CHAPTER XXVI

gitation.HeglancedfearfullytowardstheHeights,beggingshewouldremainanotherhalf-hour,atleast. “ButIthink,”saidCathy,“you’dbemorecomfortableathomethansittinghereandIcannotamuseyouto-day,Isee,bymytales,andsongs,andchatter:youhavegrownwiserthanI,inthesesixmonthsyouhavelittletasteformydiversionsnow:orelse,ifIcouldamuseyou,I’dwillinglystay.” “Staytorestyourself,”hereplied.“And,Catherine,don’tthinkorsaythatI’mveryunwell:itistheheavyweatherandheatthatmakemedullandIwalkedabout,beforeyoucame,agreatdealforme.TelluncleI’mintolerablehealth,willyou?” “I’lltellhimthatyousayso,Linton.Icouldn’taffirmthatyouare,”observedmyyounglady,wonderingathispertinaciousassertionofwhatwasevidentlyanuntruth. “AndbehereagainnextThursday,”continuedhe,shunningherpuzzledgaze.“Andgivehimmythanksforpermittingyoutocome—mybestthanks,Catherine.And—and,ifyoudidmeetmyfather,andheaskedyouaboutme,don’tleadhimtosupposethatI’vebeenextremelysilentandstupid:don’tlooksadanddowncast,asyouaredoing—he’llbeangry.” “Icarenothingforhisanger,”exclaimedCathy,imaginingshewouldbeitsobject. “ButIdo,”saidhercousin,shuddering.“Don’tprovokehimagainstme,Catherine,forheisveryhard.” “Isheseveretoyou,MasterHeathcliff?”Iinquired.“Hashegrownwearyofindulgence,andpassedfrompassivetoactivehatred?” Lintonlookedatme,butdidnotanswerand,afterkeepingherseatbyhissideanothertenminutes,duringwhichhisheadfelldrowsilyonhisbr