Chapter 24

           Atthecloseofthoseweeks,Iwasabletoquitmychamber,andmoveaboutthehouse.Andonthefirstoccasionofmysittingupintheevening,IaskedCatherinetoreadtome,becausemyeyeswereweak.Wewereinthelibrary,themasterhavinggonetobed:sheconsented,ratherunwillingly,Ifancied;andimaginingmysortofbooksdidnotsuither,Ibidherpleaseherselfinthechoiceofwhatsheperused.Sheselectedoneofherownfavourites,andgotforwardsteadilyaboutanhour;thencamefrequentquestions.

           "Ellen,arenotyoutired?Hadn’tyoubetterliedownnow?You’llbesick,keepingupsolong,Ellen."

           "No,no,dear,I’mnottired,"Ireturnedcontinually.

           Perceivingmeimmovable,sheessayedanothermethodofshowingherdisrelishforheroccupation.Itchangedtoyawning,andstretching,and:

           "Ellen,I’mtired."

           "Giveoverthenandtalk,"Ianswered.

           Thatwasworse:shefrettedandsighed,andlookedatherwatchtilleight,andfinallywenttoherroom,completelyover-donewithsleep;judgingbyherpeevish,heavylook,andtheconstantrubbingsheinflictedonhereyes.Thefollowingnightsheseemedmoreimpatientstill;andonthethirdfromrecoveringmycompany,shecomplainedofaheadache,andleftme.Ithoughtherconductodd;andhavingremainedalonealongwhile,Iresolvedongoingandinquiringwhethershewerebetter,andaskinghertocomeandlieonthesofa,insteadofupstairsinthedark.NoCatherinecouldIdiscoverupstairs,andnonebelow.Theservantsaffirmedtheyhadnotseenher.IlistenedatMr.