I stepped into the kitchen, my feet dragging on from chasing the children around. I look outside as the sun cascades through the window, almost as if it is warm veil across the counter tops. I look outside as I see Healthcliff walk through the lofty barn doors, just to witness as he flings himself against the bench. He seems to appear reticent. I push my worries outside of my mind, as I have to tend to Hareton, my sweet little lamb. I carefully place him in my arms, and begin to lull him to sleep with a song that began “It was far in the night, and the bairnies grat, the mither beneath the mools heard that”. His face is filled with wonder, as he looks up at me with his big doe eyes. “A sign from God, that he has not yet forsaken us”. I look up to notice Miss Cathy, who was intently listening to my soft humming from her room. She pops her head in, almost child-like and whispered
“Are you alone, Nelly?” and I reply “Yes, Miss”.
She entered cautiously to approach the hearth, without disturbing young Hareton. She looked at me with apprehension, as her expression was coloured with worry. I could tell, this was important. Miss Cathy seemed like she couldn’t find the words to explain her burgeoning thoughts. She looked as if she was going to speak, and confess what troubled her, but it emerged as a quiet murmur. I took that as a cue to finish my lullaby, not soon forgetting her sudden peculiar demeanor.
She suddenly blurts out “Where’s Heathcliff?” interrupting me, “About his work in the stable” I answer quietly. There was silence. I looked up to see what she was thinking; I noticed tears trickling down her face, as they meet her red porcelain cheeks. Is she regretting her query? Did she feel flustered, I asked myself? That would be a vicissitude: but she may eventually come to the conclusion that she is searching for. I can’t help her! She has her own conviction regarding any subject; it is a vain attempt otherwise.
Miss Cathy brings my thoughts to a screeching halt, as she finally exclaims “Oh dear” and seamlessly cries out “I’m very unhappy!” It’s a pity, I observed. Miss Cathy, a girl who had everything, friends, family and a great constitution. I wished for her bravado and naivety, if only I could go back. I know Miss Cathy meant well as I care for her, but she does not understand the severity of this time. I look at her and wished she would understand. She is a mesmerizing young woman but she lacks prudence to understand how affluent she truly is. At this moment I feel as if I am a weathered owl, looking down upon a majestic fawn as she bounds towards the uncharted. If only she knew the consequences that her fervor contains.
I hold back my tongue of k these notions, and listen to her intently as she asks me “Nelly, will you keep a secret for me?” She looks up at me with those doe eyes, which make me think of Hareton and his innocuous demeanor. That look could change the world; make all the awry mistakes fade away. I couldn’t turn away if I tried. I indulge in her question by finally answering “Is it worth keeping?”
Written by Olivia Mickus
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