{"id":49,"date":"2021-06-11T09:10:03","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T13:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/wutheringheights\/chapter\/the-project-gutenberg-ebook-of-wuthering-heights-by-emily-bronte-25\/"},"modified":"2022-01-31T09:20:13","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T14:20:13","slug":"26","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/chapter\/26\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter XXVI","rendered":"Chapter XXVI"},"content":{"raw":"Summer was already past its prime, when Edgar reluctantly yielded his assent to their entreaties, and Catherine and I set out on our first ride to join her cousin. It was a close, sultry day: devoid of sunshine, but with a sky too dappled and hazy to threaten rain: and our place of meeting had been fixed at the guide-stone, by the cross-roads. On arriving there, however, a little herd-boy, despatched as a messenger, told us that,\u2014\u201cMaister Linton wer just o\u2019 this side th\u2019 Heights: and he\u2019d be mitch obleeged to us to gang on a bit further.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cThen Master Linton has forgot the first injunction of his uncle,\u201d I observed: \u201che bid us keep on the Grange land, and here we are off at once.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cWell, we\u2019ll turn our horses\u2019 heads round when we reach him,\u201d answered my companion; \u201cour excursion shall lie towards home.\u201d\r\n\r\nBut when we reached him, and that was scarcely a quarter of a mile from his own door, we found he had no horse; and we were forced to dismount, and leave ours to graze. He lay on the heath, awaiting our approach, and did not rise till we came within a few yards. Then he walked so feebly, and looked so pale, that I immediately exclaimed,\u2014\u201cWhy, Master Heathcliff, you are not fit for enjoying a ramble this morning. How ill you do look!\u201d\r\n\r\nCatherine surveyed him with grief and astonishment: she changed the ejaculation of joy on her lips to one of alarm; and the congratulation on their long-postponed meeting to an anxious inquiry, whether he were worse than usual?\r\n\r\n\u201cNo\u2014better\u2014better!\u201d he panted, trembling, and retaining her hand as if he needed its support, while his large blue eyes wandered timidly over her; the hollowness round them transforming to haggard wildness the languid expression they once possessed.\r\n\r\n\u201cBut you have been worse,\u201d persisted his cousin; \u201cworse than when I saw you last; you are thinner, and\u2014\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019m tired,\u201d he interrupted, hurriedly. \u201cIt is too hot for walking, let us rest here. And, in the morning, I often feel sick\u2014papa says I grow so fast.\u201d\r\n\r\nBadly satisfied, Cathy sat down, and he reclined beside her.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is something like your paradise,\u201d said she, making an effort at cheerfulness. \u201cYou recollect the two days we agreed to spend in the place and way each thought pleasantest? This is nearly yours, only there are clouds; but then they are so soft and mellow: it is nicer than sunshine. Next week, if you can, we\u2019ll ride down to the Grange Park, and try mine.\u201d\r\n\r\nLinton did not appear to remember what she talked of and he had evidently great difficulty in sustaining any kind of conversation. His lack of interest in the subjects she started, and his equal incapacity to contribute to her entertainment, were so obvious that she could not conceal her disappointment. An indefinite alteration had come over his whole person and manner. The pettishness that might be caressed into fondness, had yielded to a listless apathy; there was less of the peevish temper of a child which frets and teases on purpose to be soothed, and more of the self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid, repelling consolation, and ready to regard the good-humoured mirth of others as an insult. Catherine perceived, as well as I did, that he held it rather a punishment, than a gratification, to endure our company; and she made no scruple of proposing, presently, to depart. That proposal, unexpectedly, roused Linton from his lethargy, and threw him into a strange state of agitation. He glanced fearfully towards the Heights, begging she would remain another half-hour, at least.\r\n\r\n\u201cBut I think,\u201d said Cathy, \u201cyou\u2019d be more comfortable at home than sitting here; and I cannot amuse you to-day, I see, by my tales, and songs, and chatter: you have grown wiser than I, in these six months; you have little taste for my diversions now: or else, if I could amuse you, I\u2019d willingly stay.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cStay to rest yourself,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd, Catherine, don\u2019t think or say that I\u2019m very<\/i> unwell: it is the heavy weather and heat that make me dull; and I walked about, before you came, a great deal for me. Tell uncle I\u2019m in tolerable health, will you?\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019ll tell him that you<\/i> say so, Linton. I couldn\u2019t affirm that you are,\u201d observed my young lady, wondering at his pertinacious assertion of what was evidently an untruth.\r\n\r\n\u201cAnd be here again next Thursday,\u201d continued he, shunning her puzzled gaze. \u201cAnd give him my thanks for permitting you to come\u2014my best thanks, Catherine. And\u2014and, if you did<\/i> meet my father, and he asked you about me, don\u2019t lead him to suppose that I\u2019ve been extremely silent and stupid: don\u2019t look sad and downcast, as you are doing\u2014he\u2019ll be angry.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI care nothing for his anger,\u201d exclaimed Cathy, imagining she would be its object.\r\n\r\n\u201cBut I do,\u201d said her cousin, shuddering. \u201cDon\u2019t<\/i> provoke him against me, Catherine, for he is very hard.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cIs he severe to you, Master Heathcliff?\u201d I inquired. \u201cHas he grown weary of indulgence, and passed from passive to active hatred?\u201d\r\n\r\nLinton looked at me, but did not answer; and, after keeping her seat by his side another ten minutes, during which his head fell drowsily on his breast, and he uttered nothing except suppressed moans of exhaustion or pain, Cathy began to seek solace in looking for bilberries, and sharing the produce of her researches with me: she did not offer them to him, for she saw further notice would only weary and annoy.\r\n\r\n\u201cIs it half-an-hour now, Ellen?\u201d she whispered in my ear, at last. \u201cI can\u2019t tell why we should stay. He\u2019s asleep, and papa will be wanting us back.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cWell, we must not leave him asleep,\u201d I answered; \u201cwait till he wakes, and be patient. You were mighty eager to set off, but your longing to see poor Linton has soon evaporated!\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cWhy did he<\/i> wish to see me?\u201d returned Catherine. \u201cIn his crossest humours, formerly, I liked him better than I do in his present curious mood. It\u2019s just as if it were a task he was compelled to perform\u2014this interview\u2014for fear his father should scold him. But I\u2019m hardly going to come to give Mr. Heathcliff pleasure; whatever reason he may have for ordering Linton to undergo this penance. And, though I\u2019m glad he\u2019s better in health, I\u2019m sorry he\u2019s so much less pleasant, and so much less affectionate to me.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cYou think he is<\/i> better in health, then?\u201d I said.\r\n\r\n\u201cYes,\u201d she answered; \u201cbecause he always made such a great deal of his sufferings, you know. He is not tolerably well, as he told me to tell papa; but he\u2019s better, very likely.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cThere you differ with me, Miss Cathy,\u201d I remarked; \u201cI should conjecture him to be far worse.\u201d\r\n\r\nLinton here started from his slumber in bewildered terror, and asked if any one had called his name.\r\n\r\n\u201cNo,\u201d said Catherine; \u201cunless in dreams. I cannot conceive how you manage to doze out of doors, in the morning.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI thought I heard my father,\u201d he gasped, glancing up to the frowning nab above us. \u201cYou are sure nobody spoke?\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cQuite sure,\u201d replied his cousin. \u201cOnly Ellen and I were disputing concerning your health. Are you truly stronger, Linton, than when we separated in winter? If you be, I\u2019m certain one thing is not stronger\u2014your regard for me: speak,\u2014are you?\u201d\r\n\r\nThe tears gushed from Linton\u2019s eyes as he answered, \u201cYes, yes, I am!\u201d And, still under the spell of the imaginary voice, his gaze wandered up and down to detect its owner.\r\n\r\nCathy rose. \u201cFor to-day we must part,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t conceal that I have been sadly disappointed with our meeting; though I\u2019ll mention it to nobody but you: not that I stand in awe of Mr. Heathcliff.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cHush,\u201d murmured Linton; \u201cfor God\u2019s sake, hush! He\u2019s coming.\u201d And he clung to Catherine\u2019s arm, striving to detain her; but at that announcement she hastily disengaged herself, and whistled to Minny, who obeyed her like a dog.\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019ll be here next Thursday,\u201d she cried, springing to the saddle. \u201cGood-bye. Quick, Ellen!\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd so we left him, scarcely conscious of our departure, so absorbed was he in anticipating his father\u2019s approach.\r\n\r\nBefore we reached home, Catherine\u2019s displeasure softened into a perplexed sensation of pity and regret, largely blended with vague, uneasy doubts about Linton\u2019s actual circumstances, physical and social: in which I partook, though I counselled her not to say much; for a second journey would make us better judges. My master requested an account of our ongoings. His nephew\u2019s offering of thanks was duly delivered, Miss Cathy gently touching on the rest: I also threw little light on his inquiries, for I hardly knew what to hide and what to reveal.","rendered":"

Summer was already past its prime, when Edgar reluctantly yielded his assent to their entreaties, and Catherine and I set out on our first ride to join her cousin. It was a close, sultry day: devoid of sunshine, but with a sky too dappled and hazy to threaten rain: and our place of meeting had been fixed at the guide-stone, by the cross-roads. On arriving there, however, a little herd-boy, despatched as a messenger, told us that,\u2014\u201cMaister Linton wer just o\u2019 this side th\u2019 Heights: and he\u2019d be mitch obleeged to us to gang on a bit further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Master Linton has forgot the first injunction of his uncle,\u201d I observed: \u201che bid us keep on the Grange land, and here we are off at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll turn our horses\u2019 heads round when we reach him,\u201d answered my companion; \u201cour excursion shall lie towards home.\u201d<\/p>\n

But when we reached him, and that was scarcely a quarter of a mile from his own door, we found he had no horse; and we were forced to dismount, and leave ours to graze. He lay on the heath, awaiting our approach, and did not rise till we came within a few yards. Then he walked so feebly, and looked so pale, that I immediately exclaimed,\u2014\u201cWhy, Master Heathcliff, you are not fit for enjoying a ramble this morning. How ill you do look!\u201d<\/p>\n

Catherine surveyed him with grief and astonishment: she changed the ejaculation of joy on her lips to one of alarm; and the congratulation on their long-postponed meeting to an anxious inquiry, whether he were worse than usual?<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014better\u2014better!\u201d he panted, trembling, and retaining her hand as if he needed its support, while his large blue eyes wandered timidly over her; the hollowness round them transforming to haggard wildness the languid expression they once possessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have been worse,\u201d persisted his cousin; \u201cworse than when I saw you last; you are thinner, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tired,\u201d he interrupted, hurriedly. \u201cIt is too hot for walking, let us rest here. And, in the morning, I often feel sick\u2014papa says I grow so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Badly satisfied, Cathy sat down, and he reclined beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something like your paradise,\u201d said she, making an effort at cheerfulness. \u201cYou recollect the two days we agreed to spend in the place and way each thought pleasantest? This is nearly yours, only there are clouds; but then they are so soft and mellow: it is nicer than sunshine. Next week, if you can, we\u2019ll ride down to the Grange Park, and try mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Linton did not appear to remember what she talked of and he had evidently great difficulty in sustaining any kind of conversation. His lack of interest in the subjects she started, and his equal incapacity to contribute to her entertainment, were so obvious that she could not conceal her disappointment. An indefinite alteration had come over his whole person and manner. The pettishness that might be caressed into fondness, had yielded to a listless apathy; there was less of the peevish temper of a child which frets and teases on purpose to be soothed, and more of the self-absorbed moroseness of a confirmed invalid, repelling consolation, and ready to regard the good-humoured mirth of others as an insult. Catherine perceived, as well as I did, that he held it rather a punishment, than a gratification, to endure our company; and she made no scruple of proposing, presently, to depart. That proposal, unexpectedly, roused Linton from his lethargy, and threw him into a strange state of agitation. He glanced fearfully towards the Heights, begging she would remain another half-hour, at least.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think,\u201d said Cathy, \u201cyou\u2019d be more comfortable at home than sitting here; and I cannot amuse you to-day, I see, by my tales, and songs, and chatter: you have grown wiser than I, in these six months; you have little taste for my diversions now: or else, if I could amuse you, I\u2019d willingly stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay to rest yourself,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd, Catherine, don\u2019t think or say that I\u2019m very<\/i> unwell: it is the heavy weather and heat that make me dull; and I walked about, before you came, a great deal for me. Tell uncle I\u2019m in tolerable health, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell him that you<\/i> say so, Linton. I couldn\u2019t affirm that you are,\u201d observed my young lady, wondering at his pertinacious assertion of what was evidently an untruth.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd be here again next Thursday,\u201d continued he, shunning her puzzled gaze. \u201cAnd give him my thanks for permitting you to come\u2014my best thanks, Catherine. And\u2014and, if you did<\/i> meet my father, and he asked you about me, don\u2019t lead him to suppose that I\u2019ve been extremely silent and stupid: don\u2019t look sad and downcast, as you are doing\u2014he\u2019ll be angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI care nothing for his anger,\u201d exclaimed Cathy, imagining she would be its object.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I do,\u201d said her cousin, shuddering. \u201cDon\u2019t<\/i> provoke him against me, Catherine, for he is very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he severe to you, Master Heathcliff?\u201d I inquired. \u201cHas he grown weary of indulgence, and passed from passive to active hatred?\u201d<\/p>\n

Linton looked at me, but did not answer; and, after keeping her seat by his side another ten minutes, during which his head fell drowsily on his breast, and he uttered nothing except suppressed moans of exhaustion or pain, Cathy began to seek solace in looking for bilberries, and sharing the produce of her researches with me: she did not offer them to him, for she saw further notice would only weary and annoy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it half-an-hour now, Ellen?\u201d she whispered in my ear, at last. \u201cI can\u2019t tell why we should stay. He\u2019s asleep, and papa will be wanting us back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we must not leave him asleep,\u201d I answered; \u201cwait till he wakes, and be patient. You were mighty eager to set off, but your longing to see poor Linton has soon evaporated!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he<\/i> wish to see me?\u201d returned Catherine. \u201cIn his crossest humours, formerly, I liked him better than I do in his present curious mood. It\u2019s just as if it were a task he was compelled to perform\u2014this interview\u2014for fear his father should scold him. But I\u2019m hardly going to come to give Mr. Heathcliff pleasure; whatever reason he may have for ordering Linton to undergo this penance. And, though I\u2019m glad he\u2019s better in health, I\u2019m sorry he\u2019s so much less pleasant, and so much less affectionate to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he is<\/i> better in health, then?\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she answered; \u201cbecause he always made such a great deal of his sufferings, you know. He is not tolerably well, as he told me to tell papa; but he\u2019s better, very likely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you differ with me, Miss Cathy,\u201d I remarked; \u201cI should conjecture him to be far worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Linton here started from his slumber in bewildered terror, and asked if any one had called his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Catherine; \u201cunless in dreams. I cannot conceive how you manage to doze out of doors, in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I heard my father,\u201d he gasped, glancing up to the frowning nab above us. \u201cYou are sure nobody spoke?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite sure,\u201d replied his cousin. \u201cOnly Ellen and I were disputing concerning your health. Are you truly stronger, Linton, than when we separated in winter? If you be, I\u2019m certain one thing is not stronger\u2014your regard for me: speak,\u2014are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tears gushed from Linton\u2019s eyes as he answered, \u201cYes, yes, I am!\u201d And, still under the spell of the imaginary voice, his gaze wandered up and down to detect its owner.<\/p>\n

Cathy rose. \u201cFor to-day we must part,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t conceal that I have been sadly disappointed with our meeting; though I\u2019ll mention it to nobody but you: not that I stand in awe of Mr. Heathcliff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush,\u201d murmured Linton; \u201cfor God\u2019s sake, hush! He\u2019s coming.\u201d And he clung to Catherine\u2019s arm, striving to detain her; but at that announcement she hastily disengaged herself, and whistled to Minny, who obeyed her like a dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be here next Thursday,\u201d she cried, springing to the saddle. \u201cGood-bye. Quick, Ellen!\u201d<\/p>\n

And so we left him, scarcely conscious of our departure, so absorbed was he in anticipating his father\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

Before we reached home, Catherine\u2019s displeasure softened into a perplexed sensation of pity and regret, largely blended with vague, uneasy doubts about Linton\u2019s actual circumstances, physical and social: in which I partook, though I counselled her not to say much; for a second journey would make us better judges. My master requested an account of our ongoings. His nephew\u2019s offering of thanks was duly delivered, Miss Cathy gently touching on the rest: I also threw little light on his inquiries, for I hardly knew what to hide and what to reveal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"menu_order":26,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-49","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/revisions\/176"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=49"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=49"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/wutheringheights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}