Latest / Chapter by Chapter — The Lost Library / Wuthering Heights — Chapter 32 | Full Audiobook

Transcript

Wuthering Heights — Chapter 32 | Full Audiobook · Chapter by Chapter — The Lost Library

0:00
Chapter 3218 O2 This September, I received an invitation to
0:08
explore mirth, the Moors of a friend in the north.
0:12
During my journey to his home, I unexpectedly found myself just
0:16
15 miles from Gympton. As I paused at A roadside inn,
0:21
watched the Osler offer a pail of water to refresh my horses, A
0:26
cart loaded with freshly harvested vivid green oats
0:31
rolled by. The Osler commented.
0:34
That's from Gimmerton. They're always three weeks
0:38
behind everyone else with their harvest, Gimmerton, I echoed.
0:44
The memory of living there had already faded into something
0:48
distant and dreamlike. Oh yes, I might remember.
0:54
How far is it from here? About 14 miles over the hills.
1:00
It's a rough Rd. he replied. An unexpected urge gripped me to
1:06
visit Thrushcross Grange. It was barely noon and I figured
1:11
I might as well spend the night under my own roof rather than in
1:16
an inn. Moreover, I could easily spare a
1:20
day to settle matters with my landlord, thus sparing myself
1:24
the inconvenience of returning to the area.
1:28
Latham. After a brief rest, I instructed
1:32
my servant to find the way to the village.
1:36
Despite the strain on our animals, we covered the distance
1:41
in about 3 hours. I left him there and ventured
1:45
down the valley alone. The grey church appeared even
1:50
greyer and the solitary churchyard seemed more desolate.
1:56
I noticed a Moor sheep nibbling at the short grass on the
2:00
graves. The weather was sweet and warm,
2:03
almost too warm for travel. Yet the heat didn't stop me from
2:08
savouring the enchanting scenery both above and below.
2:13
Had I visited closer to August, I'm certain I would have been
2:17
tempted to spend a month amidst it's solitude.
2:21
In winter nothing could be more bleak, in summer nothing more
2:26
divine than those Glens enclosed by hills and those bold,
2:32
sweeping expanses of heath. I arrived at the Grange before
2:38
sunset and knocked for entry. It seemed the family had
2:42
retreated to the back rooms, as suggested by a thin blue wisp of
2:48
smoke curling from the kitchen chimney, and they didn't hear
2:52
me. I rode into the courtyard.
2:55
Under the porch, a girl of 9 or 10 was knitting while an old
3:02
woman lounged on the doorstep, smoking a contemplative pipe.
3:07
Is Missus Dean inside? I asked the woman.
3:12
Mistress Dean. No, she replied.
3:17
She's not here. She's up at the Heights.
3:22
Are you the housekeeper then? I asked.
3:27
Yes, I keep the house, she answered.
3:32
Well, I'm Mr. Lockwood, the owner.
3:35
Are there any rooms available for me to stay the night?
3:40
The master? She exclaimed in surprise.
3:45
Why? Who knew you were coming?
3:48
You should have sent word. There's nothing ready here,
3:52
nothing at all. She put down her pipe and
3:57
bustled inside, the girl following her, and I entered as
4:02
well. It quickly became clear that her
4:05
report was accurate and that my unexpected Robifle had nearly
4:09
thrown her into a tizzy. I told her to calm down, I would
4:14
go for a walk, and in the meantime she should try to
4:18
prepare a corner of a sitting room for me to have supper in
4:22
and a bedroom to sleep in. No need for sweeping and
4:26
dusting, just a good fire and dry sheets would suffice.
4:32
She seemed eager to do her best, though she mistakenly used the
4:36
hearth brush as a poker and misused several other tools of
4:40
her trade. But I left, trusting in her
4:45
determination to have a place ready for me when I returned.
4:52
Wuthering Heights was the destination of my intended walk.
4:56
A second thought brought me back after I had left the courtyard.
5:03
All well at the Heights? I asked the woman.
5:08
For all I know, she replied, hurrying away with a pan of hot
5:14
ashes. I wanted to ask why Missus Dean
5:18
had left the Grange, but it was impossible to stop her at such a
5:23
moment, so I turned away and made my exit.
5:28
I wandered leisurely along, with the glow of the setting sun
5:32
behind me and the gentle brilliance of the rising moon
5:35
ahead, 1 fading as the other, growing brighter as I left the
5:42
park and climbed the rocky path leading to Mr. Heathcliff's
5:46
home. Before I could see it, the day
5:50
had dwindled to a beepless animal light in the West, but
5:54
the magnificent moonlight revealed every Pebble on the
5:57
path and every blade of grass. I didn't need to climb the gate
6:02
or knock, it opened easily at my touch.
6:06
That's an improvement, I thought.
6:10
I noticed another, thanks to my sense of smell.
6:15
A fragrance of stalks and wallflowers drifted through the
6:19
air from among the humble fruit trees.
6:24
Both doors and windows were open.
6:27
Yet, as is typical in a coal district, a warm red fire glowed
6:32
in a fireplace. The comfort it provided the eyes
6:36
made the extra heat bearable, but Wuthering Heights is so
6:40
large that it's residents have plenty of room to escape it's
6:44
warmth. Thus, those who were there had
6:48
settled not far from one of the windows.
6:52
I could see them and hear their conversation before I entered,
6:57
compelled by a mix of curiosity and envy that grew as I
7:02
lingered. Contrary chimed, a voice as
7:06
sweet as a silver bell. That's the third time, you
7:11
dunce. I won't repeat myself, remember,
7:15
or I'll pull your hair. Contrary then replied another
7:20
voice, deep but softened. Now kiss me for getting it
7:26
right. No, read it over first.
7:30
Perfectly. Without a single mistake, the
7:35
male speaker began to read. He was a young man, well
7:40
dressed, seated at a table with a book in front of him.
7:44
His handsome features were lit with pleasure, and his eyes kept
7:49
darting from the page to a small white hand over his shoulder,
7:54
which would give him a playful slap on the cheek whenever it's
7:57
owner noticed his wandering attention.
8:01
She stood behind him, her light shining curls occasionally
8:06
mingling with his brown locks as she leaned over to guide his
8:10
studies. Her face, fortunately for him,
8:15
was out of his sight or he would never have managed to stay
8:21
focused. I could see her face and I bit
8:27
my lip in frustration, regretting the lost opportunity
8:31
to do anything other than gape at her stunning beauty.
8:38
The task it was completed, though not without further
8:42
errors, but the pupils insisted on the reward and received at
8:47
least five kisses, which he generously returned.
8:52
Then they moved to the door and from their conversation I
8:56
gathered they were about to head out for a walk on the Moors.
9:00
I imagined Hareton Earnshaw would curse me to the depths of
9:04
hell if I dared show myself in his vicinity.
9:08
At that moment. Feeling quite low and spiteful,
9:13
I slunk away to find refuge in the kitchen.
9:16
There was easy access from that side as well, and at the door
9:21
sat my old friend Nelly Dean, sewing and singing a song
9:26
frequently interrupted by harsh words of scorn and intolerance
9:30
coming from within, spoken in far from melodious tones.
9:35
I'd rather have them cursing in my ears from morning till night
9:40
than listen to you, declared the kitchen tenant, responding to
9:44
something Nelly had said. It's a crying shame that I can't
9:50
open the blessed Book without you glorifying Satan and all the
9:54
dreadful wickedness ever borne into this world.
9:58
You're a real scoundrel, and she's no better.
10:02
That poor boy will be lost between the two of you.
10:05
Key, poor boy, he added with a groan.
10:09
He's bewitched, I'm sure of it. Oh, Lord, judge them, for
10:15
there's neither law nor justice among our rulers.
10:20
No, or we'd be sitting in flaming pyres, I suppose.
10:24
The singer shot back. But harsh, old man, and read
10:28
your Bible like a Christian. And don't mind me, this is Fairy
10:32
Annie's wedding. A lovely tune.
10:35
It goes with a dance. Misses Dean was about to start
10:39
again when I stepped forward. Recognizing me immediately, she
10:44
jumped up exclaiming. Why bless you, Mr. Lockwood, how
10:49
could you think of returning like this?
10:52
Everything's shut up at Thrush Cross Grange.
10:57
You should have given us a heads up.
11:00
I've made arrangements to stay there for the duration of my
11:04
visit, I replied. I'm leaving again tomorrow.
11:09
But tell me, Mrs. Dean, how did you end up here?
11:14
Zilla left and Mr. Heathcliff asked me to come shortly after
11:19
you went to London to stay until you returned.
11:22
But please come in. Did you walk all the way from
11:27
Gimmerton this evening from the Grange?
11:31
I said. While they prepare a room for me
11:34
there. I want to wrap up my business
11:37
with your master. I don't expect I'll have another
11:40
chance anytime soon. What business, Sir?
11:45
Nelly asked as she led me inside.
11:49
He's at out there at the moment and won't be back for a while.
11:54
It's about the rent. I explained.
11:59
Oh, then you'll need to settle that with Missus Heathcliff.
12:03
She noted. Or rather with me.
12:06
She hasn't learnt to handle her affairs yet, so I managed them
12:10
for her. There's no one else.
12:13
I looked at her, surprised. Oh, you haven't heard about
12:19
Heathcliff's death, have you? She went on.
12:24
Heathcliff dead? I exclaimed, taken aback.
12:29
When did this happen? Three months ago.
12:34
But sit down, let me take your hat and I'll tell you
12:38
everything. Wait, you haven't eaten
12:43
anything, have you? I don't need anything.
12:47
I've arranged for supper at home.
12:49
You sit down too. I never imagined he would die.
12:54
Tell me how it happened. You mentioned you don't expect
12:58
it. The young ones back for a while?
13:01
No. They wander late every evening
13:04
and I have to scold them. But they pay me no mind.
13:08
At least have a glass of our old ale, it'll do you good.
13:13
You look tired. Before I could decline, she
13:18
hurried off to fetch it, and I overheard Joseph grumbling about
13:24
how disgraceful it was for her to have visitors at her age and
13:29
then to take ale from the master's cellar.
13:33
He was ashamed to stand by and watch.
13:37
She didn't pause to respond, but returned shortly, carrying a
13:41
foaming silver pint which I praised with Jew enthusiasm.
13:46
Then she proceeded to share the rest of Heathcliff's story with
13:49
me. He met a rather peculiar and as
13:55
she put it, I was called to Wuthering Heights just two week
14:00
after you left us. She recounted and I went eagerly
14:05
for Catherine's sake. My first meeting with her was
14:09
both distressing and shocking. She had changed so much since we
14:13
last parted. Mr. Heathcliff didn't bother to
14:17
explain why he suddenly wanted me there.
14:19
He simply said he needed me and was weary of seeing Catherine.
14:25
I was to use the small parlour as my sitting room and keep her
14:29
company. It sufficed if he only had to
14:33
see her once or twice a day. Catherine seemed content with
14:38
this arrangement and gradually I managed to sneak in a good
14:43
number of books and other items that had entertained her at the
14:48
Grange, hoping we might find some comfort.
14:51
But this illusion was short lived.
14:55
Initially content, Catherine soon became irritable and
14:59
restless. For one, she was not allowed to
15:03
leave the garden, and it pained her to be confined as spring
15:07
approached. For another, my duties around
15:11
the house often forced me to leave her, and she complained of
15:15
loneliness. She preferred arguing with
15:19
Joseph in the kitchen to sitting alone in silence.
15:23
I didn't mind their squabbles, but Hareton often had to retreat
15:27
to the kitchen too, whenever the master wanted the house to
15:31
himself. And although at first she would
15:35
either leave when he arrived or quietly join my activities,
15:40
avoiding any interaction with him, and despite his constant
15:45
sullenness and silence, eventually she changed.
15:50
She couldn't resist provoking him, talking at him, criticizing
15:55
his laziness and ignorance, wondering aloud how he could
15:58
tolerate his life, how he could spend entire evenings staring
16:04
into the fire, half asleep. Isn't he just like a dog, Ellen?
16:10
She remarked once, Or a cart horse?
16:15
He goes about his task, he eats his meals and sleeps as if in an
16:20
endless lumber. What a dull, lifeless mind he
16:24
must have. Do you ever dream, Hareton?
16:27
And if you do, what do you dream about?
16:29
But you can't speak to me, can you?
16:33
She glanced at him, but he neither spoke nor returned her
16:36
gaze. Maybe he's dreaming right now.
16:41
She continued. He shrugged his shoulder.
16:44
Just like Juno does. Ask him, Ellen, Mr. Hareton will
16:51
ask the master to send you upstairs if you don't behave.
16:56
I warned. He had not only shrugged but
16:59
also clenched his first, as if tempted to use it.
17:04
I know why Hairton never speaks when I'm in the kitchen, she
17:08
declared on another occasion. He's afraid I'll laugh at him,
17:13
Ellen. Guess what?
17:15
He once tried to teach himself to read, and because I laughed,
17:19
he burned his books and gave up. Wasn't he foolish?
17:24
Weren't you being naughty? I asked.
17:27
Answer me that. Perhaps I was, she admitted.
17:33
But I didn't expect him to be so sensitive.
17:37
Hareton, if I gave you a book now, would you accept it?
17:43
I'll give it a shot. She placed the book she'd been
17:47
flipping through onto his hand. He tossed it aside and muttered
17:53
that if she didn't stop, he'd break her neck.
17:58
Fine, I'll just leave it here, she said, tucking it into the
18:04
table drawer. I'm off to bed.
18:07
She whispered to me to keep an eye on whether he touched it,
18:11
then left, but he wouldn't go near it, and I reported this to
18:16
her the next morning, much to her disappointment.
18:21
I could see she regretted his stubborn sulkiness and laziness.
18:26
Her conscience nagged at her for scaring him away from bettering
18:30
himself, and she had done so quite thoroughly.
18:35
Yet her cleverness was already at work to fix the damage while
18:40
I ironed or did other tasks that kept me in one place.
18:45
She'd bring a delightful book and read it aloud to me.
18:49
When Hareton was around, she'd often stop at an intriguing part
18:54
and leave the book lying about. She did this repeatedly, but he
18:59
was as stubborn as a mule. Instead of taking the bait on
19:03
rainy days, he took to smoking with Joseph.
19:06
They sat like statues on either side of the fire, the older man
19:12
blissfully to deaf to catch her so-called wicked nonsense and
19:17
the younger doing his best to ignore it.
19:21
On pleasant evenings, Hareton would go off on his shooting
19:24
trips, leaving Catherine to yawn.
19:27
Sigh and pester me for conversation, only to dash off
19:32
to the courtyard or garden as soon as I started talking.
19:36
As a last resort, she'd cry and declare she was tired of living,
19:42
that her life felt pointless. Mr. Heathcliff, increasingly
19:47
averse to company, had nearly banished Earnshaw from his rooms
19:53
due to an accident at the start of March.
19:55
He found himself confined to the kitchen for several days.
20:00
His gun exploded while he was alone in the hills, a Shard
20:05
sliced his arm and he bled heavily before he could make it
20:10
back Humpy. As a result, he was forced to
20:13
stay by the fireside, embracing a reluctant peace until he
20:18
recovered. This arrangement suited
20:21
Catherine. It intensified her aversion to
20:25
her room upstairs and she insisted I find tasks downstairs
20:30
so she could join me. On Easter Monday Joseph went to
20:34
the Gimmerton Fair with some cattle, and in the afternoon I
20:39
was occupied with ironing in the kitchen.
20:43
Earnshaw sat as sullen as ever by the fireplace while my young
20:48
mistress passed the time drawing on the window panes,
20:51
interspersing her doodles with muffled songs, whispered
20:55
exclamations, and quick, irritated glances toward her
20:59
cousin, who smoked steadily and stared into the fire.
21:05
When I mentioned that she was blocking my light, she moved to
21:09
the Hearthstone. I pay little attention to her
21:13
actions until I heard her say. I've realized, a Hatton, that I
21:18
want that I'm glad that I'd like you to be my cousin now, if only
21:23
you hadn't become so cross and rough with me.
21:27
Hareton gave no reply. Hareton, Hareton, Hareton, do
21:34
you hear me? She persisted.
21:38
Get away from me, he growled with unyielding roughness.
21:44
Let me take that pipe, she said cautiously, reaching out and
21:50
removing it from his mouth. Before he could try to retrieve
21:55
it, she had broken it and tossed it into the fire.
22:00
He cursed at her and grabbed another.
22:04
Stop. She insisted.
22:06
You have to listen to me first. I can't talk with all this smoke
22:12
in my face. Go to hell, He shouted fiercely.
22:19
And leave me alone. No, she persisted.
22:24
I won't. I don't know how to make you
22:27
talk to me, and you're determined not to understand.
22:31
When I call you stupid, I just mean it.
22:34
I don't mean to insult you. Come on, You have to acknowledge
22:39
me, Hurton. We're cousins, and you must
22:41
recognize that I want nothing to do with you, your filthy pride
22:47
and your damned mocking ways. He retorted.
22:51
I'll go to hell, body and soul, before I ever look your way
22:55
again. Get out of my sight right now.
23:00
Catherine frowned and retreated to the window seat, biting her
23:05
lip and trying to hide her growing urge to cry by humming
23:10
an odd tune. You should really try to be
23:15
friends with your cousin, Mr. Hareton, I interjected.
23:20
She's sorry for her rudeness and having her as a friend would do
23:24
wonders for you. It could transform you.
23:28
A friend? He exclaimed.
23:31
When she despises me and thinks I'm not even worthy to clean her
23:35
shoes. Even if it made me a king, I
23:39
wouldn't endure her scorn just to win her favour.
23:43
It's not me who hates you, it's you who hate me, Kathy cried, no
23:49
longer hiding her distress. You hate me as much as Mr.
23:54
Heathcliff does, if not more. You're a damned liar, Earnshaw
24:00
retorted. Why have I angered him by
24:04
defending you so many times then?
24:06
Even when you mocked and looked dawn on me?
24:09
Keep tormenting me and I'll go in there.
24:12
Say you drove me out of the kitchen.
24:15
I didn't know you stood up for me.
24:18
She replied, wiping her tears. I was miserable and bitter
24:23
towards everyone, but now I thank you and ask for your
24:28
forgiveness. What else can I do?
24:32
She returned to the hearth and offered her hand sincerely.
24:37
He darkened and frowned like a storm cloud, keeping his first
24:41
tightly clenched and his eyes on the floor.
24:45
Catherine must have sensed it was stubbornness, not dislike,
24:50
driving his behaviour. After a moment of hesitation,
24:55
she leaned in and gently kissed his cheek.
24:58
The little Rascal thought I hadn't noticed, and stepping
25:02
back, she resumed her place by the window, looking quite
25:06
innocent. I shook my head in gentle
25:09
reproach, and she blushed, whispering.
25:12
Well, what was I supposed to do, Ellen?
25:16
He wouldn't shake hands or even look at me.
25:19
I had to show him somehow that I like him, that I want us to be
25:24
friends. I can't say if the kiss
25:27
convinced Hareton. For several minutes he was
25:31
careful to keep his face hidden, and when he finally did look up,
25:36
he seemed unsure, weird to direct his gaze.
25:40
Catherine busied herself by wrapping a handsome book in
25:45
white paper, tying it with a ribbon and addressing it to Mr.
25:50
Hareton Earnshaw. She asked me to be her envoy and
25:56
deliver the gift to its intended recipient and tell him if he
26:02
accepts it, I'll come and teach him to read it properly, she
26:07
said. But if he refuses, I'll go
26:11
upstairs and never bother him again.
26:15
I took the beak and relayed her message, all the while being
26:19
watched anxiously by Catherine. Hareton wouldn't open his hands,
26:25
so I placed it on his knee. He didn't push it away either.
26:30
I returned to my tasks. Catherine rested her head and
26:35
arms on the table until she heard the faint rustle of the
26:38
paper being unwrapped. Then she quietly moved to sit
26:43
beside her cousin. He trembled, his face flushed.
26:47
All his roughness and harsh demeanour had vanished.
26:51
At first he couldn't find the courage to respond to her
26:55
questioning look and soft plea. Please say you forgive me,
27:01
Hareton, She urged. You can make me so happy just by
27:08
saying that little word. He mumbled something I couldn't
27:14
catch. And you'll be my friend?
27:18
Catherine asked, her voice full of hope.
27:23
No, you'll be embarrassed by me every day of your life, He
27:29
replied. The more you know me, the more
27:32
ashamed you'll be, and I can't stand that.
27:36
So you won't be my friend. She said, smiling sweetly and
27:42
moving closer. I couldn't make out any more of
27:47
their conversation, but when I glanced back I saw their faces
27:52
glowing as they leaned over the pages of a book they both seemed
27:56
to accept. I had no doubt they'd reached an
27:59
agreement and we're now allies instead of adversaries.
28:04
The book that they were engrossed in was filled with
28:07
lavish illustrations and both the images and their new found
28:13
camaraderie held them captivated until Joseph returned home.
28:18
He was utterly shocked to find Catherine sitting beside Hareton
28:22
Earnshaw, her hand resting on his shoulder.
28:26
The sight of his favorite enduring her presence left him
28:29
too stunned to comment that night.
28:33
His feelings were only betrayed by the deep sighs he emitted as
28:38
he solemnly laid his large Bible on the table, covering it with
28:44
dirty banknotes from his pocket. The day's earnings.
28:50
Finally, he called Hareton over. Take these to the master lad, he
28:56
instructed, and stay there. I'm going up to my own room.
29:01
This place isn't fit or proper for us.
29:04
We need to move on and find another.
29:07
Come on, Catherine, I said. We need to wrap things up here.
29:14
I finished my ironing. Are you ready to leave?
29:20
It's not even 8:00, she replied, standing reluctantly.
29:26
Hareton, I'll leave this book on the mantle, and I'll bring more
29:30
tomorrow. Any books you leave, I'll take
29:35
into the house. Joseph interjected.
29:38
And it'll be a miracle if you ever see them again, so do as
29:44
you please. Kathy playfully threatened that
29:49
his library would suffer for hers, and with a smile at
29:55
Hareton, she went upstairs singing, her heart lighter than
30:01
it had ever been under that roof, except perhaps during her
30:08
earliest visits to Linton. The friendship that began then
30:12
grew quickly. Despite occasional setbacks,
30:16
Earnshaw couldn't be tamed with mere goodwill.
30:19
And my young lady was neither a philosopher nor a model of
30:23
patience. Yet with both of them striving
30:27
towards the same goal, one yearning to love and be
30:32
respected, the other yearning to be loved and respected, they
30:38
eventually found their way. You see, Mr. Lockwood, winning
30:44
Missus Heathcliff's heart wasn't difficult.
30:48
But I'm relieved you didn't attempt it.
30:50
The pinnacle of my hopes is the union of those two on their
30:55
wedding day. I will envy no one.
30:58
There won't be a happier woman than me in all of England.