Chapter 12

           WhileMissLintonmopedabouttheparkandgarden,alwayssilent,andalmostalwaysintears;andherbrothershuthimselfupamongthebooksthatheneveropened—wearying,Iguessed,withacontinualvagueexpectationthatCatherine,repentingherconduct,wouldcomeofherownaccordtoaskpardon,andseekareconciliation—andshefastedpertinaciously,undertheidea,probably,thatateverymeal,Edgarwasreadytochokeforherabsence,andpridealoneheldhimfromrunningtocasthimselfatherfeet:Iwentaboutmyhouseholdduties,convincedthattheGrangehadbutonesensiblesoulinitswalls,andthatlodgedinmybody.IwastednocondolencesonMiss,noranyexpostulationsonmymistress;nordidIpaymuchattentiontothesighsofmymaster,whoyearnedtohearhislady’sname,sincehemightnothearhervoice.Ideterminedtheyshouldcomeaboutastheypleasedforme;andthoughitwasatiresomelyslowprocess,Ibegantorejoiceatlengthinafaintdawnofitsprogress:asIthoughtatfirst.

           Mrs.Linton,onthethirdday,unbarredherdoor,andhavingfinishedthewaterinherpitcheranddecanter,desiredarenewedsupply,andabasinofgruel,forshebelievedshewasdying.ThatIsetdownasaspeechmeantforEdgar’sears;Ibelievednosuchthing,soIkeptittomyselfandbroughthersometeaanddrytoast.Sheateanddrankeagerly;andsankbackonherpillowagainclenchingherhandsandgroaning."Oh,Iwilldie,"sheexclaimed,"sincenoonecaresanythingaboutme.IwishIhadnottakenthat."