Chapter 26 — Wuthering Heights

Edgar at last allows Catherine and Nelly their first summer ride to meet Linton at the guide-stone by the cross-roads. A herd-boy redirects them farther onto the heath, breaking Edgar's rule to keep on Grange land. They find Linton a quarter-mile from the Heights with no horse, lying pale on the heath and claiming he is better even as Catherine's greeting turns to alarm.

Talk falters. The peevish boy has given way to listless apathy, and he treats their company like punishment rather than pleasure. When Cathy proposes leaving, he glances fearfully toward the Heights and begs her to stay, then coaches her to tell Edgar he is tolerably well and not to anger his father. Cathy names the visit a task Linton performs for fear Heathcliff should scold him, not a reunion she was promised.

Linton dozes moaning, then starts awake believing he heard his father on the nab above. He weeps that his regard for Cathy is unchanged yet whispers hush when she prepares to ride home, clinging to her arm as if Heathcliff were already climbing the slope. She leaves disappointed yet pitying, while Nelly delivers the nephew's thanks to Edgar and throws little light on how bad the meeting really was.