Page 162 - WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Wuthering Heights

wayward, rejecting her breakfast, complaining that the
servants did not do what she told them; that the mistress
would allow her to be nothing in the house, and Edgar
neglected her; that she had caught a cold with the doors

being left open, and we let the parlour fire go out on
purpose to vex her, with a hundred yet more frivolous
accusations, Mrs. Linton peremptorily insisted that she
should get to bed; and, having scolded her heartily,
threatened to send for the doctor. Mention of Kenneth
caused her to exclaim, instantly, that her health was
perfect, and it was only Catherine’s harshness which made
her unhappy.
’How can you say I am harsh, you naughty fondling?’
cried the mistress, amazed at the unreasonable assertion.
‘You are surely losing your reason. When have I been
hash, tell me?’
’Yesterday,’ sobbed Isabella, ‘and now!’
’Yesterday!’ said her sister-in-law. ‘On what occasion?’
’In our walk along the moor: you told me to ramble
where I pleased, while you sauntered on with Mr.
Heathcliff?’
’And that’s your notion of harshness?’ said Catherine,
laughing. ‘It was no hint that your company was
superfluous? We didn’t care whether you kept with us or

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