curiosity of youth

"Till she reached the age of thirteen she had not once been beyond the range of the park by herself. Mr  Linton would take her with him a mile or so outside, on rare occasions; but he trusted her to no one else. Gimmerton was an unsubstantial name in her ears; the chapel, the only building she had approached or entered, except her own home. Wuthering Heights or Mr. Heathcliff did not exist for her. she was a perfect recluse, and, apparently, perfectly contented. Sometimes, indeed, while surveying the country from her nursery window, she would observe-
"Ellen, how long will it be before I can walk to the top of those hills? I wonder what lies on the other side- is it the sea?
No, Miss Cathy" I would answer, it is hills again, just like these."
"And what are those golden rocks like when you stand under them? she once asked.
The abrupt descent of Penistone Crags particularly attracted her notice, especially when the setting sun shone on it and the topmost heights, and the whole extent of landscape beside lay in shadow. I explained that they were bare masses of stone, with hardly enough earth in their clefts to nourish a stunted tree.
"And why are they bright so long after it is evening here? she pursued.
"Because they are a great deal higher up than we are, I replied. "you could not climb them, they are too high and steep. In winter the frost is always there before it comes to us, and deep into summer I have found snow under that black hollow on the north-east side"
"Oh , you have been on them! she cried gleefully. Then, I can go too, when I am a woman. Has papa been,Ellen?
"Papa would tell you, Miss" I answered hastily. that they are not worth the trouble of visiting. The moors, where you ramble with him, are much nicer, and Thrushcross Park is the finest place in the world"
"But I know the park and I do not know those" she murmured to herself. And I should delight to look round me from the brow of the tallest point, my little pony Minny shall take me some time"



Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte