Chapter 27 Chapter Twenty Seven

Seven days passed in a blink of an eye, and everything showed that Edgar Linton's condition was changing rapidly.The serious illness that had afflicted him for the past few months was getting worse every hour. We still tried to hide from Catherine, but her ingenuity did not allow her to hide from us, and the terrible possibility which she had secretly dreaded was gradually becoming an indisputable necessity. Thursday came again, and she didn't have the guts to bring up the horseback ride, so I did it for her, and got permission to go out with her.The study—her father still went there for a while every day, the only time he could sit still—and his bedroom had become her whole world.She was willing to bend over his pillow or sit beside him all the time.Her face was pale from day and night of guarding and grief.My master took comfort in the hope that she would go away and go elsewhere, thinking that this would give her a change of scene and companions, so that she would not be left alone after his death.

From several conversations I had with the master, I guessed that he had a stubborn notion that if his nephew looked like him, he must have a heart like him too, since little or nothing from Little Linton revealed reveal his character flaws.And I, out of pardonable weakness, could not bear to correct his error.What good, I asked myself, in his last moments, was to bother him with information that he had neither the ability nor the opportunity to make use of. We put off going out until the afternoon; it was a golden afternoon in August, and every breeze from the hills was alive with life, as if anyone, even the dying, could be brought back to life by inhaling it .

Catherine's face was like the landscape before her--the shadows and the sun passing alternately; but the shadows lasted longer, and the suns fleeting; myself. We see Linton still guarding the spot he had chosen last time.My lady dismounted and told me that she decided to stay only for a while and that I'd better lead her pony and stay on the horse.But I don't agree.I don't want to take that risk.Keep my guardian out of my sight.So together we climbed the heather slope. Master Heathcliff received us this time with a more cordial reception, less of excitement or pleasure than of fear.

"It's late!" he said, speaking short and laboriously. "Isn't your father very ill? I thought you wouldn't come." "Why don't you just say it?" cried Catherine, swallowing the greeting. "Why can't you say right away that you don't need me? It's strange, Linton, it's the second time you've made me Coming here is clearly to make the two of us suffer together, there is no other reason!" Linton trembled, and glanced at her partly beggingly, partly ashamed, but his cousin had not the patience to endure his ambiguity. "My father is very ill," she said, "then why did you call me from his bedside—you hoped I would break my promise, so why didn't you send a letter to release me from my promise?" What? Hey! I want you to give me an explanation. I don't have any intention of playing and chatting now, and I can no longer cater to you and make fun of your pretense!"

"I'm putting on airs!" he muttered. "What's on the airs? For God's sake, Catherine, don't be so angry! Just look down on me as much as you despise me. I'm a good-for-nothing, spineless wretch, You can't laugh at me too much! But I'm too unworthy to make you angry—you can hate my father, but don't hate me, forgive me, and despise me!" "Nonsense!" exclaimed Catherine angrily, "foolish fool! Look! He's trembling as if I were really going to touch him! You needn't beg people to look down on you, Linton; anyone will see you in such a state." Naturally I'll despise you. Go away! I'm going home. It's absurd to drag you out of the fireplace and pretend - what have we got to pretend? Let go of my clothes! Even if I cry because I see you , you are so frightened that you pity you, and you should refuse this pity. Go and tell him, Alan, how disgraceful his behavior is. Arise, don't degenerate yourself into a vile reptile--don't !"

Linton burst into tears, and his expression was extremely painful. His weak body fell to the ground, and his whole body seemed to twitch uncontrollably due to extreme fear. "Ah!" he sobbed, "I can't bear it! Catherine, Catherine, I'm still a treacherous man, and I dare not tell you! If you leave me, I'll be killed! Catherine dear, My life is in your hands; you said you loved me--if you did, it wouldn't hurt you. You won't go, then? Good, dear good Catherine! Perhaps You will agree - he wants me to die with you!" Seeing that he was in extreme pain, my lady bent down to help him up.The tolerance and warmth of the past overwhelmed the anger in front of her. She was completely moved and frightened.

"Promise what?" she asked, "promise to stay? Tell me what you mean by these strange words, and I'll stay. You contradict yourself and confuse me too! Be calm, and say truthfully, Speak all that is on your mind at once. You won't hurt me, Linton, will you? You won't let any bad man do it to me, if you can stop it? I believe it, to you Personally speaking, you are a timid person, but you will not be so timid as to betray your best friend, will you?" "But my father threatens me," gasped the boy, squeezing his thin fingers, "I'm afraid of him—I'm afraid of him! I can't tell!"

"Oh, well then!" said Catherine, with sarcasm in pity, "you keep your secret, I'm no coward—take care of yourself, I'm not afraid!" Her generosity moved him to tears.He burst into tears and kissed her hands that supported him desperately, but he still couldn't muster up the courage to speak. I was wondering what the secret would be, and determined that Catherine should never be harmed by my good intentions for him or anyone else, when I heard a rustling in the heather; and looking up, I saw Heath Mr. Cliff was coming down from the Heights, and was about to come near us.Although he was so near my two young companions that Linton's cries could already be heard, he did not even glance at them, but spoke in an almost earnest tone which he had never used to anyone else. He greeted me with a sincerity that could not but arouse my suspicions.He said:

"It's a pleasure to see you so close to my house, Nellie! How are you doing at the Grange? Tell us about it! There are rumors," he went on, in a low voice, "Ed Jar Linton is dying, maybe they're exaggerating it?" "No exaggeration, my master is on the verge of dying," I answered; "it's quite true. It's a sad thing for us all, but a blessing for him!" "How long do you think he can last?" he asked. "I don't know." I replied. "Because," he went on, looking at the two young men, who did not move under his gaze--Linton seemed afraid to move or raise his head, and Catherine was disturbed by his words. Stunned, "Because that kid over there seems to be trying to get me in trouble; his uncle walks fast and ahead of him, I have to thank him--Hey! Is the little beast still playing that trick? I've taught him all about his tears and nose. Is he happy when he's with Miss Linton?"

"Happy? No—he's looking very miserable," I replied. "Look at the way he looks, I must say, he shouldn't be hanging around these hills with his sweetheart, but lying in bed under the doctor's care." .” "He'll be lying down in a day or two," grumbled Heathcliff, "but first—get up, Linton! Get up!" Get up immediately!" Linton fell again in a fit of involuntary terror from his father's glare at him, and I thought that no other reason could have caused him to do such a shameful thing.He made several attempts to obey orders, but at this moment his little physical strength was completely exhausted, and he groaned and threw himself on the ground again.

Mr. Heathcliff stepped forward, lifted him up, and set him against a grassy bank. "Now," he said, with all his vigour, "I'm going to lose my temper, and if you don't pull up your wretched spirit again--damn you! Get up! Quick!" "I'll get up, father," he gasped, "but don't rush me, or I'll faint! I did as you told me, it's true. Catherine will tell you that I— Delighted. Ah! Hold me, Catherine, give me a hand." "Hold my hand," said his father, "get up yourself! Come—she'll give you a hand. That's right, look at her. Miss Linton, you think I'm the devil Incarnate, scare him like this. Do me a favor and take him home, will you? When I touch him, he'll tremble again." "Linton, dear!" whispered Catherine, "I can't go to Wuthering Heights... Papa won't let me go... He won't hurt you, why are you so afraid?" "I shall never enter that house again," he answered, "and neither shall I, unless you go with me!" "Shut up!" his father shouted. "Catherine has scruples out of filial piety, and we should respect them. Nellie, help him in. I must obey your orders and send for the doctor without delay." "It's better for you to help him in," I replied, "I have to stay with my lady. It's not my job to take care of your son." "You're a stubborn man," said Heathcliff, "I know that. You're making me pinch the boy and make him scream before you can have mercy. Well then." , my hero, would you like me to escort you home?" He stepped forward again, as if to grab the frail child, but Linton flinched and held his cousin tightly, begging with a frenzied irresistible demand. She went back with him. No matter how much I disapproved, I couldn't stop her.In fact, how could she refuse him herself?What filled him with fear we never knew, but there he was, powerless under the sway of that terror, which seemed to frighten him into an idiot at once if any threat were added. We came to the door; Catherine went in, and I stood by the door, waiting for her to help the patient into the chair, expecting her to come out at once; at this moment Mr. Heathcliff pushed me forward, cried: "I don't have the plague in my house, Nellie, and I want to entertain today. Sit down, and let me close the door." He closed the door and locked it.I was taken aback. "You'll have some tea before you go back," he went on, "and I'm alone in the house. Hareton has gone out to lee with his cattle--Zillar and Joseph out; and though I'm used to being alone, if I can find I should like to have a few interesting company. Sit down beside him, Miss Linton. I will give you one of my own. It is not a present very worthy of acceptance, but I have none I can give you something else. I mean Linton. Why does she stare like that? Strange, I get a very savage idea of ​​anything that seems to be afraid of me! If I were born In a country where the laws are less severe and the fashions less refined, I would certainly take these two for a slow vivisection, for evening entertainment." He gasped, slammed his fist on the table, and cursed himself: "Hell bears witness! I hate them!" "I'm not afraid of you!" cried Catherine, who could not bear the last part of his speech. She stepped forward, her dark eyes gleaming with anger and determination. "Give me the key, I want it!" said she, "and I shall not eat or drink here even if I die of hunger." Heathcliff held in his hand the keys which lay on the table, and he looked up, marveling at her courage, or, perhaps, her voice and eyes, reminding him of the one who had bequeathed them to her. woman. She grabbed the key, nearly snatching it from his loose fingers.But her action brought him back to reality, and he immediately took the key back into his hand. "Listen, Katherine Linton," said he, "stand off, or I'll beat you to your knees, and it will drive Mrs. Dean mad." She ignored his warning at all, and grabbed his clenched hand and what was in it again. "We must go," she cried repeatedly, trying as hard as she could to break his iron fist, and finding her nails ineffective, she used her sharp teeth. Heathcliff glanced at me, which prevented me from intervening for a moment.Catherine was so focused on his hands that she didn't pay attention to his expression.He let go of his fingers suddenly, throwing away the contention; but, before she could take it, he seized her with the free hand, pressed her to his lap, and with the other There was a rain of blows on the sides of her head, each of which would have knocked her down if she hadn't been caught, confirming his threat was not empty. Seeing this heinous atrocity, I rushed towards him in a rage. "You villain!" I yelled, "You villain!" He shoved me hard in the chest, which immediately made me stop.I was very fat, and I couldn't breathe at once; this push, coupled with anger, I staggered backwards in a dazed way, feeling that I was about to suffocate to death, and my blood vessels were about to burst. The dreadful scene was over in less than two minutes.Catherine had been let go, and she was clutching her temples, as if she didn't know if her ears were still there.She shivered like a reed, and the poor little thing, leaning against the table, was terribly bewildered. "You see, I know how to punish a boy," said the rascal viciously, stooping to pick up the key which had fallen from the floor; "now, as I told you, go to Linton's, and cry your heart out! Tomorrow I'll be your father--in a few days you'll have only one father--you'll have to suffer like this--you can take it, you're not a pussy--if I see If you see this damn look in your eyes, then you have to eat it every day!" Cathy didn't go to Linton's, but ran to me and knelt down, buried her hot face in my arms, and burst into tears.Her cousin shrank into a corner of the high-backed bench, making no sound like a little mouse.I dare say he must be secretly glad that it was someone else who was punished this time, not him. Mr. Heathcliff, seeing that we were all bewildered with fright, rose, and went swiftly to make the tea himself.Teacups and trays are set.He poured out the tea and handed me a cup. "Wash your anger out!" he said. "Do me a favor and pour you and my naughty darling a cup. I made this tea, but I promise it's not poisoned. I'm going to find your horses. .” As soon as he left, our first thought was where we could make an exit.We tried the door to the test kitchen and it was bolted from the outside.Let's look at the window, it's too narrow for even someone as small as Cathy to get out. "Master Linton," I cried, seeing that we were completely imprisoned, "you know what your vicious father is going to do next, you must tell us, or I will slap you like he just slapped you. Like your cousin." "Yes, Linton, you must tell us," said Catherine, "that I have come for you, and you would be very ungrateful if you would not." "Bring me some tea, I'm thirsty, and then I'll tell you," he replied, "Go away, Mrs. Dean, I don't like you standing in front of me. Look, Catherine, you shed your tears in My teacup is gone! I don’t want to drink this cup, give me another one.” Catherine pushed him another glass and wiped her face again.I was disgusted by the nonchalant attitude of the little rascal; he had no fear of himself now, and the misery he had manifested on the moor disappeared as soon as he entered Wuthering Heights.So I imagined that he must have been threatened by his father beforehand, that if he could not lure us into the Heights, he would be punished with terrible severity.And now it's done.He no longer has to be afraid. "Father wants us to get married," he went on, after a few sips of tea, "and he knows your father won't let us get married now. But if we wait any longer, he's afraid I'll die? So we're getting married tomorrow morning, and you're going to spend the night here tonight. If you do what he says, you can go home the next day, and you can take me with you." "Take you with her, you mean idiot?" Would the pretty lady, the healthy and lively girl, chain herself to a dying little monkey like yourself? Let alone Miss Catherine Linton, do you think anyone will want you as a husband? You deserve a good flogging for bringing us here with your cowardly wailing tricks of yours—don't you play such a fool now! Treacherous meanness and idiotic daydreams, I wish I could give you a good shake." I just shook him slightly, and immediately he started coughing, moaning, crying, and the same old routine.Catherine blamed me for this. "Spending the night here? No!" she said, looking around slowly. "Ellen, I'm going to burn that door down. I'm going out anyway." She was about to begin to act on her threat, but Linton got up again in panic for the sake of his precious life.He stretched out two thin arms, hugged her tightly, and said, sobbing: "Don't you want me? Don't save me--don't let me go to the Grange? Oh, dear Catherine! Don't you go! Don't leave me. You must obey my father, you must obey! !" "I'll listen to my own father," she answered, "so as not to frighten him. All night! What's going on in his mind? He's already worried. I'm going to smash or burn a way out of this house. Get out. Be quiet! You're in no danger--but if you get in my way--Linton, I love Papa more than you!" In extreme horror at Mr. Heathcliff's outbursts, the boy resumed his cowardly eloquence.Catherine was so distraught that she was nearly mad, but she still insisted on going home.This time it was her turn to beg him, she asked him not to be so selfish, thinking only of his own pain. While they were in this tangle, our guard came in again. "Your horses have run away," said he, "and—oh, Linton! Why are you crying again?" What has she done to you?Come on, come on—enough crying, go to bed.In a month or two, my boy, you'll have a strong arm to pay back the insult she's doing you now.You are so haggard for pure love, aren't you?Never for anything else.She will want you!OK, go to sleep!Zira won't be home tonight, and you'll have to undress yourself.Hush!Be quiet!As soon as you enter your own room, I will not come near you, so you need not be afraid.You happen to do a good job this time, and I'll take care of the rest. After saying these words, he opened the door and let his son out.When the latter went out, he looked like a puppy wagging its tail and begging for mercy, afraid that the person who opened the door would do evil and pinch him. The door was locked again.Heathcliff went to the fireplace, where my lady and I stood silent.Catherine looked up at him, instinctively raising her hands to shield her face.As he approached, she felt a pain in her face again.Anyone else would have softened at such childish behavior, but he scowled at her and murmured: "Hmph, you're not afraid of me? You're pretending to be brave, but you seem terribly scared!" "I'm afraid now," she answered, "because, if I stay here, my father will be very sorry, and I can't bear to make him miserable--and in him--in him--Heath Mr Cliff, let me go home! I promise to marry Linton, and papa will please me, and I love him—why should you force me to do what I would have done?" "Look how he dares to force you!" I cried, "for there are laws in this country, thank God there are laws! Although we live in a remote place. Even if he is my son, I will sue him about it. This is a felony, and a priest cannot be pardoned for committing it!" "Shut up!" cried the wretch. "What are you talking about? Go to hell! I don't want you talking. Miss Linton, I'm so happy to think your father will be so sorry, I'll be so happy I can't sleep. You tell If something like this happens to me, then you should stay in my house twenty-four hours. As for your promise to marry Linton, I will take care to keep your word, because if it doesn't end, you can't even think about it. Get out of here." "Then send Ellen and let papa know I'm all right!" cried Catherine, weeping bitterly, "or marry now. Poor papa! Ellen, he'll think we're lost. We should what should I do?" "He won't! He'll think you're tired of serving him and gone off to play," said Heathcliff. "You can't deny that you came to my house voluntarily in violation of his prohibition." And at your age, playfulness is a natural thing, and you will get tired of serving a sick man, and that sick man is nothing but your father. Catherine, his happiest days will end when you are born I dare say he cursed you into this world (at least, I cursed). It would be fine if he cursed you when he left this world. I'll curse with him. I don't love you! How can I Can love you? Cry. I think crying will be your chief pastime henceforth, unless Linton makes up for your loss in other respects. Your prudent father seems to dream of He will make amends. I am very happy with his consoling letters. In his last letter, he wants my darling to care for his darling; It's caring and tenderness—that's fatherly love. But Linton wants to keep all the care and tenderness for himself. Linton can play a little tyrant well. If you pull the cat's teeth No matter how many cats there are, he can torture them to death. I assure you that when you come home again, you will have many touching stories of his tenderness to tell his uncle. Listen." "You're quite right!" said I. "You've made your son's character clear. He seems to be quite like you. So I hope Miss Cathy, before accepting the viper, will I will think about it twice." "I don't mind talking about his good qualities now," he replied, "because she'll either take him, or she'll be a prisoner with you till your master dies. I can lock you both up." , it’s very well hidden here. If you don’t believe it, you can ask her to take her job back, and then you’ll have a chance to judge.” "I won't take my word back," said Catherine, "if I marry him and I can go back to Thrushcross Grange, I'll marry him now. Mr. Heathcliff, you are a hard-hearted man, but you are not yet a devil." , wouldn’t it be just out of resentment that irretrievably ruined the happiness of my life? If my father mistakenly thought that I left him on purpose, if he died before I went back, how would I live? I don’t know Crying, I will kneel down for you, kneel in front of you, I will keep kneeling here without getting up, my eyes will look at your face, until you look at me too! No, don’t turn your face away! Look at me! You won't see anything to make you angry. I don't hate you, and I don't get angry when you hit me. Uncle, have you never loved anyone in your life? Never? Oh, You must look at me--I am so poor--you can't feel sorry for me, you can't help pity me!" "Get those lizard fingers off of you, and go away, or I'll kick you!" cried Heathcliff, pushing her roughly away. "I'd rather have snakes about me. Damn you! How could you think of wagging your tail at me? I hate you!" He shrugged, really shivered, as if horrified with disgust, and pushed his chair back.At this time, I stood up and opened my mouth to scold him, but I was blocked by him when I was halfway through the first sentence. He threatened that as long as I uttered another word, I would be alone Locked in a room. It was getting dark--we heard voices at the garden gate.Our master was thrown out immediately, his mind still clear, and ours in bewilderment.He talked outside for two or three minutes, and then came back alone. "I thought it was your cousin Hareton," I said to Catherine. "I wish he could! He might be on our side, who knows?" "There are three servants sent by the Grange to look for you," said Heathcliff, who had heard me; "you should have opened a window and shouted out, but I swear you didn't, the little boy The girl is happy. I believe she is very happy to stay here." We both wept aloud at the loss of such a great opportunity.He made us cry until nine o'clock, then ordered us to go upstairs through the kitchen to Zilla's room.I whispered to my companion to obey him.Perhaps we could manage to climb out of the window there, or climb into an attic and escape through its skylight. But the window in that room was as narrow as downstairs, and the ladder to the garret couldn't be found, because we were locked in the room as before. Neither of us lay down, and Catherine stood at the latticed window, anxiously awaiting morning.I persuaded her to rest for a while, but the answer I could get was only a deep sigh. I sat down on a chair, swayed slightly, and blamed myself for my repeated negligence. I felt that all the misfortunes of my master and lady were due to my negligence.Now I understand that, in fact, this is not the case.But that's what I thought on that miserable night.And I think even Heathcliff is less guilty than I am. He came at seven o'clock in the morning, and asked me if Miss Linton was up. She ran to the door at once, and answered: "Woke up." "Come out then," he said, opening the door and pulling her out. I got up to follow, but he locked the door again.I want him to let me out. "Be patient," he replied, "I'll bring you breakfast in a moment." I pounded on the door panel hard, rattling the latch angrily.Catherine asked why I was still locked up.He replied that I had another hour to endure.Then they left. I waited another two or three hours, when at last I heard footsteps, but not Heathcliff. "I've brought you food," said a voice, "open the door!" I hastened to open the door, and it was Hareton who had come, carrying a large quantity of food, enough to feed me for a day. "Here," he said again, thrusting the tray into my hand. "Wait a minute," I said. "No!" He said loudly and left, and I couldn't keep him no matter how much I begged. I was locked in that room like this, for a whole day and then a whole night, day after day, night after night, for a total of four days and five nights.Seeing no one but Hareton once every morning.And he is a model guard, with a straight face, and he doesn't say a word, for any words that want to impress his sense of justice and sympathy.He all pretended to be deaf and dumb.