CHAPTER VIII

sabellaandEdgarLintontalkedofcallingthisafternoon,”shesaid,attheconclusionofaminute’ssilence.“Asitrains,Ihardlyexpectthembuttheymaycome,andiftheydo,youruntheriskofbeingscoldedfornogood.” “OrderEllentosayyouareengaged,Cathy,”hepersisted“don’tturnmeoutforthosepitiful,sillyfriendsofyours!I’monthepoint,sometimes,ofcomplainingthatthey—butI’llnot—” “Thattheywhat?”criedCatherine,gazingathimwithatroubledcountenance.“Oh,Nelly!”sheaddedpetulantly,jerkingherheadawayfrommyhands,“you’vecombedmyhairquiteoutofcurl!That’senoughletmealone.Whatareyouonthepointofcomplainingabout,Heathcliff?” “Nothing—onlylookatthealmanackonthatwall”hepointedtoaframedsheethangingnearthewindow,andcontinued,“ThecrossesarefortheeveningsyouhavespentwiththeLintons,thedotsforthosespentwithme.Doyousee?I’vemarkedeveryday.” “Yes—veryfoolish:asifItooknotice!”repliedCatherine,inapeevishtone.“Andwhereisthesenseofthat?” “ToshowthatIdotakenotice,”saidHeathcliff. “AndshouldIalwaysbesittingwithyou?”shedemanded,growingmoreirritated.“WhatgooddoIget?Whatdoyoutalkabout?Youmightbedumb,orababy,foranythingyousaytoamuseme,orforanythingyoudo,either!” “YounevertoldmebeforethatItalkedtoolittle,orthatyoudislikedmycompany,Cathy!”exclaimedHeathcliff,inmuchagitation. “It’snocompanyatall,whenpeopleknownothingandsaynothing,”shemuttered. Hercompanionroseup,buthehadn’ttimetoexpresshisfeelingsfurther,forahorse’sfeetwereheardontheflags,andhavingknockedgently,youngLintonentered,hisfacebrilliantwithdelightattheunexpectedsummonshehadreceived.DoubtlessCatherinemarkedthedifferencebetweenherfriends,asonecameinandtheotherwentout.Thecontrastresembledwhatyouseeinexchangingableak,hilly,coalcountryforabeautifulfertilevalleyandhisvoiceandgreetingwereasoppositeashisaspect.Hehadasweet,lowmannerofspeaking,andpronouncedhiswordsasyoudo:that’slessgruffthanwetalkhere,andsofter. “I’mnotcometoosoon,amI?”hesaid,castingalookatme:Ihadbeguntowipetheplate,andtidysomedrawersatthefarendinthedresser. “No,”answeredCatherine.“Whatareyoudoingthere,Nelly?” “Mywork,Miss,”Ireplied.(Mr.HindleyhadgivenmedirectionstomakeathirdpartyinanyprivatevisitsLintonchosetopay.) Shesteppedbehindmeandwhisperedcrossly,“Takeyourselfandyourdustersoffwhencompanyareinthehouse,servantsdon’tcommencescouringandcleaningintheroomwheretheyare!” “It’sagoodopportunity,nowthatmasterisaway,”Iansweredaloud:“hehatesmetobefidgetingoverthesethingsinhispresence.I’msureMr.Edgarwillexcuseme.” “Ihateyoutobefidgetinginmypresence,”exclaimedtheyoungladyimperiously,notallowingherguesttimetospeak:shehadfailedtorecoverherequanimitysincethelittledisputewithHeathcliff. “I’msorryforit,MissCatherine,”wasmyresponseandIproceededassiduouslywithmyoccupation. She,supposingEdgarcouldnotseeher,snatchedtheclothfrommyhand,andpinchedme,withaprolongedwrench,veryspitefullyonthearm.I’vesaidIdidnotloveher,andratherrelishedmortifyinghervanitynowandthen:besides,shehurtmeextremelysoIstartedupfrommyknees,andscreamedout,“Oh,Miss,that’sanastytrick!Youhavenorighttonipme,andI’mnotgoingtobearit.” “Ididn’ttouchyou,youlyingcreature!”criedshe,herfingerstinglingtorepeattheact,andherearsredwithrage.Sheneverhadpowertoconcealherpassi