gradually became a reality.

When Thursday came again, she was in no mood to mention the ride out again, son.I raised it for her and got permission to let her go for a walk.Because his father went to the study to sit for a while during the day—he could only sit for a while, and his bedroom had become her whole world.She didn't want a moment when she wasn't leaning over his pillow, or sitting beside him.Nursing for days, my heart was sad, and my complexion became pale.My master was very glad to send her away, thinking that it would be best for her to talk to someone else in another place, and he hoped with all his heart that she would not be quite alone after his death, and felt A little consolation.

He has a prejudice, I guess from his repeated expressions, that he thinks that if his nephew looks like him, he must also like him in heart, because Linton's letters are rare, or not at all. What are the flaws.As for me, I didn't point out his mistake for excusable reasons. I thought to myself what good it would be to stir up trouble at his last moment. The opportunity came.

We delayed our trip until the afternoon.It was a golden afternoon in August, and every wind that blew from the mountains was full of life, as if whoever breathed it, even the dying, would recover.

Catherine's face is just like the scene here, the shadow and the sun alternately and quickly pass by.But the shadows linger longer, while the sun rushes by.Her poor little child was still blaming herself for forgetting her sorrow even so so fleetingly.

We see Linton guarding the spot he had chosen last time.My lady dismounted, and told me she had decided to stay only a little while, so I had better not dismount, and let her lead the pony.But I would not promise, I would not risk it, nor would I leave my ward for a single minute.So we climbed up the heather slope together.

Master Heathcliff greeted us with much more spirit this time, but it was not a high spirit, nor joy, but rather fear.

"You are late," he said, his voice short and difficult to speak. "It's not that your father is very ill, is it?"I thought you wouldn't come. "

"Why don't you speak frankly?" cried Catherine, swallowing the greeting from her lips. "Why don't you say right away that you don't want me? How strange, Linton, that this is the second time you've called me here on purpose, and it's clear that you're making us both miserable, and for no other reason! "

Linton trembled, and he slid towards her to look, half pleading, half ashamed, but his cousin's patience was not long enough for eccentricities.

"My father is very ill," she said, "why call me away from him, why don't you send someone to save me from my promise, since you wish I'd better not come? Speak! I want an explanation. .Playing, playing, I have no thoughts at all, I can no longer serve you and put on airs!"

"I'm putting on airs!" he grumbled. "What am I pretending to be? For God's sake, Catherine, don't play like that! You can despise me if you like. I'm worthless, cowardly, and useless. How can I?" Contempt is not enough! But I am so despicable that I am not worthy of your anger, hate my father, forgive me, just look down on me!"

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Catherine angrily. "Fool, silly boy! Look! He's trembling, as if I were going to touch him! You don't have to say contempt, Linton, anyone will give you the honor to look down on you. Go away! I'm coming home. I don't know why, to drag you away from the fire, and pretend to be--what are we pretending? Let go of my clothes, and if you cry because of you, because I see you scared like this, I will pity you You, too, should refuse this mercy! Alan, tell him how disgraceful this behavior is. Stand up, and don't humble yourself like a reptile, don't!"

Linton burst into tears and suffered terribly. His numb body fell to the ground. He seemed terrified and kept shaking.

"Oh!" he sobbed, "I can't bear it! Catherine, Catherine, I'm a traitor, and I dare not tell you! But you leave me, and I'll be killed! Catherine dear, I Your life is in your hands. You said you loved me, and if you do, it will do you no harm. You won't go, say? Good, gentle, good Catherine! Perhaps you will promise, he will Let me die by your side!"

Seeing that he was in unbearable pain, my young lady bent down to help him up.Her anger was overwhelmed by the tenderness of the past, and she was completely moved and shocked.

"Promise what?" she asked. "Stay? Tell me what you mean when you say that strange thing, and I'll stay. You're contradicting yourself, and I don't know why! Calm down and tell the truth, and put your burdens to rest. Pour it out. You wouldn't want to hurt me, Linton, would you? You wouldn't want any enemy to hurt me, if you could stop it, would you? I may believe you're a coward yourself, but cowardice wouldn't come to betray you. your best friend."

"But my father threatens me," gasped the boy, clasping his bony fingers, "I'm afraid of him, I'm afraid of him {I dare not speak."

"Well!" said Catherine, with dismissive sympathy, "keep your secret, I'm not a coward. Save your own life, I'm not afraid!"

Her magnanimity made him cry. He burst into tears and kept kissing her hands that held him, but he still couldn't muster up the courage to tell the truth.

I wondered what the hell was going on in it, and made up my mind that my good intentions would never let Catherine suffer for him or for anyone else.At this time, I heard a sound of NFDA3NFDA4 in the woods, and I looked up.Mr. Heathcliff came down from the Heights, and came almost up to us.He didn't look at my two companions.Though they were near, and Linton's cries were attractive enough, he greeted me almost with sincerity, a note of friendliness which he never bestowed on others, and a sincerity which made me suspicious. of.He said:
"It's good to see you near my house, Nelly! How are you at the Grange? Tell us! Rumors," he continued, in a lower voice, "that Edgar Linton is dying. , perhaps they exaggerated his condition?"

"No, my master is in danger," I answered. "It's true. It's sad for us, but good news for him!"

"How long does he last, do you think?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said.

"Because," he continued, looking at the two young men.They didn't know what to do under his glance: Linton didn't seem to dare to move or raise his head, and Catherine was also stunned seeing Linton's appearance. "Because that kid over there seems determined to beat me, and I'd be grateful if his uncle would be quicker and get ahead of him. Ha! Has the little beast played this game long enough? Tears for him I've taught him a lesson about snot. He's always in a good mood with Miss Linton, isn't he?"

"Happy? No, he's in terrible pain," I replied. "Looking at him, I should say that he shouldn't be loitering on the hills with his sweetheart. He should lie in bed and be under the care of the doctor. "

"He'll be lying down, but in a day or two," murmured Heathcliff. "But get up first, Linton!" he roared, "don't lie on the ground, get up at once!"

Linton panicked again.Collapsing to the ground again, his hopeless terror, I think, was caused by his father's gaze.Nothing else nearby could bring him such humiliation.Several times he tried hard to obey his father's orders, but his weak strength was gone at this moment, and he groaned and fell to the ground again.

Heathcliff stepped forward, lifted him up, and leaned against a small slope in the grass and mud.

"Listen," he said, repressing his ferocity, "if you don't get your poor spirits up again, I'm going to be mad. Damn you! Get up, get up now!"

"I'll stand right here, Father!" he gasped. "Just don't scold me, or I'll pass out! I've done what you told me to do, and it's true. Catherine will tell you I-I-I'm happy. Ah ! Stay with me, Catherine, and give me your hand."

"Take my hand," said his father, "and stand up! Well, she offers you her arm. Well then. Look at her. You'll think I'm the devil himself, Miss Linton, you Scared like this. Do something nice and walk home with him, will you? He's shaking like I touched him."

"Linton, my dear!" whispered Catherine, "I can't go to Wuthering Heights . "

"I can never enter the house again," he answered. "I can't go home without you!"

"Shut up," his father yelled. "Catherine's concern is out of filial piety, and we must respect it. Nelly, take him in, and I'll take your advice, and call the doctor now."

(End of this chapter)