Chapter 28

           Onthefifthmorning,orratherafternoon,adifferentstepapproached—lighterandshorter;and,thistime,thepersonenteredtheroom.—ItwasZillah;donnedinherscarletshawl,withablacksilkbonnetonherhead,andawillowbasketswungtoherarm.

           "Eh,dear!Mrs.Dean!"sheexclaimed."Well!thereisatalkaboutyouatGimmerton.IneverthoughtbutyouweresunkintheBlackhorsemarsh,andmissywithyou,tillmastertoldmeyou’dbeenfound,andhe’dlodgedyouhere!What!andyoumusthavegotonanisland,sure?Andhowlongwereyouinthehole?Didmastersaveyou,Mrs.Dean?Butyou’renotsothin—you’venotbeensopoorly,haveyou?"

           "Yourmasterisatruescoundrel!"Ireplied."Butheshallanswerforit.Heneedn’thaveraisedthattale:itshallallbelaidbare!"

           "Whatdoyoumean?"askedZillah."It’snothistale;theytellthatinthevillage—aboutyourbeinglostinthemarsh:andIcallstoEarnshaw,whenIcomein—‘Eh,they’squeerthings,Mr.Hareton,happenedsinceIwentoff.It’sasadpityofthatlikelyyounglass,andcantNellyDean.’Hestared.Ithoughthehadnotheardaught,soItoldhimtherumour.Themasterlistened,andhejustsmiledtohimself,andsaid,‘Iftheyhavebeeninthemarsh,theyareoutnow,Zillah.NellyDeanislodged,atthisminute,inyourroom.Youcantellhertoflit,whenyougoup;hereisthekey.Thebog-watergotintoherhead,andshewouldhaverunhomequiteflighty;butIfixedhertillshecameroundtohersenses.