Wuthering Heights

Chapter 32

"That's right," I answered, "but I must be with my mistress. It's none of my business to look after your son."

"You're stubborn!" said Heathcliff. "I knew it. You made me choke the baby and make him scream to impress your kindness. Come on, My hero. Would you like me to accompany you home?"

He stepped forward again, as if about to grab the fragile little thing.But Linton drew back, clutched his cousin, and begged her to go with him, with such a frenzied intensity that it was hard to refuse.

No matter how I objected, I couldn't stop her.Really, how could she refuse?What he was afraid of, we have no intention of inquiring, but he was there, helpless in the hands of fear, and any added shock would have scared him into an idiot.

We were at the door, Catherine went in, and I stood outside, watching her help the sick man onto a chair, and was waiting for her to come out, when suddenly Heathcliff pushed me forward, and cried:

"I don't have a plague in my house, Nelly; I've got a heart for business today. Sit down, and let me close the door."

He closed and locked the door.I was taken aback.

"You drink factory tea before you go home," he said again. "I'm all by myself at home. Hareton is tending the cattle by the Rees, and Zillar and Joseph are out playing. Besides, I'm used to being single. I'd rather have some company, if I could find it. Lynn Sit down next to him, Miss Ton. I've given you all I have. It's a small gift, but I have nothing else to offer. I mean Linton. Why is she staring like that? Odd to say, I've got a tyrannical rage toward whatever fears me! Had I been born where laws and manners are less respectful, I'd have slowly dismembered the two, Give me an evening's entertainment."

He gasped and slammed his fist on the table.Cursed himself:
"By hell, I hate them!"

"I'm not afraid of you!" cried Catherine, unable to swallow the rest of his words.

She came up to him, her dark eyes gleaming with excitement and determination.

"Give me the key. I want the key!" she said. "I don't want to eat or drink here. I don't want to starve to death."

Heathcliff grabbed the key on the table and looked up.He was very surprised by her bloodliness, perhaps, her voice and eyes reminded him of the person she inherited.

She reached for the key, almost snatching it from his slack fingers.But her movement brought him back to reality, and he woke up with a start.

"Well, Katherine Linton," he said, "stand off, or I'll kick you out, and that'll drive Mrs. Dean mad."

disregarded his warning.She took hold of his clenched hand and the contents of it again.

"We're leaving!" she yelled.It took a lot of effort to make the iron muscles yield.Finding that her nails were useless, she used her sharp teeth.

Heathcliff glanced at me.It made me hesitate to intervene immediately.Catherine was so absorbed in his fingers that she didn't notice his expression.He suddenly released his fingers.Hand over the thing that was scrambled for.However, she wasn't sure yet.His loose hand caught her, dragged her to his knees, raised his other hand, and slapped her left and right.Gave her countless slaps.If it wasn't for her being held down and unable to fall, every blow would be enough to fulfill his threat.

Witnessing this demonic violence, I threw myself on him like a madman.

"You villain!" I cried, "You villain!"

A touch on my chest made me speechless.I grew thick and soon became short of breath.Adding anger for this reason, I stumbled, dizzy and backed away, feeling like I was about to suffocate and my veins were about to burst at any moment.

After 2 minutes, the storm died down.After Catherine opened it, she put her hands to her temples.It looked as if she wasn't sure if she had lost her ear.She trembled like a reed, poor thing, leaning against the table, completely bewildered.

"I know how to punish a child, you see," said the rascal, grinning grimly, and stooping to pick up the key which had fallen on the floor again. "Go to Linton's now, I tell you. Cry hard! I'll be your father to-morrow--and in a few days you'll have only me. The good looks are yet to come, you can bear it, You're not a pussy. If I ever see that damned tantrum in your eyes again, I'll feed you every day!"

Cathy didn't go to Linton, she threw herself on my knees beside me, put her hot cheek on my lap, and burst into tears.Her cousin huddled in the corner of the high-backed chair, as quiet as a mouse, congratulating himself, I daresay, that this lesson has been taught to others.

Mr. Heathcliff saw us all bewildered, rose up, and made his own tea with great deftness.Cups and saucers were readily available, and he poured out the tea and handed me a cup.

"Calm your anger," he said. "Pour yourself and my little rascal a cup. I made the tea, but it wasn't poisoned. I'll go out and find your horses."

Seeing him leave, our first thought was to find a place to rush out.We tried the kitchen door, but it was locked from the outside.We looked at the window, which was too narrow for even Cathy's little figure to get out.

"Master Linton," I cried, seeing us plainly imprisoned, "you know what your wicked father wants, tell us, or I'll slap you like he did your cousin Like that."

"Yes, Linton, you must speak," said Catherine. "I came here for you, and it would be ungrateful and abominable if you refused to tell me."

"Give me some tea. I'm thirsty, and I'll tell you later," he replied. "Go away, Mrs. Dean. I don't like you standing in front of me. Ah, Catherine, you've dropped your tears in my glass! I won't drink this, give me another."

Catherine wiped her face and pushed him another glass.Seeing this little villain's nonchalant appearance, I felt disgusted beyond words. At this moment, he no longer worried about himself.The painful state he showed on the moor disappeared as soon as he entered Wuthering Heights.So I imagined that he must have been threatened beforehand with a terrible wrath and punishment if we were not induced to come in.Now that he is done, he will be at peace.

"Daddy wants us to get married," he continued, taking a sip of his tea. "He knows your father won't let us marry now. If we wait, he's afraid I'll die if I can't wait. So we'll get married tomorrow morning, and you'll have to stay here all night. If you listen to him, you'll get married tomorrow." You can go home and take me home with you."

"She took you? Poor fool!" I cried. "You married? What, this man is crazy! Or else he just thinks we're idiots, all idiots. You think that beautiful young lady, that healthy, hearty girl, would strap herself to a dying little monkey Like you! Don't say Miss Catherine, are you still dreaming that there are people who want you to be a husband in the world? You are shameless and crying, and you have brought us here, and you deserve a whip. Don't play fools! I I really want to shake you hard, because of your despicable harm to people's hearts, and because of your futile wishful thinking."

I did shake him a little, but that brought on the coughing, and he went back to his old ways of groaning and crying, and Catherine scolded me.

"Stay all night? No!" she said, looking around slowly. "Allen, I'm going to burn that door down, I'm going out."

She would have done what she said, if Linton had not grown alarmed at the thought of his precious body.He stretched out two frail arms, hugged her tightly, and said with a sob:

"You don't want me, don't you save me? Don't you want me to go to the Grange? Oh! dear Catherine! You must not go, never leave me. You must obey my father, you must!"

"I must do my own father's work," she answered, "and put him off the cruel idea. All night! What will he think? He's in a hurry. I'll cut the road or burn it Come out, get out. Be quiet! You're in no danger. But if you hinder me—Linton, I love papa more than you!"

His fatal dread of violent wrath against Mr. Heathcliff aroused in the boy the obstinacy and chatteriness of a coward.Catherine's mind was almost in disarray, but she still insisted on going home, and she begged him in turn to stop thinking about her own troubles.

While they were tangling like this, our cell boss returned.

"Your animals are gone," said he, "and now, Linton! Are you crying again? What has she done to you? Come, come. Quit crying, and go to bed. In a month or two, my My boy, when your arms are hardened, you can repay her today's violence. You're all dying for love, aren't you? For nothing else. She deserves you! Go to bed! Zilla's out tonight, You'll have to undress yourself. Hush! Be quiet! Once in your own room, I won't come near you, don't be afraid. It's a coincidence. You've done a good job today, and I'll do the rest."

After he finished these tasks, he opened the door and let his son go out.The person who went out looked like a dog, full of suspicion, lest the person who opened the door would pinch it on purpose.

The door was locked again.Heathcliff approached the fireplace, where my lady and I stood in silence.Catherine looked up.Instinctively, she covered her cheek with her hand, and the painful feeling of being next to him came to her heart again.Seeing this childish behavior, no one would be hard-hearted.But he frowned at her and murmured:

"Oh, you're not afraid of me? You're putting on an air of bravery, but you seem terribly afraid!"

"I'm afraid now," she answered, "because if I stay here papa will be very upset. I can't bear to make him anxious, and besides he, besides him, Mr. Heathcliff, let me go home." I promise to marry Linton. Papa would love me to marry him, and I love him, why do you force me to do what I want to do?"

"See how he dares to force you," I yelled. "Thank God, there are still laws in the world, and there are laws to follow!"Although we live in a remote place.Even if he is my son, I will report him. This is a felony that even a priest cannot forgive! "

"Shut up!" said the scoundrel. "Damn you! I didn't ask you to talk. Miss Linton, I couldn't be happier to think of your father's anxiety. I couldn't sleep for my happiness. You told me it was going to happen, just The best reason to keep you locked up in my room for another twenty-four hours, and no better reason. As for your promise to marry Linton, I will take care to keep you faithful, because before marriage, you You can't get out of this place."

"Then let Ellen go and let Daddy know I'm all right!" cried Catherine, weeping bitterly. "Or marry me now. Poor papa! Ellen, he'll think we're lost. What shall we do?"

"He won't! He'll think you're tired of serving him, and go off to have fun," replied Heathcliff. "You can't deny it. You came to my house voluntarily, in violation of his prohibition. At your age, you can be forgiven for wanting to have some fun. Looking after a sick person, of course, would tire you. Besides, he was just a Your father. Catherine, when you were born, his happiest days were over. I dare say he cursed you for coming into this world, at least I did. And if he should curse you when he goes away I'm going to curse with him, I don't love you! Why should I? Cry you. As far as I can see, crying will be your chief pastime hereafter, unless Linton makes up for your losses elsewhere. Your prophetic father seemed to think he could make a difference. The counsel and comfort in his letters made me very happy to read. In the last letter, he asked my treasure Song to treat his treasure well, When you get her, be considerate to her. Kindness and consideration. What a father! But Linton will use all the kindness and consideration on himself. Linton does a good job as a little tyrant. If the cat is pulled out and cut off their claws, he would be more than willing to torture them one by one. When you come home again, you will be able to tell his uncle enough of his 'thoughtful' stories, I will give you guarantee."

"That's not bad!" said I. "Shows your son's character; see how much he resembles you, and then I hope Miss Cathy will think it over before she accepts the viper!"

"I don't care so much to speak of his virtues now," he replied, "because she will either accept him or be a prisoner, and you will stay with her until your master dies. Here I can keep you Withhold it. If you don't believe it, tell her to take back her words, and you'll have a chance to weigh them up!"

"I don't take my work back," Catherine said. "I'll marry him, in an hour, if I can go back to Thrushcross Grange afterward. You're a vicious man, Mr. Heathcliff, but you're not a devil. You don't go wrong just for being vicious." Redemptively ruined my happiness. If papa thinks I left him on purpose, and if he dies before I get back, how am I going to live? I won't cry, but I'm going to kneel here, on my knees On your knees, I won't get up. Don't take your eyes off your face until you look back at me! Don't, don't turn around, look at me, you won't see what makes you angry. I don't hate you. You hit me I'm not angry either. Have you never loved anyone in your life, Uncle? Never? Ah! You must look at me, I'm so miserable, you can't help regretting it, pity me."

"Get your lizard fingers off, and go away, or I'll kick you!" cried Heathcliff, pushing her violently away. "I'd rather be hugged by a snake. What the hell are you thinking, dreaming of flattering me? I hate you!"

He shrugged his shoulders and shook his whole body, really, as if there were worms crawling in his flesh.He pushed back his chair, and I stood up, sweating, trying to swear at him incessantly.But I haven't finished my sentence yet.Then I was speechless again, because he threatened to put me in solitary confinement if I made another sound.

It was getting dark, and we heard voices at the garden gate.Our host rushed out in a hurry.His wit is still there, ours is gone.There was talking for two or three minutes, and then he walked back by himself.

"I thought it was your cousin Hareton," I said to Catherine. "I wish he'd come! Who knows he won't come to our aid."

"It's three servants, sent by the Grange to look for you," said Heathcliff, who heard me. "You should have opened the lattice window and howled; but I swear the girl is glad you didn't. She'd love to be dragged here, I have no doubt."

We knew we had missed our chance, and both of us couldn't bear it any longer, and wept bitterly.He let us cry until nine o'clock, and then he told us to go upstairs, through the kitchen, to Zilla's room.I whispered to my companion to do his bidding.Maybe we can figure out a way to get out of the window there, or get into some attic and escape through the skylight.

But the windows were narrow, like the ones below, and the attempt to get to the attic was likewise in vain.Because we locked it up like before.

Neither of us lay down.Catherine stood by the latticed window.Anxiously looking forward to the dawn, I repeatedly begged her to find a way to rest.All he got was a deep sigh.

I sat in a chair, rocking this and that, sternly judging my many inadequacies.It was by my failure, I thought at the time, that all the misfortunes of all my masters had arisen from it.That was not the case, as I see now.But on that dreary night, so it was in my fancy, I felt that Heathcliff himself was less guilty than I was.

He came at seven o'clock, and asked if Miss Linton was up.

She rushed to the door at once, and answered:

"Wake up."

"That's good," he said, opening the door and pulling her out.

I stood up to follow, but he tightened the lock again.I want him to let me go.

"Be patient," he answered, "I'll bring you breakfast in a moment."

I pounded on the wall panels and shook the deadbolt angrily.Catherine asked why I was still locked up?I must stand another hour, he answered, and they went away.

I did not know whether it was two or three hours, and at last I heard a footstep, not Heathcliff's.

"I've brought you something to eat," said a voice, "open the door!"

Hastily obeying, I saw Hareton, who had brought enough food to last me a whole day.

"Here," he said again, thrusting the tea tray into my hand.

"One minute." I said.

"No!" He yelled and backed out, ignoring all the good things I said, begging him to stay for a while.

I was held there for a whole day, and then a whole night, and then another day, and then another night.All told, I was shut up five nights and four days, seeing no one but Hareton.Hareton came every morning, and he was a model jailer.Really, deaf and dumb, no matter how hard I tried to impress his sense of justice and compassion, it was useless.

On the fifth morning, or rather in the afternoon, a different sound of footsteps approached—comparably shorter, and this time, people also entered the factory room.It was Zira, wearing a purple scarf, a black silk hat on her head, and a wicker basket dangling on her arm.

"Oh, dear! Mrs. Dean," she cried. "Well! Gimmerton is talking about you everywhere. I always thought you were drowned in the Black Horse Swamp, and the lady sank with you, or the master told me that he found you, and he let you live here! What? , you must have climbed onto an island, sure? How long were you in that hole? Did the master save you? Mrs. Dean? But you ain't so skinny, you're not in a mess, are you? "

"Your master is a complete rascal!" I replied. "But he'll get what he deserves. He won't have to make up that story, and it'll all be clear!"

(End of this chapter)