CHAPTER XX
To obviate1 the danger of this threat being fulfilled, Mr. Linton commissioned me to take the boy home early, on Catherine’s pony2; and, said he—“As we shall now have no influence over his destiny, good or bad, you must say nothing of where he is gone to my daughter: she cannot associate with him hereafter, and it is better for her to remain in ignorance of his proximity3; lest she should be restless, and anxious to visit the Heights. Merely tell her his father sent for him suddenly, and he has been obliged to leave us.”
Linton was very reluctant to be roused from his bed at five o’clock, and astonished to be informed that he must prepare for further travelling; but I softened4 off the matter by stating that he was going to spend some time with his father, Mr. Heathcliff, who wished to see him so much, he did not like to defer5 the pleasure till he should recover from his late journey.
“My father!” he cried, in strange perplexity. “Mamma never told me I had a father. Where does he live? I’d rather stay with uncle.”
“He lives a little distance from the Grange,” I replied; “just beyond those hills: not so far, but you may walk over here when you get hearty6. And you should be glad to go home, and to see him. You must try to love him, as you did your mother, and then he will love you.”
“But why have I not heard of him before?” asked Linton. “Why didn’t mamma and he live together, as other people do?”
“He had business to keep him in the north,” I answered, “and your mother’s health required her to reside in the south.”
“And why didn’t mamma speak to me about him?” persevered7 the child. “She often talked of uncle, and I learnt to love him long ago. How am I to love papa? I don’t know him.”
“Oh, all children love their parents,” I said. “Your mother, perhaps, thought you would want to be with him if she mentioned him often to you. Let us make haste. An early ride on such a beautiful morning is much preferable to an hour’s more sleep.”
“Is she to go with us,” he demanded, “the little girl I saw yesterday?”
“Not now,” replied I.
“Is uncle?” he continued.
“No, I shall be your companion there,” I said.
Linton sank back on his pillow and fell into a brown study.
“I won’t go without uncle,” he cried at length: “I can’t tell where you mean to take me.”
I attempted to persuade him of the naughtiness of showing reluctance9 to meet his father; still he obstinately10 resisted any progress towards dressing11, and I had to call for my master’s assistance in coaxing12 him out of bed. The poor thing was finally got off, with several delusive13 assurances that his absence should be short: that Mr. Edgar and Cathy would visit him, and other promises, equally ill-founded, which I invented and reiterated14 at intervals15 throughout the way. The pure heather-scented air, the bright sunshine, and the gentle canter of Minny, relieved his despondency after a while. He began to put questions concerning his new home, and its inhabitants, with greater interest and liveliness.
“Is Wuthering Heights as pleasant a place as Thrushcross Grange?” he inquired, turning to take a last glance into the valley, whence a light mist mounted and formed a fleecy cloud on the skirts of the blue.
“It is not so buried in trees,” I replied, “and it is not quite so large, but you can see the country beautifully all round; and the air is healthier for you—fresher and drier. You will, perhaps, think the building old and dark at first; though it is a respectable house: the next best in the neighbourhood. And you will have such nice rambles16 on the moors17. Hareton Earnshaw—that is, Miss Cathy’s other cousin, and so yours in a manner—will show you all the sweetest spots; and you can bring a book in fine weather, and make a green hollow your study; and, now and then, your uncle may join you in a walk: he does, frequently, walk out on the hills.”
“And what is my father like?” he asked. “Is he as young and handsome as uncle?”
“He’s as young,” said I; “but he has black hair and eyes, and looks sterner; and he is taller and bigger altogether. He’ll not seem to you so gentle and kind at first, perhaps, because it is not his way: still, mind you, be frank and cordial with him; and naturally he’ll be fonder of you than any uncle, for you are his own.”
“Black hair and eyes!” mused18 Linton. “I can’t fancy him. Then I am not like him, am I?”
“Not much,” I answered: not a morsel19, I thought, surveying with regret the white complexion20 and slim frame of my companion, and his large languid eyes—his mother’s eyes, save that, unless a morbid21 touchiness22 kindled23 them a moment, they had not a vestige24 of her sparkling spirit.
“How strange that he should never come to see mamma and me!” he murmured. “Has he ever seen me? If he has, I must have been a baby. I remember not a single thing about him!”
“Why, Master Linton,” said I, “three hundred miles is a great distance; and ten years seem very different in length to a grown-up person compared with what they do to you. It is probable Mr. Heathcliff proposed going from summer to summer, but never found a convenient opportunity; and now it is too late. Don’t trouble him with questions on the subject: it will disturb him, for no good.”
The boy was fully occupied with his own cogitations for the remainder of the ride, till we halted before the farmhouse25 garden-gate. I watched to catch his impressions in his countenance26. He surveyed the carved front and low-browed lattices, the straggling gooseberry-bushes and crooked27 firs, with solemn intentness, and then shook his head: his private feelings entirely28 disapproved29 of the exterior30 of his new abode31. But he had sense to postpone32 complaining: there might be compensation within. Before he dismounted, I went and opened the door. It was half-past six; the family had just finished breakfast: the servant was clearing and wiping down the table. Joseph stood by his master’s chair telling some tale concerning a lame33 horse; and Hareton was preparing for the hayfield.
“Hallo, Nelly!” said Mr. Heathcliff, when he saw me. “I feared I should have to come down and fetch my property myself. You’ve brought it, have you? Let us see what we can make of it.”
He got up and strode to the door: Hareton and Joseph followed in gaping34 curiosity. Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the faces of the three.
“Sure-ly,” said Joseph after a grave inspection35, “he’s swopped wi’ ye, Maister, an’ yon’s his lass!”
Heathcliff, having stared his son into an ague of confusion, uttered a scornful laugh.
“God! what a beauty! what a lovely, charming thing!” he exclaimed. “Hav’n’t they reared it on snails36 and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul! but that’s worse than I expected—and the devil knows I was not sanguine39!”
I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down, and enter. He did not thoroughly40 comprehend the meaning of his father’s speech, or whether it were intended for him: indeed, he was not yet certain that the grim, sneering41 stranger was his father. But he clung to me with growing trepidation42; and on Mr. Heathcliff’s taking a seat and bidding him “come hither” he hid his face on my shoulder and wept.
“Tut, tut!” said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly between his knees, and then holding up his head by the chin. “None of that nonsense! We’re not going to hurt thee, Linton—isn’t that thy name? Thou art thy mother’s child, entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?”
He took off the boy’s cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls, felt his slender arms and his small fingers; during which examination Linton ceased crying, and lifted his great blue eyes to inspect the inspector44.
“Do you know me?” asked Heathcliff, having satisfied himself that the limbs were all equally frail45 and feeble.
“No,” said Linton, with a gaze of vacant fear.
“You’ve heard of me, I daresay?”
“No,” he replied again.
“No! What a shame of your mother, never to waken your filial regard for me! You are my son, then, I’ll tell you; and your mother was a wicked slut to leave you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed46. Now, don’t wince47, and colour up! Though it is something to see you have not white blood. Be a good lad; and I’ll do for you. Nelly, if you be tired you may sit down; if not, get home again. I guess you’ll report what you hear and see to the cipher48 at the Grange; and this thing won’t be settled while you linger about it.”
“Well,” replied I, “I hope you’ll be kind to the boy, Mr. Heathcliff, or you’ll not keep him long; and he’s all you have akin43 in the wide world, that you will ever know—remember.”
“I’ll be very kind to him, you needn’t fear,” he said, laughing. “Only nobody else must be kind to him: I’m jealous of monopolising his affection. And, to begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the lad some breakfast. Hareton, you infernal calf49, begone to your work. Yes, Nell,” he added, when they had departed, “my son is prospective50 owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he’s mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates; my child hiring their children to till their fathers’ lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make me endure the whelp: I despise him for himself, and hate him for the memories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he’s as safe with me, and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his own. I have a room upstairs, furnished for him in handsome style; I’ve engaged a tutor, also, to come three times a week, from twenty miles’ distance, to teach him what he pleases to learn. I’ve ordered Hareton to obey him: and in fact I’ve arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him, above his associates. I do regret, however, that he so little deserves the trouble: if I wished any blessing51 in the world, it was to find him a worthy52 object of pride; and I’m bitterly disappointed with the whey-faced, whining53 wretch54!”
While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk-porridge, and placed it before Linton: who stirred round the homely55 mess with a look of aversion, and affirmed he could not eat it. I saw the old man-servant shared largely in his master’s scorn of the child; though he was compelled to retain the sentiment in his heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to hold him in honour.
“Cannot ate it?” repeated he, peering in Linton’s face, and subduing56 his voice to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. “But Maister Hareton nivir ate naught8 else, when he wer a little ’un; and what wer gooid eneugh for him’s gooid eneugh for ye, I’s rayther think!”
“I sha’n’t eat it!” answered Linton, snappishly. “Take it away.”
Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us.
“Is there aught ails38 th’ victuals57?” he asked, thrusting the tray under Heathcliff’s nose.
“What should ail37 them?” he said.
“Wah!” answered Joseph, “yon dainty chap says he cannut ate ’em. But I guess it’s raight! His mother wer just soa—we wer a’most too mucky to sow t’ corn for makking her breead.”
“Don’t mention his mother to me,” said the master, angrily. “Get him something that he can eat, that’s all. What is his usual food, Nelly?”
I suggested boiled milk or tea; and the housekeeper58 received instructions to prepare some. Come, I reflected, his father’s selfishness may contribute to his comfort. He perceives his delicate constitution, and the necessity of treating him tolerably. I’ll console Mr. Edgar by acquainting him with the turn Heathcliff’s humour has taken. Having no excuse for lingering longer, I slipped out, while Linton was engaged in timidly rebuffing the advances of a friendly sheep-dog. But he was too much on the alert to be cheated: as I closed the door, I heard a cry, and a frantic59 repetition of the words—
“Don’t leave me! I’ll not stay here! I’ll not stay here!”
Then the latch60 was raised and fell: they did not suffer him to come forth61. I mounted Minny, and urged her to a trot62; and so my brief guardianship63 ended.
1 obviate [ˈɒbvieɪt] 第10级 | |
vt.除去,排除,避免,预防 | |
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2 pony [ˈpəʊni] 第8级 | |
adj.小型的;n.小马 | |
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3 proximity [prɒkˈsɪməti] 第9级 | |
n.接近,邻近 | |
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4 softened ['sɒfənd] 第7级 | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
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5 defer [dɪˈfɜ:(r)] 第7级 | |
vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从 | |
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6 hearty [ˈhɑ:ti] 第7级 | |
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
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7 persevered [ˌpə:siˈviəd] 第7级 | |
v.坚忍,坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8 naught [nɔ:t] 第9级 | |
n.无,零 [=nought] | |
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9 reluctance [rɪ'lʌktəns] 第7级 | |
n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿 | |
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10 obstinately ['ɔbstinitli] 第9级 | |
ad.固执地,顽固地 | |
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11 dressing [ˈdresɪŋ] 第7级 | |
n.(食物)调料;包扎伤口的用品,敷料 | |
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12 coaxing [ˈkəʊksɪŋ] 第8级 | |
v.哄,用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 );巧言骗取;哄劝,劝诱;“锻炼”效应 | |
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13 delusive [dɪˈlu:sɪv] 第11级 | |
adj.欺骗的,妄想的 | |
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14 reiterated [ri:'ɪtəreɪt] 第9级 | |
反复地说,重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15 intervals ['ɪntevl] 第7级 | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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16 rambles [ˈræmbəlz] 第9级 | |
(无目的地)漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 ); (喻)漫谈; 扯淡; 长篇大论 | |
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17 moors [mʊəz] 第9级 | |
v.停泊,系泊(船只)( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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18 mused [m'ju:zd] 第8级 | |
v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事) | |
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19 morsel [ˈmɔ:sl] 第11级 | |
n.一口,一点点 | |
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20 complexion [kəmˈplekʃn] 第8级 | |
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格 | |
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21 morbid [ˈmɔ:bɪd] 第8级 | |
adj.病的;致病的;病态的;可怕的 | |
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22 touchiness ['tʌtʃɪnəs] 第10级 | |
n.易动气,过分敏感 | |
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23 kindled [ˈkɪndld] 第9级 | |
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光 | |
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24 vestige [ˈvestɪdʒ] 第10级 | |
n.痕迹,遗迹,残余 | |
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25 farmhouse [ˈfɑ:mhaʊs] 第8级 | |
n.农场住宅(尤指主要住房) | |
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26 countenance [ˈkaʊntənəns] 第9级 | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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27 crooked [ˈkrʊkɪd] 第7级 | |
adj.弯曲的;不诚实的,狡猾的,不正当的;v.弯成钩形(crook的过去式和过去分词) | |
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28 entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli] 第9级 | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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29 disapproved [ˌdɪsəˈpru:vd] 第8级 | |
v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30 exterior [ɪkˈstɪəriə(r)] 第7级 | |
adj.外部的,外在的;表面的 | |
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31 abode [əˈbəʊd] 第10级 | |
n.住处,住所 | |
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32 postpone [pəˈspəʊn] 第7级 | |
vi.延期,推迟;vt.使…延期;把…放在次要地位;把…放在后面 | |
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33 lame [leɪm] 第7级 | |
adj.跛的,(辩解、论据等)无说服力的;vi.变跛;vt.使跛;使成残废 | |
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34 gaping ['gæpɪŋ] 第8级 | |
adj.口的;张口的;敞口的;多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 );张开,张大 | |
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35 inspection [ɪnˈspekʃn] 第8级 | |
n.检查,审查,检阅 | |
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36 snails [sneɪls] 第8级 | |
n.蜗牛;迟钝的人;蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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37 ail [eɪl] 第11级 | |
vi.生病,折磨,苦恼;vt.使苦恼,使烦恼;n.病痛,苦恼 | |
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38 ails [eɪlz] 第11级 | |
v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 );感到不舒服;处境困难;境况不佳 | |
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39 sanguine [ˈsæŋgwɪn] 第9级 | |
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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40 thoroughly [ˈθʌrəli] 第8级 | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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41 sneering ['snɪrɪŋ] 第7级 | |
嘲笑的,轻蔑的 | |
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42 trepidation [ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃn] 第11级 | |
n.惊恐,惶恐 | |
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43 akin [əˈkɪn] 第11级 | |
adj.同族的,类似的 | |
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44 inspector [ɪnˈspektə(r)] 第7级 | |
n.检查员,监察员,视察员 | |
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45 frail [freɪl] 第7级 | |
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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46 possessed [pəˈzest] 第12级 | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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47 wince [wɪns] 第10级 | |
n.畏缩,退避,(因痛苦,苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动;v.畏缩,退缩,退避 | |
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48 cipher ['saɪfə(r)] 第10级 | |
n.零;无影响力的人;密码 | |
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49 calf [kɑ:f] 第8级 | |
n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮 | |
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50 prospective [prəˈspektɪv] 第8级 | |
adj.预期的,未来的,前瞻性的 | |
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51 blessing [ˈblesɪŋ] 第7级 | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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52 worthy [ˈwɜ:ði] 第7级 | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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53 whining [hwaɪnɪŋ] 第11级 | |
n. 抱怨,牢骚 v. 哭诉,发牢骚 | |
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54 wretch [retʃ] 第12级 | |
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人 | |
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55 homely [ˈhəʊmli] 第9级 | |
adj.家常的,简朴的;不漂亮的 | |
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56 subduing [səbˈdju:ɪŋ] 第7级 | |
征服( subdue的现在分词 ); 克制; 制服; 色变暗 | |
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57 victuals [ˈvɪtlz] 第12级 | |
n.食物;食品 | |
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58 housekeeper [ˈhaʊski:pə(r)] 第8级 | |
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家 | |
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59 frantic [ˈfræntɪk] 第8级 | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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60 latch [lætʃ] 第10级 | |
n.门闩,窗闩;弹簧锁 | |
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61 forth [fɔ:θ] 第7级 | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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62 trot [trɒt] 第9级 | |
n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧 | |
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63 guardianship [ˈgɑ:diənʃɪp] 第7级 | |
n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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