Chapter 21

           WehadsadworkwithlittleCathythatday;sheroseinhighglee,eagertojoinhercousin,andsuchpassionatetearsandlamentationsfollowedthenewsofhisdeparture,thatEdgarhimselfwasobligedtosootheher,byaffirmingheshouldcomebacksoon:headded,however,"ifIcangethim";andtherewerenohopesofthat.Thispromisepoorlypacifiedher:buttimewasmorepotent;andthoughstillatintervalssheenquiredofherfatherwhenLintonwouldreturn,beforeshedidseehimagainhisfeatureshadwaxedsodiminhermemorythatshedidnotrecognizehim.

           WhenIchancedtoencounterthehousekeeperofWutheringHeightsinpayingbusiness-visitstoGimmerton,Iusedtoaskhowtheyoungmastergoton;forhelivedalmostassecludedasCatherineherself,andwasnevertobeseen.Icouldgatherfromherthathecontinuedinweakhealth,andwasatiresomeinmate.ShesaidMr.Heathcliffseemedtodislikehimeverlongerandworse,thoughhetooksometroubletoconcealit:hehadanantipathytothesoundofhisvoice,andcouldnotdoatallwithhissittinginthesameroomwithhimmanyminutestogether.Thereseldompassedmuchtalkbetweenthem:Lintonlearnthislessonsandspenthiseveningsinasmallapartmenttheycalledtheparlour:orelselayinbedallday:forhewasconstantlygettingcoughs,andcolds,andaches,andpainsofsomesort.

           "AndIneverknewsuchafaint-heartedcreature,"addedthewoman;"noronesocarefulofhisseln.Hewillgoon,ifIleavethewindowopenabitlateintheevening.