Wuthering Heights

Chapter 8

"Yeah, all the more reason for you to go to bed with a proud heart and an empty belly," I said. "The proud man brings sorrow upon himself. But if you are ashamed of your waywardness, remember that when she comes, you must beg forgiveness. You must go up to her and say—you know what to say. To Sincerely, don't act as if you thought she was a stranger in her bright clothes. Now, though I have to prepare dinner, I shall find time to tidy you up so that Edgar Linton can go Standing next to you, you look like a doll. That's what he looks like. You're younger than him, and, I guarantee, you're taller than him, with shoulders twice as wide. Down. Are you saying you can't?"

Heathcliff's face lit up for a moment.But immediately the cloud came back, and he sighed.

"But, Nelly, if I knocked him down twenty times, it wouldn't detract from his beauty or make me look a little better. I wish I had light hair and fair skin, and a decent dress and manner, and I would To be as rich as him!"

"And call mother when you move," I added, "a country boy who shakes his fist at you and stays at home all day when it rains. Oh, Heathcliff, you really Nothing! Look in the mirror, and I'll show you what you should expect. Do you see the two lines between your eyes, and the thick thick eyebrows, not raised like bows, but sunken in the middle; and, that pair of black devils, who never open their windows boldly, always lurk beneath them, like spies of devils? Hope and learn to smooth out these gloomy wrinkles, magnanimous Raise your eyelids carefully, let that pair of devils become confident, innocent angels, never doubt anything, and always regard those who are not your enemies as your friends forever. Don't show your vicious dog It looks like it knows it deserves to be kicked, but not only hates the person who kicked it, but also hates the whole world for the humiliation it has suffered.”

"In other words, I must wish to have Edgar Linton's big blue eyes and smooth forehead," he replied. "I do hope, but what's the use of hoping."

"A good heart can make you have a good face, my boy," I went on, "even if you are a black person. A bad heart can make the most beautiful face worse than ugly. Now we are done washing and combing And when you're done with your hair, tell me do you think you're very beautiful? I tell you, I do. You're a bit of a prince in disguise. Who knew your father wasn't the emperor of China, and your mother wasn't the queen of India, Any one of them could buy Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange whole for a week's income? You've been kidnapped and brought to England by wicked sailors. If I were you I'd spin a noble story. When I think of who I was, I have the courage and dignity to resist the oppression of a small villager!"

If so, I'll keep talking.Heathcliff gradually relaxed his brows, and his expression began to brighten.At this time, our conversation was suddenly interrupted, and only the wheels on the road rolled into the courtyard.He ran to the window, and I to the door, just in time to see the two young Lintons, wrapped in great cloak furs, step out of his family's carriage, and the Earnshaws dismount their horses.In winter, they often go to church on horseback.Catherine took a child by the hand, led us into the living room, and sat down in front of the fireplace.The flames quickly colored their pale faces.

I urged my partner to hurry up and brighten his good mood, and he agreed willingly.But by bad luck, when he opened the door leading to the kitchen here, Hindley opened the door on the other side.They ran into each other.When the young master saw that he was clean and happy, he became furious instead.Or, perhaps to keep his promise to Mrs. Linton, he pushed him back sharply, and told Joseph angrily, "Don't let the boy in, take him into the attic until supper." Finished. If he's left alone with them for a minute, he'll be grabbing pies and stealing fruit."

"No, sir," I could not help answering, "he won't touch anything, no. I think he must have his share of refreshments, as we do."

"He's got my share of the slap if I see him downstairs again before dark," growled Hindley. "Go away, you rascal! What! You want to be a boy, don't you? Wait and see me grab those beautiful curls of yours, and see if I don't pull them out a little longer!"

"They're long enough," interposed Master Linton, looking from the porch, "I wonder how they didn't make his brain ache. It covers his eyes like a horse's mane!"

He did not mean to humiliate him by speaking these words rashly.But Heathcliff's wild nature cannot bear the slightest insolence towards him from a man he seems to hate, a man who is even then his rival in love.He snatched a tub of hot applesauce, the first thing he caught, and splashed it on the speaker's face and neck.Edgar began to cry at that time, causing Isabella and Catherine to rush to the scene.

Mr. Earnshaw seized the murderer, and led him to his bedroom.There there was no doubt that he had resorted to violent therapy to assuage his anger, for he reappeared flushed and out of breath.I took the dishcloth and wiped Edgar's face viciously to let him know that it was his meddling.His sister started crying to go home, and Kathy stood by, bewildered, blushing at what had happened.

"You shouldn't speak to him!" she advised Master Linton. "He's got a bad temper, and now you're ruining his enjoyment of going out, he'll be whipped. I hate him for being whipped! I can't eat. Why are you talking to him, Edgar?"

"I didn't say that," sobbed the boy Yu, who escaped from me and wiped the rest with his white linen handkerchief. "I promised my mother not to say a word to him, but I didn't."

"Now, don't cry," said Catherine contemptuously. "No one killed you. Get out of trouble. My brother's here, be quiet! Now, Isabella! Did someone hurt you too?"

"Well, well, sit down, boys," cried Hendry, hurrying in. "That little beast keeps me warm."Next time, Master Edgar, enforce the law with your own fists—that'll give you a good appetite! "

Seeing the fragrant feast, the group of people became quiet again.Hungry as they rode, it was easy to calm down because they hadn't suffered much damage.

Mr Earnshaw cut and shared the plate, and Mrs' chatter and laughter kept them entertained.I waited behind the lady's chair, and was saddened to see Catherine, dry-eyed and indifferent, begin to cut the wing of a goose in front of her.

"The heartless child," I thought, "is so easily relieved from the distress of an old friend."

She forked a piece into her mouth, then put it down again.Her face was flushed and tears were streaming down her face.She dropped her fork and scrambled under the tablecloth to hide her emotion.I don't think she's heartless anymore.For I saw that she was languishing all day, and tried to get out, or go and see Heathcliff, who was locked up in his room by the master, and I managed to sneak him some food afterward. time, found out.

We have a dance tonight.Cathy begged to be released because Isabella Linton had no partner.Pleading in vain, I was sent to remedy.

Jumping to the top of the fun, all our troubles are forgotten.The arrival of the Gimmerton band added to our joy.The band consisted of fifteen people: a trumpet, a trombone, clarinets, bassoons, French horns, and a double bass, and singers.Every Christmas they go to all the decent houses and collect donations.We consider it a first-class treat to hear them play.

After the usual carols, we had them sing folk songs and re-songs.Mrs Earnshaw liked music, and they sang a lot.

Catherine also likes music.But she said it sounded the sweetest at the top of the stairs, and went upstairs in the dark, and I followed.They closed the door of the "house" underneath, not even noticing our departure, with so many people in the house.She did not stop at the top of the stairs, but climbed higher to the attic where Heathcliff was imprisoned, and called to him.He stubbornly refused to answer for a while, but she just kept calling, and finally got him to talk to her through the door panel.

I left the poor little things alone to talk, and left them alone, till I thought the song was almost over, and the singers were going to eat, drink, and rest, then climbed the stairs to warn them.

But I found that she was not outside, instead I heard her voice coming from inside.The little monkey climbed to the roof through the skylight of one attic, and then climbed into the skylight of another attic.I tried my best to coax her out again.

Heathcliff followed her when she came out.She pestered me to take him to the kitchen, for my fellow man had gone to a neighbor's house to escape our "devil's hymn," and he said so with glee.I told them I had no intention of encouraging their tricks, but as the prisoner hadn't broken his fast since dinner yesterday, I'd just pretend I didn't see him and trick Mr Hindley again.

He came downstairs, and I sat him down on a little bench by the fire, and gave him a good deal of food.But he was sick and couldn't eat, so my kindness was in vain.He rested his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin on his hands, thinking silently.

I asked him what he was thinking, and he replied solemnly:
"I'm thinking about how to repay Hindley. I don't care how long I have to wait, as long as I can get revenge in the end, I hope Hindley won't die before I do it!"

"No shame, Heathcliff!" I said, "Only God can punish bad people, and we should learn to forgive."

"No, God won't have my pleasure," he replied, "I only wish I knew the best way! Leave me alone, I want it out, I want revenge, and it doesn't hurt .”

But, Mr. Lockwood, I forget that these stories are not to amuse you.Damn me, why did I just think of Xiaosuosuo to this point.Your porridge is cold, and you are dozing off.Heathcliff's story, what you want to hear, I could have finished it in a few words.

So she paused, and the housekeeper rose to put her sewing aside.But I don't feel able to leave the fire, I don't feel sleepy at all.

"Sit down, Mrs. Dean," I cried, "sit down and talk for half an hour! It's very nice of you to tell the story at such a slow pace, it's just what I like. You must finish it like this. I respect you Everyone involved is interested, no matter how much or how little.”

"The clock strikes eleven, sir."

"It doesn't matter, I'm not used to going to bed before twelve o'clock. For a person who sleeps until ten o'clock, one or two o'clock is early enough."

"You shouldn't sleep till ten. By that time the good morning is over. A man who has not done half his day's work by ten o'clock probably won't be able to do the other half."

"But, Mrs. Dean, get back in your saddle. Because tomorrow I'm going to put the night off until the afternoon. At least I'm afraid I've got a bad cold."

"I hope not, sir. Well, you'll have to promise me to jump over a period of about three years, during which Mrs Earnshaw—"

"No, no, I will never promise to jump around! You can experience such a mood when you are sitting alone and the old cat is licking its kittens in front of you, and you are so absorbed in watching it lick, So that it misses licking one ear, will it make you seriously angry?"

"Too lazy to be in a terrible mood, I'm going to say."

"On the contrary, it is a distasteful mood. This is my mood at the moment. So, go on in detail. I see that the people in this neighborhood are compared with the various inhabitants of the city like spiders in the cellar. The spiders in the hut. It is not entirely because I am a bystander that I see such fascinating tricks. They do live more seriously, take care of themselves more, and pay less attention to superficial changes , and trivial external things. I dare to imagine that the love of the sea is almost possible here. I never believe that any love can last longer than a year. There is a situation like putting a hungry person in a small In front of a missing dish, he will seriously pounce on his appetite and never neglect it. Another situation is to lead him to a table full of French dishes: the whole The banquet may have satisfied him as well, but each part, whether at the time or in retrospect, was but a drop in the ocean."

"Oh! We're no different than everybody else in that, and you'll know when you get to know us," said Mrs. Dean, bewildered by my words.

"Excuse me," I replied, "you, my good friend, are an obvious counter-evidence to what you just said. Except for a little innocuous rusticity, I usually regard your class as a bad habit, and there is nothing wrong with it." Leave your mark on you. I'm sure you're far more thoughtful than the average servant. You'll have to develop your thinking skills, for you lack the opportunity to spend your life on silly little things."

Mrs. Dean laughed.

"I do think I'm a stable and rational person," she said, "It's not all because of living in these hills, getting used to seeing those faces, and that set of behaviors, year after year. But because I have had a strict education, which has taught me wisdom. Besides, I have read more than you can imagine, Mr. Lockwood. In this study you can open any book, every book I have ever read Read it, and learned from it. The only exceptions are the Greek, Latin, and French books, but I can tell the difference between those books too. That's all you can ask for from a poor girl.

"However, my story is really going to be told in a rambling manner, and it's best that I go on. Instead of skipping three years, I skip to the next summer, which is the summer of 23, almost It was [-] years ago."

On a fine morning in June, the first baby I raised, the last of the old Earnshaw line, was born.

We were busy raking in a field far away, and the girl who usually brought us breakfast came all the way an hour early.She ran across the pasture and up the lane, calling to me as she ran.

"Oh, what a fat boy!" she gasped. "Never seen such a wonderful child in the world! But the doctor said the wife was dying. He said she had been suffering from tuberculosis for several months. I heard him tell Hindley that she had nothing to support now. She couldn't bear it." She's dying in the winter. You go home. Nellie, you feed him, feed him sugar and milk, take care of him day and night. I wish it was you, because the wife is gone and he's all yours La!"

"But is she very ill?" I asked.I dropped the rake and put on my hat.

"I guess so. But she does look brave enough," replied the girl, "and she talks as if she thought she could live to see him grow up. She's confused with joy. What a beautiful little thing 2 if I'm her, and I'm sure I won't die. I'll just look at him and be fine, whatever Kenneth says. I'm sick of him. Mrs. Archer keep the little angel in her The young master of the house, whose countenance had just brightened, came forward and said, 'Earnshaw, it is a blessing to your wife to have left you this son. When she came, I I'm convinced we won't keep her long, and now I must tell you that winter might kill her. Don't take it too seriously, don't worry too much about it, it's hopeless. Besides, you should be sensible Some, such a girl should not be married!"'

"How did the young master answer?" I asked.

"I thought he was cursing, but I ignored him, I just went to the baby." She was describing him ecstatically again.I was as anxious as she was, and hurried home to see it for myself, though I was very sad for Hindley's sake.Although there are two idols in his heart, he dotes on himself and his wife.Adoring one, I can't imagine how he would bear the loss.

He was standing at the gate when we reached Wuthering Heights.When I entered the room, I asked him, "How is the child?"

"Almost walking, Neil!" he replied, smiling cheerfully.

"Where's the wife?" I asked courageously. "The doctor said she was—"

"Damn doctor!" he interrupted me, blushing. "Frances is all right. She'll be all right by this time next week. Are you going upstairs? Please tell her I'll come if she promises not to talk. I'm leaving because she can't hold her tongue. But She has to be taken in, tell her Mr Kenneth says she has to be quiet."

I passed this information on to Mrs Earnshaw.She looked in high spirits, and answered cheerfully:

"I hardly said a word, Ellen, but he went out twice, and was crying. Well, say I promised not to talk, but that doesn't keep me from laughing at him!"

poor soul!Up to a week before her death, her cheerful mood was not extinguished.Her husband insisted obstinately, no, furiously, that his health was improving day by day.Kenneth warned him that his medicines were useless at this stage of his illness, and that there was no need for him to waste any more money on seeing her, and he replied:
"I know you don't need it, she's well, she doesn't need your consultation anymore! She never had tuberculosis. It was a fever, and now it's gone, her pulse is as smooth as mine, and her cheeks are as smooth as mine. cold."

(End of this chapter)