第12章

What vain weather-cocks we are! I, who had determined to hold myself independent of all social intercourse, and thanked my stars that, at length, I had lighted on a spot where it was next to impracticable--I, weak wretch, after maintaining till dusk a struggle with low spirits and solitude, was finally compelled to strike my colours; and, under pretence of gaining information concerning the necessities of my establishment, I desired Mrs Dean, when she brought in supper, to sit down while I ate it; hoping sincerely she would prove a regular gossip, and either rouse me to animation or lull me to sleep by her talk.

`You have lived here a considerable time,' I commenced; `did you not say sixteen years?'

`Eighteen, sir: I came, when the mistress was married, to wait on her; after she died, the master retained me for his housekeeper.'

`Indeed.'

There ensued a pause.She was not a gossip, I feared; unless about her own affairs, and those could hardly interest me.However, having studied for an interval, with a fist on either knee, and a cloud of meditation over her ruddy countenance, she ejaculated:

`Ah, times are greatly changed since then!'

`Yes,' I remarked, `you've seen a good many alterations, I suppose?'

`I have: and troubles too,' she said.

`Oh, I'll turn the talk on my landlord's family!' I thought to myself.`A good subject to start--and that pretty girl-widow, I should like to know her history: whether she be a native of the country, or, as is more probable, an exotic that the surly indigenae will not recognize for kin.' With this intention I asked Mrs Dean why Heathcliff let Thrushcross Grange, and preferred living in a situation and residence so much inferior.

`Is he not rich enough to keep the estate in good order?' I inquired.

`Rich, sir!' she returned.`He has, nobody knows what money, and every year it increases.Yes, yes, he's rich enough to live in a finer house than this: but he's very near--close-handed; and, if he had meant to flit to Thrushcross Grange, as soon as he heard of a good tenant he could not have borne to miss the chance of getting a few hundreds more.

It is strange people should be so greedy, when they are alone in the world!'

`He had a son, it seems?'

`Yes, he had one--he is dead.'

`And, that young lady, Mrs Heathcliff, is his widow?'

`Yes.

`Where did she come from originally?'

`Why, sir, she is my late master's daughter: Catherine Linton was her maiden name.I nursed her, poor thing! I did wish Mr Heathcliff would remove here, and then we might have been together again.'

`What! Catherine Linton?' I exclaimed, astonished.But a minute's reflection convinced me it was not my ghostly Catherine.

`Then,' I continued, `my predecessor's name was Linton?'

`It was.

`And who is that Earnshaw, Hareton Earnshaw, who lives with Mr Heathcliff? are they relations?'

`No; he is the late Mrs Linton's nephew.'

`The young lady's cousin, then?'

`Yes; and her husband was her cousin also: one on the mother's, the other on the father's side: Heathcliff married Mr Linton's sister.'

`I see the house at Wuthering Heights has "Earnshaw" carved over the front door.Are they an old family?'

`Very old, sir; and Hareton is the last of them, as our Miss Cathy is of us--I mean of the Lintons.Have you been to Wuthering Heights? Ibeg pardon for asking; but I should like to hear how she is!'

`Mrs Heathcliff? She looked very well, and very handsome; yet, I think, not very happy.'

`Oh dear, I don't wonder! And how did you like the master?' `Arough fellow, rather, Mrs Dean.Is not that his character?'

`Rough as a saw edge, and hard as whinstone! The less you meddle with him the better.'

`He must have had some ups and downs in life to make him such a churl.Do you know anything of his history?'

`It's a cuckoo's, sir--I know all about it: except where he was born, and who were his parents, and how he got his money, at first.And Hareton has been cast out like an unfledged dunnock! The unfortunate lad is the only one in all this parish that does not guess how he has been cheated.'

`Well, Mrs Dean, it will be a charitable deed to tell me something of my neighbours: I feel I shall not rest, if I go to bed; so be good enough to sit and chat an hour.'

`Oh, certainly, sir! I'll just fetch a little sewing, and then I'll sit as long as you please.But you've caught cold: I saw you shivering, and you must have some gruel to drive it out.'

The worthy woman bustled off, and I crouched nearer the fire;my head felt hot, and the rest of me chill: moreover, I was excited, almost to a pitch of foolishness, through my nerves and brain.

This caused me to feel, not uncomfortable, but rather fearful (as Iam still) of serious effects from the incidents of today and yesterday.

She returned presently, bringing a smoking basin and a basket of work;and, having placed the former on the hob, drew in her seat, evidently pleased to find me so companionable.