Heathcliffstoodneartheentrance，inhisshirtandtrousers:
withacandledrippingoverhisfingers，andhisfaceaswhiteasthewallbehindhim。Thefirstcreakoftheoakstartledhimlikeanelectricshock!
thelightleapedfromhisholdtoadistanceofsomefeet，andhisagitationwassoextreme，thathecouldhardlypickitup。
`Itisonlyyourguest，sir，\'Icalledout，desiroustosparehimthehumiliationofexposinghiscowardicefurther。`Ihadthemisfortunetoscreaminmysleep，owingtoafrightfulnightmare。I\'msorryIdisturbedyou。
`OhGodconfoundyou，MrLockwood!Iwishyouwereatthe——`commencedmyhost，settingthecandleonachair，becausehefounditimpossibletoholditsteady。`Andwhoshowedyouupintothisroom？\'hecontinued，crushinghisnailsintohispalms，andgrindinghisteethtosubduethemaxillaryconvulsions。`Whowasit？I\'veagoodmindtoturnthemoutofthehousethismoment!\'
`Itwasyourservant，Zillah，\'Ireplied，flingingmyselfontothefloor，andrapidlyresumingmygarments。`Ishouldnotcareifyoudid，MrHeathcliff；sherichlydeservesit。Isupposethatshewantedtogetanotherproofthattheplacewashaunted，atmyexpense。Well，itis——swarmingwithghostsandgoblins!Youhavereasoninshuttingitup，Iassureyou。
Noonewillthankyouforadozeinsuchaden!\'
`Whatdoyoumean？\'askedHeathcliff，`andwhatareyoudoing？
Liedownandfinishoutthenight，sinceyouarehere；but，forheaven\'ssake!don\'trepeatthathorridnoise；nothingcouldexcuseit，unlessyouwerehavingyourthroatcut!\'
`Ifthelittlefiendhadgotinatthewindow，sheprobablywouldhavestrangledme!\'Ireturned。`I\'mnotgoingtoendurethepersecutionsofyourhospitableancestorsagain。WasnottheReverendJabesBranderhamakintoyouonthemother\'sside？Andthatminx，CatherineLinton，orEarnshaw，orhowevershewascalled——shemusthavebeenachangeling——wickedlittlesoul!Shetoldmeshehadbeenwalkingtheearththesetwentyyears:ajustpunishmentforhermortaltransgressions，I\'venodoubt!\'
Scarcelywerethesewordsuttered，whenIrecollectedtheassociationofHeathcliff\'swithCatherine\'snameinthebook，——whichhadcompletelyslippedfrommymemory，tillthusawakened。Iblushedatmyinconsideration；
but，withoutshowingfurtherconsciousnessoftheoffence，Ihastenedtoadd——`Thetruthis，sir，Ipassedthefirstpartofthenightin\'——HereIstoppedafresh——Iwasabouttosayperusingthoseoldvolumes\'，thenitwouldhaverevealedmyknowledgeoftheirwritten，aswellastheirprinted，contents:so，correctingmyself，Iwenton，`inspellingoverthenamescratchedonthatwindow-ledge。Amonotonousoccupation，calculatedtosetmeasleep，likecounting，or——\'
`Whatcanyoumeanbytalkinginthiswaytome？\'
thunderedHeathcliffwithsavagevehemence。`How——howdareyou，undermyroof？——God!he\'smadtospeakso!\'Andhestruckhisforeheadwithrage。
Ididnotknowwhethertoresentthislanguageorpursuemyexplanation；
butheseemedsopowerfullyaffectedthatItookpityandproceededwithmydreams；affirmingIhadneverheardtheappellationof`CatherineLinton\'
before，butreadingitoftenoverproducedanimpressionwhichpersonifieditselfwhenIhadnolongermyimaginationundercontrol。Heathcliffgraduallyfellbackintotheshelterofthebed，asIspoke；finallysittingdownalmostconcealedbehindit。Iguessed，however，byhisirregularandinterceptedbreathing，thathestruggledtovanquishanexcessofviolentemotion。
NotlikingtoshowhimthatIhadheardtheconflict，Icontinuedmytoiletterathernoisily，lookingatmywatch，andsoliloquizedonthelengthofthenight:`Notthreeo\'clockyet!Icouldhavetakenoathithadbeensix。Timestagnateshere:wemustsurelyhaveretiredtorestateight!\'
`Alwaysatnineinwinter，andalwaysriseatfour，\'saidmyhost，suppressingagroan:and，asIfancied，bythemotionofhisshadow\'sarm，dashingatearfromhiseyes。`MrLockwood，\'headded，`youmaygointomyroom:you\'llonlybeintheway，comingdownstairssoearly；andyourchildishoutcryhassentsleeptothedevilforme。\'
`Andforme，too，\'Ireplied。`I\'llwalkintheyardtilldaylight，andthenI\'llbeoff；andyouneednotdreadarepetitionofmyintrusion。
I\'mnowquitecuredofseekingpleasureinsociety，beitcountryortown。
Asensiblemanoughttofindsufficientcompanyinhimself。\'
`Delightfulcompany!\'mutteredHeathcliff。`Takethecandle，andgowhereyouplease。Ishalljoinyoudirectly。Keepoutoftheyard，though，thedogsareunchained；andthehouse——Junomountssentinelthere，and——nay，youcanonlyrambleaboutthestepsandpassages。But，awaywithyou!I\'llcomeintwominutes!\'
Iobeyed，sofarastoquitthechamber；when，ignorantwherethenarrowlobbiesled，Istoodstill，andwaswitness，involuntarily，toapieceofsuperstitiononthepartofmylandlord，whichbelied，oddly，hisapparentsense。Hegotontothebed，andwrenchedopenthelattice，bursting，ashepulledatit，intoanuncontrollablepassionoftears。
`Comein!comein!\'hesobbed。`Cathy，docome。Ohdo——oncemore!
Oh!myheart\'sdarling!hearmethistime，Catherine，atlast!\'
Thespectreshowedaspectre\'sordinarycaprice:itgavenosignofbeing；
butthesnowandwindwhirledwildlythrough，evenreachingmystation，andblowingoutthelight。
Therewassuchanguishinthegustofgriefthataccompaniedthisraving，thatmycompassionmademeoverlookitsfolly，andIdrewoff，halfangrytohavelistenedatall，andvexedathavingrelatedmyridiculousnightmare，sinceitproducedthatagony；thoughwhy，wasbeyondmycomprehension。Idescendedcautiouslytothelowerregions，andlandedinthebackkitchen，whereagleamoffire，rakedcompactlytogether，enabledmetorekindlemycandle。Nothingwasstirringexceptabridled，greycat，whichcreptfromtheashes，andsalutedmewithaquerulousmew。
Twobenches，shapedinsectionsofacircle，nearlyenclosedthehearth；ononeoftheseIstretchedmyself，andGrimalkinmountedtheother。
Wewerebothofusnodding，ereanyoneinvadedourretreat，andthenitwasJoseph，shufflingdownawoodenladderthatvanishedintheroof，throughatrap:theascenttohisgarret，Isuppose。HecastasinisterlookatthelittleflamewhichIhadenticedtoplaybetweentheribs，sweptthecatfromitselevation，andbestowinghimselfinthevacancy，commencedtheoperationofstuffingathree-inchpipewithtobacco。Mypresenceinhissanctumwasevidentlyesteemedapieceofimpudencetooshamefulforremark:hesilentlyappliedthetubetohislips，foldedhisarms，andpuffedaway。Ilethimenjoytheluxuryunannoyed；andaftersuckingouthislastwreath，andheavingaprofoundsigh，hegotup，anddepartedassolemnlyashecame。
Amoreelasticfootstepenterednext；andnowIopenedmymouthfora`goodmorning\'，butcloseditagain，thesalutationunachieved；forHaretonEarnshawwasperforminghisorisonssottovoce，inaseriesofcursesdirectedagainsteveryobjecthetouched，whileherummagedacornerforaspadeorshoveltodigthroughthedrifts。Heglancedoverthebackofthebench，dilatinghisnostrils，andthoughtaslittleofexchangingcivilitieswithmeaswithmycompanionthecat。Iguessed，byhispreparations，thategresswasallowed，and，leavingmyhardcouch，madeamovementtofollowhim。Henoticedthis，andthrustataninnerdoorwiththeendofhisspade，intimatingbyaninarticulatesoundthattherewastheplacewhereImustgo，ifIchangedmylocality；
Itopenedintothehouse，wherethefemaleswerealreadyastir，Zillahurgingflakesofflameupthechimneywithacolossalbellows；andMrsHeathcliff，kneelingonthehearth，readingabookbytheaidoftheblaze。Sheheldherhandinterposedbetweenthefurnaceheatandhereyes，andseemedabsorbedinheroccupation；desistingfromitonlytochidetheservantforcoveringherwithsparks，ortopushawayadog，nowandthen，thatsnoozleditsnoseover-forwardlyintoherface。IwassurprisedtoseeHeathclifftherealso。Hestoodbythefire，hisbacktowardsme，justfinishingastormyscenetopoorZillah；whoeverandanoninterruptedherlabourtopluckupthecornerofherapron，andheaveanindignantgroan。
`Andyou，youworthless\'——hebrokeoutasIentered，turningtohisdaughter-in-law，andemployinganepithetasharmlessasduck，orsheep，butgenerallyrepresentedbyadash。`Thereyouare，atyouridletricksagain!Therestofthemdoearntheirbread——youliveonmycharity!Putyourtrashaway，andfindsomethingtodo。Youshallpaymefortheplagueofhavingyoueternallyinmysight——doyouhear，damnablejade？\'
`I\'llputmytrashaway，becauseyoucanmakeme，ifIrefuse，\'
answeredtheyounglady，closingherbook，andthrowingitonachair。
`ButI\'llnotdoanything，thoughyoushouldswearyourtongueout，exceptwhatIplease!\'
Heathcliffliftedhishand，andthespeakersprangtoasaferdistance，obviouslyacquaintedwithitsweight。Havingnodesiretobeentertainedbyacat-and-dogcombat；Isteppedforwardbriskly，asifeagertopartakethewarmthofthehearth，andinnocentofanyknowledgeoftheinterrupteddispute。Eachhadenoughdecorumtosuspendfurtherhostilities:
Heathcliffplacedhisfist，outoftemptation，inhispockets；MrsHeathcliffcurledherlip，andwalkedtoaseatfaroff，whereshekeptherwordbyplayingthepartofastatueduringtheremainderofmystay。Thatwasnotlong。Ideclinedjoiningtheirbreakfast，and，atthefirstgleamofdawn，tookanopportunityofescapingintothefreeair，nowclear，andstill，andcoldasimpalpableice。
Mylandlordhallooedformetostop，ereIreachedthebottomofthegarden，andofferedtoaccompanymeacrossthemoor。Itwaswellhedid，forthewholehill-backwasonebillowy，whiteocean；theswellsandfallsnotindicatingcorrespondingrisesanddepressionsintheground:
manypits，atleast，werefilledtoalevel；andentirerangesofmounds，therefuseofthequarries，blottedfromthechartwhichmyyesterday\'swalkleftpicturedinmymind。Ihadremarkedononesideoftheroad，atintervalsofsixorsevenyards，alineofuprightstones，continuedthroughthewholelengthofthebarren:thesewereerected，anddaubedwithlimeonpurposetoserveasguidesinthedark；andalsowhenafall，likethepresent，confoundedthedeepswampsoneitherhandwiththefirmerpath:but，exceptingadirtydotpointinguphereandthere，alltracesoftheirexistencehadvanished:andmycompanionfounditnecessarytowarnmefrequentlytosteertotherightorleft，whenIimaginedIwasfollowing，correctly，thewindingsoftheroad。Weexchangedlittleconversation，andhehaltedattheentranceofThrushcrossPark，saying，Icouldmakenoerrorthere。Ouradieuxwerelimitedtoahastybow，andthenIpushedforward，trustingtomyownresources；fortheporter\'slodgeisuntenantedasyet。ThedistancefromthegatetotheGrangeistwomiles:IbelieveImanagedtomakeitfour；whatwithlosingmyselfamongthetrees，andsinkinguptotheneckinsnow:apredicamentwhichonlythosewhohaveexperienceditcanappreciate。Atanyrate，whateverweremywanderings，theclockchimedtwelveasIenteredthehouse；andthatgaveexactlyanhourforeverymileoftheusualwayfromWutheringHeights。
Myhumanfixtureandhersatellitesrushedtowelcomeme；exclaiming，tumultuously，theyhadcompletelygivenmeup；everybodyconjecturedthatIperishedlastnight；andtheywerewonderinghowtheymustsetaboutthesearchformyremains。Ibidthembequiet，nowthattheysawmereturned，and，benumbedtomyveryheart，Idraggedupstairs；whence，afterputtingondryclothes，andpacingtoandfrothirtyorfortyminutes，torestoretheanimalheat，Iamadjournedtomystudy，feebleasakitten:almosttoomuchsotoenjoythecheerfulfireandsmokingcoffeewhichtheservanthaspreparedformyrefreshment。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter4Whatvainweather-cocksweare!I，whohaddeterminedtoholdmyselfindependentofallsocialintercourse，andthankedmystarsthat，atlength，Ihadlightedonaspotwhereitwasnexttoimpracticable——I，weakwretch，aftermaintainingtillduskastrugglewithlowspiritsandsolitude，wasfinallycompelledtostrikemycolours；and，underpretenceofgaininginformationconcerningthenecessitiesofmyestablishment，IdesiredMrsDean，whenshebroughtinsupper，tositdownwhileIateit；hopingsincerelyshewouldprovearegulargossip，andeitherrousemetoanimationorlullmetosleepbyhertalk。
`Youhavelivedhereaconsiderabletime，\'Icommenced；`didyounotsaysixteenyears？\'
`Eighteen，sir:Icame，whenthemistresswasmarried，towaitonher；aftershedied，themasterretainedmeforhishousekeeper。\'
`Indeed。\'
Thereensuedapause。Shewasnotagossip，Ifeared；unlessaboutherownaffairs，andthosecouldhardlyinterestme。However，havingstudiedforaninterval，withafistoneitherknee，andacloudofmeditationoverherruddycountenance，sheejaculated:
`Ah，timesaregreatlychangedsincethen!\'
`Yes，\'Iremarked，`you\'veseenagoodmanyalterations，Isuppose？\'
`Ihave:andtroublestoo，\'shesaid。
`Oh，I\'llturnthetalkonmylandlord\'sfamily!\'Ithoughttomyself。`Agoodsubjecttostart——andthatprettygirl-widow，Ishouldliketoknowherhistory:whethershebeanativeofthecountry，or，asismoreprobable，anexoticthatthesurlyindigenaewillnotrecognizeforkin。\'WiththisintentionIaskedMrsDeanwhyHeathcliffletThrushcrossGrange，andpreferredlivinginasituationandresidencesomuchinferior。
`Ishenotrichenoughtokeeptheestateingoodorder？\'Iinquired。
`Rich，sir!\'shereturned。`Hehas，nobodyknowswhatmoney，andeveryyearitincreases。Yes，yes，he\'srichenoughtoliveinafinerhousethanthis:buthe\'sverynear——close-handed；and，ifhehadmeanttoflittoThrushcrossGrange，assoonasheheardofagoodtenanthecouldnothavebornetomissthechanceofgettingafewhundredsmore。
Itisstrangepeopleshouldbesogreedy，whentheyarealoneintheworld!\'
`Hehadason，itseems？\'
`Yes，hehadone——heisdead。\'
`And，thatyounglady，MrsHeathcliff，ishiswidow？\'
`Yes。
`Wheredidshecomefromoriginally？\'
`Why，sir，sheismylatemaster\'sdaughter:CatherineLintonwashermaidenname。Inursedher，poorthing!IdidwishMrHeathcliffwouldremovehere，andthenwemighthavebeentogetheragain。\'
`What!CatherineLinton？\'Iexclaimed，astonished。Butaminute\'sreflectionconvincedmeitwasnotmyghostlyCatherine。
`Then，\'Icontinued，`mypredecessor\'snamewasLinton？\'
`Itwas。
`AndwhoisthatEarnshaw，HaretonEarnshaw，wholiveswithMrHeathcliff？aretheyrelations？\'
`No；heisthelateMrsLinton\'snephew。\'
`Theyounglady\'scousin，then？\'
`Yes；andherhusbandwashercousinalso:oneonthemother\'s，theotheronthefather\'sside:HeathcliffmarriedMrLinton\'ssister。\'
`IseethehouseatWutheringHeightshas\"Earnshaw\"carvedoverthefrontdoor。Aretheyanoldfamily？\'
`Veryold，sir；andHaretonisthelastofthem，asourMissCathyisofus——ImeanoftheLintons。HaveyoubeentoWutheringHeights？I
begpardonforasking；butIshouldliketohearhowsheis!\'
`MrsHeathcliff？Shelookedverywell，andveryhandsome；yet，Ithink，notveryhappy。\'
`Ohdear，Idon\'twonder!Andhowdidyoulikethemaster？\'`A
roughfellow，rather，MrsDean。Isnotthathischaracter？\'
`Roughasasawedge，andhardaswhinstone!Thelessyoumeddlewithhimthebetter。\'
`Hemusthavehadsomeupsanddownsinlifetomakehimsuchachurl。Doyouknowanythingofhishistory？\'
`It\'sacuckoo\'s，sir——Iknowallaboutit:exceptwherehewasborn，andwhowerehisparents，andhowhegothismoney，atfirst。AndHaretonhasbeencastoutlikeanunfledgeddunnock!Theunfortunateladistheonlyoneinallthisparishthatdoesnotguesshowhehasbeencheated。\'
`Well，MrsDean，itwillbeacharitabledeedtotellmesomethingofmyneighbours:IfeelIshallnotrest，ifIgotobed；sobegoodenoughtositandchatanhour。\'
`Oh，certainly，sir!I\'lljustfetchalittlesewing，andthenI\'llsitaslongasyouplease。Butyou\'vecaughtcold:Isawyoushivering，andyoumusthavesomegrueltodriveitout。\'
Theworthywomanbustledoff，andIcrouchednearerthefire；
myheadfelthot，andtherestofmechill:moreover，Iwasexcited，almosttoapitchoffoolishness，throughmynervesandbrain。
Thiscausedmetofeel，notuncomfortable，butratherfearful(asI
amstill)ofseriouseffectsfromtheincidentsoftodayandyesterday。
Shereturnedpresently，bringingasmokingbasinandabasketofwork；
and，havingplacedtheformeronthehob，drewinherseat，evidentlypleasedtofindmesocompanionable。
BeforeIcametolivehere，shecommenced——waitingnofurtherinvitationtoherstory——IwasalmostalwaysatWutheringHeights；becausemymotherhadnursedMrHindleyEarnshaw，thatwasHareton\'sfather，andIgotusedtoplayingwiththechildren:Iranerrandstoo，andhelpedtomakehay，andhungaboutthefarmreadyforanythingthatanybodywouldsetmeto。Onefinesummermorning——itwasthebeginningofharvest，I
remember——MrEarnshaw，theoldmaster，camedownstairs，dressedforajourney；
andafterhehadtoldJosephwhatwastobedoneduringtheday，heturnedtoHindley，andCathy，andme——forIsateatingmyporridgewiththem——andhesaid，speakingtohisson，`Nowmybonnyman，I\'mgoingtoLiverpooltoday，whatshallIbringyou？Youmaychoosewhatyoulike:onlyletitbelittle，forIshallwalkthereandback:sixtymileseachway，thatisalongspell!\'Hindleynamedafiddle，andthenheaskedMissCathy；
shewashardlysixyearsold，butshecouldrideanyhorseinthestable，andshechoseawhip。Hedidnotforgetme；forhehadakindheart，thoughhewasratherseveresometimes。Hepromisedtobringmeapocketfulofapplesandpears，andthenhekissedhischildrengoodbyeandsetoff。
Itseemedalongwhiletousall——thethreedaysofhisabsence——andoftendidlittleCathyaskwhenhewouldbehome。MrsEarnshawexpectedhimbysuppertimeonthethirdevening，andsheputthemealoffhourafterhour；therewerenosignsofhiscoming，however，andatlastthechildrengottiredofrunningdowntothegatetolook。Thenitgrewdark；
shewouldhavehadthemtobed，buttheybeggedsadlytobeallowedtostayup；and，justabouteleveno\'clock，thedoorlatchwasraisedquietlyandinsteppedthemaster。Hethrewhimselfintoachair，laughingandgroaning，andbidthemallstandoff，forhewasnearlykilled——hewouldnothavesuchanotherwalkforthethreekingdoms。
`Andattheendofit，tobeflightedtodeath!\'hesaid，openinghisgreatcoat，whichheheldbundledupinhisarms。`Seehere，wife!I
wasneversobeatenwithanythinginmylife:butyoumuste\'entakeitasagiftofGod；thoughit\'sasdarkalmostasifitcamefromthedevil。\'
Wecrowdedround，andoverMissCathy\'shead，Ihadapeepatadirty，ragged，black-hairedchild；bigenoughbothtowalkandtalk:
indeed，itsfacelookedolderthanCatherine\'s；yet，whenitwassetonitsfeet，itonlystaredround，andrepeatedoverandoveragainsomegibberish，thatnobodycouldunderstand。Iwasfrightened，andMrsEarnshawwasreadytoflingitoutofdoors:shedidflyup，askinghowhecouldfashiontobringthatgipsybratintothehouse，whentheyhadtheirownbairnstofeedandfendfor？Whathemeanttodowithit，andwhetherheweremad？
Themastertriedtoexplainthematter；buthewasreallyhalfdeadwithfatigue，andallthatIcouldmakeout，amongstherscolding，wasataleofhisseeingitstarving，andhouseless，andasgoodasdumb，inthestreetsofLiverpool；wherehepickeditupandinquiredforitsowner。Notasoulknewtowhomitbelonged，hesaid；andhismoneyandtimebeingbothlimited，hethoughtitbettertotakeithomewithhimatonce，thanrunintovainexpensesthere:becausehewasdeterminedhewouldnotleaveitashefoundit。Well，theconclusionwasthatmymistressgrumbledherselfcalm；andMrEarnshawtoldmetowashit，andgiveitcleanthings，andletitsleepwiththechildren。
HindleyandCathycontentedthemselveswithlookingandlisteningtillpeacewasrestored:then，bothbegansearchingtheirfather\'spocketsforthepresentshehadpromisedthem。Theformerwasaboyoffourteen，butwhenhedrewoutwhathadbeenafiddlecrushedtomorselsinthegreatcoat，heblubberedaloud；andCathy，whenshelearnedthemasterhadlostherwhipinattendingonthestranger，showedherhumourbygrinningandspittingatthestupidlittlething；earningforherpainsasoundblowfromherfathertoteachhercleanermanners。Theyentirelyrefusedtohaveitinbedwiththem，orevenintheirroom；andIhadnomoresense，soIputitonthelandingofthestairs，hopingitmightbegoneonthemorrow。
Bychance，orelseattractedbyhearinghisvoice，itcrepttoMrEarnshaw\'sdoor，andtherehefounditonquittinghischamber。Inquiriesweremadeastohowitgotthere；Iwasobligedtoconfess，andinrecompenseformycowardiceandinhumanitywassentoutofthehouse。
ThiswasHeathcliff\'sfirstintroductiontothefamily。Oncomingbackafewdaysafterwards(forIdidnotconsidermybanishmentperpetual)
Ifoundtheyhadchristenedhim`Heathcliff\':itwasthenameofasonwhodiedinchildhood，andithasservedhimeversince，bothforChristianandsurname。MissCathyandhewerenowverythick；butHindleyhatedhim!
andtosaythetruthIdidthesame；andweplaguedandwentonwithhimshamefully:forIwasn\'treasonableenoughtofeelmyinjustice，andthemistressneverputinawordonhisbehalfwhenshesawhimwronged。
Heseemedasullen，patientchild；hardened，perhaps，toill-treatment:
hewouldstandHindley\'sblowswithoutwinkingorsheddingatear，andmypinchesmovedhimonlytodrawinabreathandopenhiseyes，asifhehadhurthimselfbyaccidentandnobodywastoblame。ThisendurancemadeoldEarnshawfurious，whenhediscoveredhissonpersecutingthepoor，fatherlesschild，ashecalledhim。HetooktoHeathcliffstrangely，believingallhesaid(forthatmatter，hesaidpreciouslittle，andgenerallythetruth)，andpettinghimupfaraboveCathy，whowastoomischievousandwaywardforafavourite。
So，fromtheverybeginning，hebredbadfeelinginthehouse；
andatMrsEarnshaw\'sdeath，whichhappenedinlessthantwoyearsafter，theyoungmasterhadlearnedtoregardhisfatherasanoppressorratherthanafriend，andHeathcliffasausurperofhisparent\'saffectionsandhisprivileges；andhegrewbitterwithbroodingovertheseinjuries。I
sympathizedawhile；butwhenthechildrenfellillofthemeasles，andIhadtotendthem，andtakeonmethecaresofawomanatonce，Ichangedmyideas。Heathcliffwasdangerouslysick:andwhilehelayattheworsthewouldhavemeconstantlybyhispillow:IsupposehefeltIdidagooddealforhim，andhehadn\'twittoguessthatIwascompelledtodoit。
However，Iwillsaythis，hewasthequietestchildthatevernursewatchedover。Thedifferencebetweenhimandtheothersforcedmetobelesspartial。
Cathyandherbrotherharassedmeterribly:hewasasuncomplainingasalamb；thoughhardness，notgentleness，madehimgivelittletrouble。
Hegotthrough，andthedoctoraffirmeditwasinagreatmeasureowingtome，andpraisedmeformycare。Iwasvainofhiscommendations，andsoftenedtowardsthebeingbywhosemeansIearnedthem，andthusHindleylosthislastally:stillIcouldn\'tdoteonHeathcliff，andIwonderedoftenwhatmymastersawtoadmiresomuchinthesullenboy，whonever，tomyrecollection，repaidhisindulgencebyanysignofgratitude。Hewasnotinsolenttohisbenefactor，hewassimplyinsensible；thoughknowingperfectlytheholdhehadonhisheart，andconscioushehadonlytospeakandallthehousewouldbeobligedtobendtohiswishes。Asaninstance，IrememberMrEarnshawonceboughtacoupleofcoltsattheparishfair，andgavetheladseachone。Heathclifftookthehandsomest，butitsoonfelllame，andwhenhediscoveredit，hesaidtoHindley——
`Youmustexchangehorseswithme:Idon\'tlikemine；andifyouwon\'tIshalltellyourfatherofthethreethrashingsyou\'vegivenmethisweek，andshowhimmyarm，whichisblacktotheshoulder。\'Hindleyputouthistongueandcuffedhimovertheears。`You\'dbetterdoitatonce，\'hepersisted，escapingtotheporch(theywereinthestable):`youwillhaveto；andifIspeakoftheseblows，you\'llgetthemagainwithinterest。\'`Off，dog!\'criedHindley，threateninghimwithanironweightusedforweighingpotatoesandhay。`Throwit，\'hereplied，standingstill，`andthenI\'lltellhowyouboastedthatyouwouldturnmeoutofdoorsassoonashedied，andseewhetherhewillnotturnyououtdirectly。\'
Hindleythrewit，hittinghimonthebreast，anddownhefell，butstaggeredupimmediately，breathlessandwhite；and，hadnotIpreventedit，hewouldhavegonejustsotothemaster，andgotfullrevengebylettinghisconditionpleadforhim，intimatingwhohadcausedit。`Takemycolt，gipsy，then!\'
saidyoungEarnshaw。`AndIpraythathemaybreakyourneck:takehim，andbedamned，youbeggarlyinterloper!andwheedlemyfatheroutofallhehas:onlyafterwardsshowhimwhatyouare，impofSatan——Andtakethat，Ihopehe\'llkickoutyourbrains!\'
Heathcliffhadgonetoloosethebeast，andshiftittohisownstall；hewaspassingbehindit，whenHindleyfinishedhisspeechbyknockinghimunderitsfeet，andwithoutstoppingtoexaminewhetherhishopeswerefulfilled，ranawayasfastashecould。Iwassurprisedtowitnesshowcoollythechildgatheredhimselfup，andwentonwithhisintention；exchangingsaddlesandall，andthensittingdownonabundleofhaytoovercomethequalmwhichtheviolentblowoccasioned，beforeheenteredthehouse。I
persuadedhimeasilytoletmelaytheblameofhisbruisesonthehorse:
hemindedlittlewhattalewastoldsincehehadwhathewanted。Hecomplainedsoseldom，indeed，ofsuchstirsasthese，thatIreallythoughthimnotvindictive:Iwasdeceivedcompletely，asyouwillhear。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter5Inthecourseoftime，MrEarnshawbegantofail。Hehadbeenactiveandhealthy，yethisstrengthlefthimsuddenly；andwhenhewasconfinedtothechimneycomerhegrewgrievouslyirritable。Anothingvexedhim；andsuspectedslightsofhisauthoritynearlythrewhimintofits。Thiswasespeciallytoberemarkedifanyoneattemptedtoimposeupon，ordomineerover，hisfavourite:hewaspainfullyjealouslestawordshouldbespokenamisstohim；seemingtohavegotintohisheadthenotionthat，becausehelikedHeathcliff，allhated，andlongedtodohimanillturn。Itwasadisadvantagetothelad；forthekinderamongusdidnotwishtofretthemaster，sowehumouredhispartiality；andthathumouringwasrichnourishmenttothechild\'sprideandblacktempers。Stillitbecameinamannernecessary；twice，orthrice，Hindley\'smanifestationofscorn，whilehisfatherwasnear，rousedtheoldmantoafury:heseizedhissticktostrikehim，andshookwithragethathecouldnotdoit。
Atlast，ourcurate(wehadacuratethenwhomadethelivinganswerbyteachingthelittleLintonsandEarnshaws，andfarminghisbitoflandhimself)，headvisedthattheyoungmanshouldbesenttocollege；
andMrEarnshawagreed，thoughwithaheavyspirit，forhesaid——`Hindleywasnought，andwouldneverthriveaswherehewandered。\'
Ihopedheartilyweshouldhavepeacenow。Ithurtmetothinkthemastershouldbemadeuncomfortablebyhisowngooddeed。Ifanciedthediscontentofageanddiseasearosefromhisfamilydisagreements:
ashewouldhaveitthatitdid:really，youknow，sir，itwasinhissinkingframe。Wemighthavegotontolerably，notwithstanding，butfortwopeople，MissCathyandJoseph，theservant:yousawhim，Idaresay，upyonder。
Hewas，andisyetmostlikely，thewearisomestself-righteousPhariseethateverransackedaBibletorakethepromisestohimselfandflingthecursesonhisneighbours。Byhisknackofsermonizingandpiousdiscoursing，hecontrivedtomakeagreatimpressiononMrEarnshaw；andthemorefeeblethemasterbecame，themoreinfluencehegained。Hewasrelentlessinworryinghimabouthissoul\'sconcerns，andaboutrulinghischildrenrigidly。HeencouragedhimtoregardHindleyasareprobate；and，nightafternight，heregularlygrumbledoutalongstringoftalesagainstHeathcliffandCatherine:alwaysmindingtoflatterEarnshaw\'sweaknessbyheapingtheheaviestblameonthelast。
Certainly，shehadwayswithhersuchasIneversawachildtakeupbefore；andsheputallofuspastourpatiencefiftytimesandoftenerinaday:fromthehourshecamedownstairstillthehourshewenttobed，wehadnotaminute\'ssecuritythatshewouldn\'tbeinmischief。Herspiritswerealwaysathigh-watermark，hertonguealwaysgoing——singing，laughing，andplaguingeverybodywhowouldnotdothesame。Awild，wickedslipshewas——butshehadthebonniesteye，thesweetestsmile，andlightestfootintheparish；and，afterall，Ibelieveshemeantnoharm；forwhenonceshemadeyoucryingoodearnest，itseldomhappenedthatshewouldnotkeepyoucompany，andobligeyoutobequietthatyoumightcomforther。
ShewasmuchtoofondofHeathcliff。Thegreatestpunishmentwecouldinventforherwastokeepherseparatefromhim:yetshegotchidedmorethananyofusonhisaccount。Inplay，shelikedexceedinglytoactthelittlemistress；usingherhandsfreely，andcommandinghercompanions:shedidsotome，butIwouldnotbearshoppingandordering；andsoIletherknow。
Now，MrEarnshawdidnotunderstandjokesfromhischildren:hehadalwaysbeenstrictandgravewiththem；andCatherine，onherpart，hadnoideawhyherfathershouldbecrosserandlesspatientinhisailingcondition，thanhewasinhisprime。Hispeevishreproofswakenedinheranaughtydelighttoprovokehim:shewasneversohappyaswhenwewereallscoldingheratonce，andshedefyinguswithherbold，saucylook，andherreadywordsturningJoseph\'sreligiouscursesintoridicule，baitingme，anddoingjustwhatherfatherhatedmost——showinghowherpretendedinsolence，whichhethoughtreal，hadmorepoweroverHeathcliffthanhiskindness:howtheboywoulddoherbiddinginanything，andhisonlywhenitsuitedhisowninclination。Afterbehavingasbadlyaspossibleallday，shesometimescamefondlingtomakeitupatnight。`Nay，Cathy，\'
theoldmanwouldsay，`Icannotlovethee；thou\'rtworsethanthybrother。
Go，saythyprayers，child，andaskGod\'spardon。IdoubtthymotherandImustruethatweeverrearedthee!\'Thatmadehercry，atfirst:andthenbeingrepulsedcontinuallyhardenedher，andshelaughedifItoldhertosayshewassorryforherfaults，andbegtobeforgiven。
Butthehourcame，atlast，thatendedMrEarnshaw\'stroublesonearth。HediedquietlyinhischaironeOctoberevening，seatedbythefireside。Ahighwindblusteredroundthehouse，androaredinthechimney:
itsoundedwildandstormy，yetitwasnotcold，andwewerealltogether——I，alittleremovedfromthehearth，busyatmyknitting，andJosephreadinghisBiblenearthetable(fortheservantsgenerallysatinthehousethen，aftertheirworkwasdone)。MissCathyhadbeensick，andthatmadeherstill；sheleantagainstherfather\'sknee，andHeathcliffwaslyingonthefloorwithhisheadinherlap。Irememberthemaster，beforehefellintoadoze，strokingherbonnyhairitpleasedhimrarelytoseehergentle——andsaying——`Whycanstthounotalwaysbeagoodlass，Cathy？\'Andsheturnedherfaceuptohis，andlaughed，andanswered，`Whycannotyoualwaysbeagoodman，father？\'Butassoonasshesawhimvexedagain，shekissedhishand，andsaidshewouldsinghimtosleep。Shebegansingingverylow，tillhisfingersdroppedfromhers，andhisheadsankonhisbreast。
ThenItoldhertohush，andnotstir，forfearsheshouldwakehim。Weallkeptasmuteasmiceafullhalf-hour，andshouldhavedonelonger，onlyJoseph，havingfinishedhischapter，gotupandsaidthathemustrousethemasterforprayersandbed。Hesteppedforward，andcalledhimbyname，andtouchedhisshoulder；buthewouldnotmove，sohetookthecandleandlookedathim。Ithoughttherewassomethingwrongashesetdownthelight；andseizingthechildreneachbyanarm，whisperedthemto`frameupstairs，andmakelittledin——theymightprayalonethatevening——hehadsummuttodo\'。
`Ishallbidfathergoodnightfirst，\'saidCatherine，puttingherarmsroundhisneck，beforewecouldhinderher。Thepoorthingdiscoveredherlossdirectly——shescreamedout——`Oh，he\'sdead，Heathcliff!he\'sdead!\'
Andtheybothsetupaheart-breakingcry。
Ijoinedmywailtotheirs，loudandbitter；butJosephaskedwhatwecouldbethinkingoftoroarinthatwayoverasaintinheaven。
HetoldmetoputonmycloakandruntoGimmertonforthedoctorandtheparson。Icouldnotguesstheusethateitherwouldbeof，then。However，Iwent，throughwindandrain，andbroughtone，thedoctor，backwithme；
theothersaidhewouldcomeinthemorning。leavingJosephtoexplainmatters，Irantothechildren\'sroom:theirdoorwasajar，Isawtheyhadneverlaiddown，thoughitwaspastmidnight；buttheywerecalmer，anddidnotneedmetoconsolethem。ThelittlesoulswerecomfortingeachotherwithbetterthoughtsthanIcouldhavehiton:noparsonintheworldeverpicturedheavensobeautifullyastheydid，intheirinnocenttalk:
and，whileIsobbedandlistened，Icouldnothelpwishingwewerealltheresafetogether。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter6MrHindleycamehometothefuneral；and——athingthatamazedus，andsettheneighboursgossipingrightandleft——hebroughtawifewithhim。Whatshewas，andwhereshewasborn，heneverinformedus:probablyshehadneithermoneynornametorecommendher，orhewouldscarcelyhavekepttheunionfromhisfather。
Shewasnotonethatwouldhavedisturbedthehousemuchonherownaccount。Everyobjectshesaw，themomentshecrossedthethreshold，appearedtodelighther；andeverycircumstancethattookplaceabouther:
exceptthepreparingfortheburial，andthepresenceofthemourners。
Ithoughtshewashalfsilly，fromherbehaviourwhilethatwenton:sheranintoherchamber，andmademecomewithher，thoughIshouldhavebeendressingthechildren；andthereshesatshiveringandclaspingherhands，andaskingrepeatedly:`Aretheygoneyet？\'Thenshebegandescribingwithhystericalemotiontheeffectitproducedonhertoseeblack；andstarted，andtrembled，and，atlast，fella-weeping-andwhenIaskedwhatwasthematter？answered，shedidn\'tknow；butshefeltsoafraidofdying!Iimaginedheraslittlelikelytodieasmyself。Shewasratherthin，butyoung，andfresh-complexioned，andhereyessparkledasbrightasdiamonds。I
didremark，tobesure，thatmountingthestairsmadeherbreatheveryquick:thattheleastsuddennoisesetherallinaquiver，andthatshecoughedtroublesomelysometimes:butIknewnothingofwhatthesesymptomsportended，andhadnoimpulsetosympathizewithher。Wedon\'tingeneraltaketoforeignershere，MrLockwood，unlesstheytaketousfirst。
YoungEarnshawwasalteredconsiderablyinthethreeyearsofhisabsence。Hehadgrownsparer，andlosthiscolour，andspokeanddressedquitedifferently；and，ontheverydayofhisreturn，hetoldJosephandmewemustthenceforthquarterourselvesinthebackkitchen，andleavethehouseforhim。Indeed，hewouldhavecarpetedandpaperedasmallspareroomforaparlour；buthiswifeexpressedsuchpleasureatthewhitefloorandhugeglowingfireplace，atthepewterdishesanddelfcase，anddogkennel，andthewidespacetherewastomoveaboutinwheretheyusuallysat，thathethoughtitunnecessarytohercomfort，andsodroppedtheintention。
Sheexpressedpleasure，too，atfindingasisteramonghernewacquaintance；andsheprattledtoCatherine，andkissedher，andranaboutwithher，andgaveherquantitiesofpresents，atthebeginning。Heraffectiontiredverysoon，however，andwhenshegrewpeevish，Hindleybecametyrannical。
Afewwordsfromher，evincingadisliketoHeathcliff，wereenoughtorouseinhimallhisoldhatredoftheboy。Hedrovehimfromtheircompanytotheservants，deprivedhimoftheinstructionsofthecurate，andinsistedthatheshouldlabouroutofdoorsinstead；compellinghimtodosoashardasanyotherladonthefarm。
Heathcliffborehisdegradationprettywellatfirst，becauseCathytaughthimwhatshelearnt，andworkedorplayedwithhiminthefields。Theybothpromisedfairtogrowupasrudeassavages；theyoungmasterbeingentirelynegligenthowtheybehaved，andwhattheydid，sotheykeptclearofhim。HewouldnotevenhaveseenaftertheirgoingtochurchonSundays，onlyJosephandthecuratereprimandedhiscarelessnesswhentheyabsentedthemselves；andthatremindedhimtoorderHeathcliffaflogging，andCatherineafastfromdinnerorsupper。Butitwasoneoftheirchiefamusementstorunawaytothemoorsinthemorningandremainthereallday，andtheafterpunishmentgrewamerethingtolaughat。
ThecuratemightsetasmanychaptersashepleasedforCatherinetogetbyheart，andJosephmightthrashHeathclifftillhisarmached；theyforgoteverythingtheminutetheyweretogetheragain:atleasttheminutetheyhadcontrivedsomenaughtyplanofrevenge；andmanyatimeI\'vecriedtomyselftowatchthemgrowingmorerecklessdaily，andInotdaringtospeakasyllable，forfearoflosingthesmallpowerIstillretainedovertheunfriendedcreatures。OneSundayevening，itchancedthattheywerebanishedfromthesitting-room，formakinganoise，oralightoffenceofthekind；andwhenIwenttocallthemtosupper，Icoulddiscoverthemnowhere。Wesearchedthehouse，aboveandbelow，andtheyardandstables；
theywereinvisible:andatlast，Hindleyinapassiontoldustoboltthedoors，andsworenobodyshouldlettheminthatnight。Thehouseholdwenttobed；andI\'tooanxioustoliedown，openedmylatticeandputmyheadouttohearken，thoughitrained:determinedtoadmittheminspiteoftheprohibition，shouldtheyreturn。Inawhile，Idistinguishedstepscominguptheroad，andthelightofalanternglimmeredthroughthegate。
IthrewashawlovermyheadandrantopreventthemfromwakingMrEarnshawbyknocking。TherewasHeathcliff，byhimself:itgavemeastarttoseehimalone。
`WhereisMissCatherine？\'Icriedhurriedly。`Noaccident，I
hope？\'
`AtThrushcrossGrange，\'heanswered；`andIwouldhavebeentheretoo，buttheyhadnotthemannerstoaskmetostay。`Well，youwillcatchit!\'Isaid:`you\'llneverbecontenttillyou\'resentaboutyourbusiness。
WhatintheworldledyouwanderingtoThrushcrossGrange？\'
`Letmegetoffmywetclothes，andI\'lltellyouallaboutit，Nelly，\'hereplied。Ibidhimbewareofrousingthemaster，andwhileheundressedandIwaitedtoputoutthecandle，hecontinued——`CathyandIescapedfromthewash-housetohavearambleatliberty，andgettingaglimpseoftheGrangelights，wethoughtwewouldjustgoandseewhethertheLintonspassedtheirSundayeveningsstandingshiveringincorners，whiletheirfatherandmothersateatinganddrinking，andsingingandlaughing；andburningtheireyesoutbeforethefire。Doyouthinktheydo？Orreadingsermons，andbeingcatechizedbytheirmanservant，andsettolearnacolumnofScripturenames，iftheydon\'tanswerproperly？\'
`Probablynot，\'Iresponded。`Theyaregoodchildren，nodoubt，anddon\'tdeservethetreatmentyoureceive，foryourbadconduct。\'
`Don\'tyoucant，Nelly，\'hesaid:`nonsense!WeranfromthetopoftheHeightstothepark，withoutstopping——Catherinecompletelybeatenintherace，becauseshewasbarefoot。You\'llhavetoseekforhershoesinthebogtomorrow。Wecreptthroughabrokenhedge，gropedourwayupthepath，andplantedourselvesonaflowerplotunderthedrawing-roomwindow。Thelightcamefromthence；theyhadnotputuptheshutters，andthecurtainswereonlyhalfclosed。Bothofuswereabletolookinbystandingonthebasement，andclingingtotheledge，andwesaw——ah!itwasbeautiful——asplendidplacecarpetedwithcrimson，andcrimson-coveredchairsandtables，andapurewhiteceilingborderedbygold，ashowerofglassdropshanginginsilverchainsfromthecentre，andshimmeringwithlittlesofttapers。OldMrandMrsLintonwerenotthere；Edgarandhissisterhaditentirelytothemselves。Shouldn\'ttheyhavebeenhappy？
Weshouldhavethoughtourselvesinheaven!Andnow，guesswhatyourgoodchildrenweredoing？Isabella——Ibelievesheiseleven，ayearyoungerthanCathy——layscreamingatthefartherendoftheroom，shriekingasifwitcheswererunningred-hotneedlesintoher。Edgarstoodonthehearthweepingsilently，andinthemiddleofthetablesatalittledog，shakingitspawandyelping；which，fromtheirmutualaccusations，weunderstoodtheyhadnearlypulledintwobetweenthem。Theidiots!Thatwastheirpleasure!toquarrelwhoshouldholdaheapofwarmhair，andeachbegintocrybecauseboth，afterstrugglingtogetit，refusedtotakeit。Welaughedoutrightatthepettedthings；wediddespisethem!WhenwouldyoucatchmewishingtohavewhatCatherinewanted？orfindusbyourselves，seekingentertainmentinyelling，andsobbing，androllingontheground，dividedbythewholeroom？I\'dnotexchange，forathousandlives，myconditionhere，forEdgarLinton\'satThrushcrossGrange——notifImighthavetheprivilegeofflinging——Josephoffthehighestgable，andpaintingthehouse-frontwithHindley\'sblood!\'
`Hush，hush!\'Iinterrupted。`Stillyouhavenottoldme，Heathcliff，howCatherineisleftbehind？\'
`Itoldyouwelaughed，\'heanswered。`TheLintonsheardus，andwithoneaccord，theyshotlikearrowstothedoor；therewassilence，andthenacry，\"Oh，mamma，mamma!Oh，papa!Oh，mamma，comehere。Oh，papa，oh!\"Theyreallydidhowloutsomethinginthatway。Wemadefrightfulnoisestoterrifythemstillmore，andthenwedroppedofftheledge，becausesomebodywasdrawingthebars，andwefeltwehadbetterflee。IhadCathybythehand，andwasurgingheron，whenallatonceshefelldown。\"Run，Heathcliff，run!\"shewhispered。\"Theyhaveletthebulldogloose，andheholdsme!\"Thedevilhadseizedherankle，Nelly:Iheardhisabominablesnorting。Shedidnotyellout——no!shewouldhavescornedtodoit，ifshehadbeenspittedonthehornsofamadcow。Idid，though!IvociferatedcursesenoughtoannihilateanyfiendinChristendom；andIgotastoreandthrustitbetweenhisjaws，andtriedwithallmymighttocramitdownhisthroat。Abeastofaservantcameupwithalantern，atlast，shouting——\"Keepfast，Skulker，keepfast!\"Hechangedhisnote，however——whenhesawSkulker\'sgame。Thedogwasthrottledoff；hishuge，purpletonguehanginghalfafootoutofhismouth，andhispendentlipsstreamingwithbloodyslaver。ThemantookCathyup:shewassick:notfromfear，I\'mcertain，butfrompain。Hecarriedherin；Ifollowed，grumblingexecrationsandvengeance。\"Whatprey，Robert？\"hallooedLintonfromtheentrance。
\"Skulkerhascaughtalittlegirl，sir，\"hereplied；\"andthere\'saladhere\"，headded，makingaclutchatme，\"wholooksanout-and-outer!Verylike，therobberswereforputtingthemthroughthewindowtoopenthedoorstothegangafterallwereasleep，thattheymightmurderusattheirease。Holdyourtongue，youfoul-mouthedthief，you!youshallgotothegallowsforthis。MrLinton，sir，don\'tlaybyyourgun。\"\"No，no，Robert，\"
saidtheoldfool。\"Therascalsknewthatyesterdaywasmyrentday:theythoughttohavemecleverly。Comein；I\'llfurnishthemareception。There，John，fastenthechain。GiveSkulkersomewater，Jenny。Tobeardamagistrateinhisstronghold，andontheSabbath，too!Wherewilltheirinsolencestop？Oh，mydearMary，lookhere!Don\'tbeafraid，itisbutaboy——yetthevillainscowlssoplainlyinhisface；woulditnotbeakindnesstothecountrytohanghimatonce，beforeheshowshisnatureinactsaswellasfeatures？\"Hepulledmeunderthechandelier，andMrsLintonplacedherspectaclesonhernoseandraisedherhandsinhorror。Thecowardlychildrencreptneareralso，Isabellalisping——\"Frightfulthing!Puthiminthecellar，papa。He\'sexactlylikethesonofthefortune-tellerthatstolemytamepheasant。Isn\'the，Edgar？\"
`Whiletheyexaminedme，Cathycameround；sheheardthelastspeech，andlaughed。EdgarLinton，afteraninquisitivestare，collectedsufficientwittorecognizeher。Theyseeusatchurch，youknow，thoughweseldommeetthemelsewhere。\"That\'sMissEarnshaw!\"hewhisperedtohismother，\"andlookhowSkulkerhasbittenher——howherfootbleeds!\"
\"MissEarnshaw？Nonsense!\"criedthedame；\"MissEarnshawscouringthecountrywithagipsy!Andyet，mydear，thechildisinmourning——surelyitis——andshemaybelamedforlife!\"
\"Whatculpablecarelessnessinherbrother!\"exclaimedMrLinton，turningfrommetoCatherine。\"I\'veunderstoodfromShielders\"(thatwasthecurate，sir)\"thatheletshergrowupinabsoluteheathenism。Butwhoisthis？Wheredidshepickupthiscompanion？Oho!Ideclareheisthatstrangeacquisitionmylateneighbourmade，inhisjourneytoLiverpool——alittleLascar，oranAmericanorSpanishcastaway。\"
\"Awickedboy，atallevents，\"remarkedtheoldlady，\"andquiteunfitforadecenthouse!Didyounoticehislanguage，Linton？I\'mshockedthatmychildrenshouldhaveheardit。\"
`Irecommencedcursing——don\'tbeangry，Nelly——andsoRobertwasorderedtotakemeoff。IrefusedtogowithoutCathy；hedraggedmeintothegarden，pushedthelanternintomyhand，assuredmethatMrEarnshawshouldbeinformedofmybehaviour，and，biddingmemarchdirectly，securedthedooragain。Thecurtainswerestillloopedupatonecomer，andIresumedmystationasspy；because，ifCatherinehadwishedtoreturn，Iintendedshatteringtheirgreatglasspanestoamillionoffragments，unlesstheyletherout。Shesatonthesofaquietly。MrsLintontookoffthegreycloakofthedairymaidwhichwehadborrowedforourexcursion，shakingherheadandexpostulatingwithher，Isuppose:shewasayounglady，andtheymadeadistinctionbetweenhertreatmentandmine。Thenthewoman-servantbroughtabasinofwarmwater，andwashedherfeet；andMrLintonmixedatumblerofnegus，andIsabellaemptiedaplatefulofcakesintoherlap，andEdgarstoodgapingatadistance。Afterwards，theydriedandcombedherbeautifulhair，andgaveherapairofenormousslippers，andwheeledhertothefire；andIlefther，asmerryasshecouldbe，dividingherfoodbetweenthelittledogandSkulker，whosenoseshepinchedasheate；
andkindlingasparkofspiritinthevacantblueeyesoftheLintons——adimreflectionfromherownenchantingface。Isawtheywerefullofstupidadmiration；sheissoimmeasurablysuperiortothem——toeverybodyonearth，isshenot，Nelly？\'
`Therewillmorecomeofthisbusinessthanyoureckonon，\'I
answered，coveringhimupandextinguishingthelight。`Youareincurable，Heathcliff；andMrHindleywillhavetoproceedtoextremities，seeifhewon\'t。\'MywordscametruerthanIdesired。ThelucklessadventuremadeEarnshawfurious。AndthenMrLinton，tomendmatters，paidusavisithimselfonthemorrow；andreadtheyoungmastersuchalectureontheroadheguidedhisfamily，thathewasstirredtolookabouthim，inearnest。
Heathcliffreceivednoflogging，buthewastoldthatthefirstwordhespoketoMissCatherineshouldensureadismissal；andMrsEarnshawundertooktokeephersister-in-lawinduerestraintwhenshereturnedhome；employingart，notforce:withforceshewouldhavefounditimpossible。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter7CathystayedatThrushcrossGrangefiveweeks:tillChristmas。Bythattimeheranklewasthoroughlycured，andhermannersmuchimproved。Themistressvisitedheroftenintheinterval，andcommencedherplanofreformbytryingtoraiseherself-respectwithfineclothesandflattery，whichshetookreadily；sothat，insteadofawild，hatlesslittlesavagejumpingintothehouse，andrushingtosqueezeusallbreathless，therealightedfromahandsomeblackponyaverydignifiedperson，withbrownringletsfallingfromthecoverofafeatheredbeaver，andalongclothhabit，whichshewasobligedtoholdupwithbothhandsthatshemightsailin。Hindleyliftedherfromherhorse，exclaimingdelightedly，`Why，Cathy，youarequiteabeauty!Ishouldscarcelyhaveknownyou:youlooklikealadynow。IsabellaLintonisnottobecomparedwithher，isshe，Frances？\'
`Isabellahasnothernaturaladvantages，\'repliedhiswife:`butshemustmindandnotgrowwildagainhere。Ellen，helpMiss###第3章
Catherineoffwithherthings——stay，dear，youwilldisarrangeyourcurls——letmeuntieyourhat。\'
Iremovedthehabit，andthereshoneforth，beneathagrandplaidsilkfrock，whitetrousers，andburnishedshoes；and，whilehereyessparkledjoyfullywhenthedogscameboundinguptowelcomeher，shedarehardlytouchthemlesttheyshouldfawnuponhersplendidgarments。Shekissedmegently:IwasallflourmakingtheChristmascake，anditwouldnothavedonetogivemeahug；and，then，shelookedroundforHeathcliff。
MrandMrsEarnshawwatchedanxiouslytheirmeeting；thinkingitwouldenablethemtojudge，insomemeasure，whatgroundstheyhadforhopingtosucceedinseparatingthetwofriends。
Heathcliffwashardtodiscover，atfirst。Ifhewerecareless，anduncaredfor，beforeCatherine\'sabsence，hehadbeententimesmoreso，since。NobodybutIevendidhimthekindnesstocallhimadirtyboy，andbidhimwashhimself，onceaweek；andchildrenofhisageseldomhaveanaturalpleasureinsoapandwater。Therefore，nottomentionhisclothes，whichhadseenthreemonths\'serviceinmireanddust，andhisthickuncombedhair，thesurfaceofhisfaceandhandswasdismallybeclouded。Hemightwellskulkbehindthesettle，onbeholdingsuchabright，gracefuldamselenterthehouse，insteadofarough-headedcounterpartofhimself，asheexpected。`IsHeathcliffnothere？\'shedemanded，pullingoffhergloves，anddisplayingfingerswonderfullywhitenedwithdoingnothingandstayingindoors。
`Heathcliff，youmaycomeforward，\'criedMrHindley，enjoyinghisdiscomfiture，andgratifiedtoseewhataforbiddingyoungblackguardhewouldbecompelledtopresenthimself。`YoumaycomeandwishMissCatherinewelcome，liketheotherservants。\'
Cathy，catchingaglimpseofherfriendinhisconcealment，flewtoembracehim；shebestowedsevenoreightkissesonhischeekwithinthesecond，andthenstopped，anddrawingback，burstintoalaugh，exclaiming，`Why，howveryblackandcrossyoulook!andhow——howfunnyandgrim!Butthat\'sbecauseI\'musedtoEdgarandIsabellaLinton。Well，Heathcliff，haveyouforgottenme？\'
Shehadsomereasontoputthequestion，forshameandpridethrewdoublegloomoverhiscountenance，andkepthimimmovable。
`Shakehands，Heathcliff，\'saidMrEarnshaw，condescendingly；
`onceinaway，thatispermitted。\'
`Ishallnot，\'repliedtheboy，findinghistongueatlast；`I
shallnotstandtobelaughedat。Ishallnotbearit!\'
Andhewouldhavebrokenfromthecircle，butMissCathyseizedhimagain。
`Ididnotmeantolaughatyou，\'shesaid；`Icouldnothindermyself:Heathcliff，shakehandsatleast!Whatareyousulkyfor？Itwasonlythatyoulookedodd。Ifyouwashyourfaceandbrushyourhair，itwillbeallright:butyouaresodirty!\'
Shegazedconcernedlyattheduskyfingerssheheldinherown，andalsoatherdress；whichshefearedhadgainednoembellishmentfromitscontactwithhis。
`Youneedn\'thavetouchedme!\'heanswered，followinghereyeandsnatchingawayhishand。`IshallbeasdirtyasIplease:andIliketobedirty，andIwillbedirty。\'
Withthathedashedheadforemostoutoftheroom，amidthemerrimentofthemasterandmistress，andtotheseriousdisturbanceofCatherine；
whocouldnotcomprehendhowherremarksshouldhaveproducedsuchanexhibitionofbadtemper。
Afterplayinglady\'s-maidtothenewcomer，andputtingmycakesintheoven，andmakingthehouseandkitchencheerfulwithgreatfires，befittingChristmaseve，Ipreparedtositdownandamusemyselfbysingingcarols，allalone；regardlessofJoseph\'saffirmationsthatheconsideredthemerrytunesIchoseasnextdoortosongs。Hehadretiredtoprivateprayerinhischamber，andMrandMrsEarnshawwereengagingMissy\'sattentionbysundrygaytriflesboughtforhertopresenttothelittleLintons，asanacknowledgmentoftheirkindness。TheyhadinvitedthemtospendthemorrowatWutheringHeights，andtheinvitationhadbeenaccepted，ononecondition:MrsLintonbeggedthatherdarlingsmustbekeptcarefullyapartfromthat`naughtyswearingboy\'。
UnderthesecircumstancesIremainedsolitary。Ismelttherichscentoftheheatingspices；andadmiredtheshiningkitchenutensils，thepolishedclock，deckedinholly，thesilvermugsrangedonatrayreadytobefilledwithmulledaleforsupper；andaboveall，thespecklesspurityofmyparticularcare——thescouredandwell-sweptfloor。Igavedueinwardapplausetoeveryobject，andthenIrememberedhowoldEarnshawusedtocomeinwhenallwastidied，andcallmeacantlass，andslipashillingintomyhandasaChristmasbox；andfromthatIwentontothinkofhisfondnessforHeathcliff，andhisdreadlestheshouldsufferneglectafterdeathhadremovedhim；andthatnaturallyledmetoconsiderthepoorlad\'ssituationnow，andfromsingingIchangedmymindtocrying。Itstruckmesoon，however，therewouldbemoresenseinendeavouringtorepairsomeofhiswrongsthansheddingtearsoverthem:Igotupandwalkedintothecourttoseekhim。Hewasnotfar；Ifoundhimsmoothingtheglossycoatofthenewponyinthestable，andfeedingtheotherbeasts，accordingtocustom。
`Makehaste，Heathcliff!\'Isaid，`thekitchenissocomfortable；
andJosephisupstairs:makehaste，andletmedressyousmartbeforeMissCathycomesout，andthenyoucansittogether，withthewholehearthtoyourselves，andhavealongchattertillbedtime。\'
Heproceededwithhistaskandneverturnedhisheadtowardsme。
`Come——areyoucoming？\'Icontinued。`There\'salittlecakeforeachofyou，nearlyenough；andyou\'llneedhalfanhour\'sdonning。\'
Iwaitedfiveminutes，butgettingnoanswer，lefthim。Catherinesuppedwithherbrotherandsister-in-law:JosephandIjoinedinanunsociablemeal，seasonedwithreproofsononesideandsaucinessontheother。Hiscakeandcheeseremainedonthetableallnightforthefairies。Hemanagedtocontinueworktillnineo\'clock，andthenmarcheddumbanddourtohischamber。Cathysatuplate，havingaworldofthingstoorderforthereceptionofhernewfriends:shecameintothekitchenoncetospeaktoheroldone；buthewasgone，andsheonlystayedtoaskwhatwasthematterwithhim，andthenwentback。Inthemorningheroseearly；andasitwasaholidaycarriedhisillhumourontothemoors；notreappearingtillthefamilyweredepartedforchurch。Fastingandreflectionseemedtohavebroughthimtoabetterspirit。Hehungaboutmeforawhile，andhavingscreweduphiscourage，exclaimedabruptly:
`Nelly，makemedecent，I\'mgoingtobegood。\'
`Hightime，Heathcliff，\'Isaid；`youhavegrievedCatherine:
she\'ssorrysheevercamehome，Idaresay!Itlooksasifyouenviedher，becausesheismorethoughtofthanyou。\'
ThenotionofenvyingCatherinewasincomprehensibletohim，butthenotionofgrievingherheunderstoodclearlyenough。
`Didshesayshewasgrieved？\'heinquired，lookingveryserious。
`ShecriedwhenItoldheryouwereoffagainthismorning。\'
`Well，Icriedlastnight，\'hereturned，`andIhadmorereasontocrythanshe。\'
`Yes:youhadthereasonofgoingtobedwithaproudheartandanemptystomach，\'saidI。`Proudpeoplebreedsadsorrowsforthemselves。
But，ifyoubeashamedofyourtouchiness，youmustaskpardon，mind，whenshecomesin。Youmustgoupandoffertokissher，andsay——youknowbestwhattosay；onlydoitheartily，andnotasifyouthoughtherconvertedintoastrangerbyhergranddress。Andnow，thoughIhavedinnertogetready，I\'llstealtimetoarrangeyousothatEdgarLintonshalllookquiteadollbesideyou:andthathedoes。Youareyounger，andyet，I\'llbebound，youaretallerandtwiceasbroadacrosstheshoulders:youcouldknockhimdowninatwinkling？don\'tyoufeelthatyoucould？\'
Heathcliff\'sfacebrightenedamoment；thenitwasovercastafresh，andhesighed。
`But，Nelly，ifIknockedhimdowntwentytimes，thatwouldn\'tmakehimlesshandsomeormemoreso。IwishIhadlighthairandafairskin，andwasdressedandbehavedaswell，andhadachanceofbeingasrichashewillbe!\'
`Andcriedformammaateveryturn，\'Iadded，`andtrembledifacountryladheavedhisfistagainstyou，andsatathomealldayforashowerofrain。Oh，Heathcliff，youareshowingapoorspirit!Cometotheglass，andI\'llletyouseewhatyoushouldwish。Doyoumarkthosetwolinesbetweenyoureyes；andthosethickbrows，thatinsteadofrisingarched，sinkinthemiddle；andthatcoupleofblackfiends，sodeeplyburied，whoneveropentheirwindowsboldly，butlurkglintingunderthem，likedevil\'sspies？Wishandlearntosmoothawaythesurlywrinkles，toraiseyourlidsfrankly，andchangethefiendstoconfident，innocentangels，suspectinganddoubtingnothing，andalwaysseeingfriendswheretheyarenotsureoffoes。Don\'tgettheexpressionofaviciouscurthatappearstoknowthekicksitgetsareitsdesert，andyethatesalltheworldaswellasthekicker，forwhatitsuffers。\'
`Inotherwords，ImustwishforEdgarLinton\'sgreatblueeyesandevenforehead，\'hereplied。`Ido——andthatwon\'thelpmetothem。\'
`Agoodheartwillhelpyoutoabonnyface，mylad，\'Icontinued，`ifyouwerearegularblack；andabadonewillturnthebonniestintosomethingworsethanugly。Andnowthatwe\'vedonewashing，andcombing，andsulking——tellmewhetheryoudon\'tthinkyourselfratherhandsome？
I\'lltellyou，Ido。You\'refitforaprinceindisguise。WhoknowsbutyourfatherwasEmperorofChina，andyourmotheranIndianqueen，eachofthemabletobuyup，withoneweek\'sincome，WutheringHeightsandThrushcrossGrangetogether？AndyouwerekidnappedbywickedsailorsandbroughttoEngland。WereIinyourplace，Iwouldframehighnotionsofmybirth；
andthethoughtsofwhatIwasshouldgivemecourageanddignitytosupporttheoppressionsofalittlefarmer!\'
SoIchatteredon；andHeathcliffgraduallylosthisfrownandbegantolookquitepleasant，whenallatonceourconversationwasinterruptedbyarumblingsoundmovinguptheroadandenteringthecourt。HerantothewindowandItothedoor，justintimetobeholdthetwoLintonsdescendfromthefamilycarriage，smotheredincloaksandfurs，andtheEarnshawsdismountfromtheirhorses:theyoftenrodetochurchinwinter。Catherinetookahandofeachofthechildren，andbroughtthemintothehouseandsetthembeforethefire，whichquicklyputcolourintotheirwhitefaces。
Iurgedmycompaniontohastennowandshowhisamiablehumour，andhewillinglyobeyed；butillluckwouldhaveitthat，asheopenedthedoorleadingfromthekitchenononeside，Hindleyopeneditontheother。Theymet，andthemaster，irritatedatseeinghimcleanandcheerful；
or，perhaps，eagertokeephispromisetoMrsLinton，shovedhimbackwithasuddenthrust，andangrilybadeJoseph`keepthefellowoutoftheroom——sendhimintothegarrettilldinnerisover。He\'llbecramminghisfingersinthetartsandstealingthefruit，ifleftalonewiththemaminute。\'
`Nay，sir，\'Icouldnotavoidanswering，`he\'lltouchnothing，nothe:andIsupposehemusthavehisshareofthedaintiesaswellaswe。\'
`Heshallhavehisshareofmyhand，ifIcatchhimdownstairsagaintilldark，\'criedHindley。`Begone，youvagabond!What!youareattemptingthecoxcomb，areyou？WaittillIgetholdofthoseelegantlocks——seeifIwon\'tpullthemabitlonger。\'
`Theyarelongenough，already，\'observedMasterLinton，peepingfromthedoorway；`Iwondertheydon\'tmakehisheadache。It\'slikeacolt\'smaneoverhiseyes!\'
Heventuredhisremarkwithoutanyintentiontoinsult；butHeathcliff\'sviolentnaturewasnotpreparedtoenduretheappearanceofimpertinencefromonewhomheseemedtohate，eventhen，asarival。Heseizedatureenofhotapplesauce(thefirstthingthatcameunderhisgripe)anddasheditfullagainstthespeaker\'sfaceandneck；whoinstantlycommencedalamentthatbroughtIsabellaandCatherinehurryingtotheplace。MrEarnshawsnatcheduptheculpritdirectlyandconveyedhimtohischamber；where，doubtless，headministeredaroughremedytocoolthefitofpassion，forhereappearedredandbreathless。Igotthedish-clothandratherspitefullyscrubbedEdgar\'snoseandmouth，affirmingitservedhimrightformeddling。
Hissisterbeganweepingtogohome，andCathystoodbyconfounded，blushingforall。
`Youshouldnothavespokentohim!\'sheexpostulatedwithMasterLinton。`Hewasinabadtemper，andnowyou\'vespoiltyourvisit；andhe\'llbeflogged:Ihatehimtobeflogged!Ican\'teatmydinner。Whydidyouspeaktohim，Edgar？\'
`Ididn\'t，\'sobbedtheyouth，escapingfrommyhands，andfinishingtheremainderofthepurificationwithhiscambricpockethandkerchief。
`IpromisedmammathatIwouldn\'tsayonewordtohim，andIdidn\'t。\'
`Well，don\'tcry，\'repliedCatherine，contemptuously，`you\'renotkilled。Don\'tmakemoremischief；mybrotheriscoming:bequiet!Giveover，Isabella!Hasanybodyhurtyou？\'
`There，there，children——toyourseats!\'criedHindley，bustlingin。`Thatbruteofaladhaswarmedmenicely。Nexttime，MasterEdgar，takethelawintoyourownfists——itwillgiveyouanappetite!\'
Thelittlepartyrecovereditsequanimityatsightofthefragrantfeast。Theywerehungryaftertheirride，andeasilyconsoled，sincenorealharmhadbefallenthem。MrEarnshawcarvedbountifulplatefuls，andthemistressmadethemmerrywithlivelytalk。Iwaitedbehindherchair，andwaspainedtobeholdCatherine，withdryeyesandanindifferentair，commencecuttingupthewingofagoosebeforeher。`Anunfeelingchild，\'
Ithoughttomyself；`howlightlyshedismissesheroldplaymate\'stroubles。
Icouldnothaveimaginedhertobesoselfish。\'Sheliftedamouthfultoherlips；thenshesetitdownagain:hercheeksflushed，andthetearsgushedoverthem。Sheslippedherforktothefloor，andhastilydivedundertheclothtoconcealheremotion。Ididnotcalherunfeelinglong；
forIperceivedshewasinpurgatorythroughouttheday，andwearyingtofindanopportunityofgettingbyherself，orpayingavisittoHeathcliff，whohadbeenlockedupbthemaster:asIdiscovered，onendeavouringtointroducetohimprivatemessofvictuals。
Intheeveningwehadadance。Cathybeggedthathemightbliberatedthen，asIsabellaLintonhadnopartner；herentreatieswerevain，andIwasappointedtosupplythedeficiency。Wegotridofallgloomintheexcitementoftheexercise，andourpleasurewasincreasedbythearrivaloftheGimmertonband，musteringfifteenstrong:atrumpet，atrombone，clarionets，bassoonFrenchhorns，andabassviol，besidessingers。Theygotheroundsofalltherespectablehouses，andreceivecontributionseveryChristmas，andweesteemeditafirst-ratetreattohearthem。Aftertheusualcarolshadbeensung，wesetthemtosongsandglees。MrsEarnshawlovedthemusic，andsotheygaveusplenty。
Catherinelovedittoo；butshesaiditsoundedsweetestatthetopofthesteps，andshewentupinthedark；Ifollowed。Theyshutthehousedoorbelow，nevernotingourabsence，itwassofullpeople。Shemadenostayatthestair\'shead，butmountedfarther，tothegarretwhereHeathcliffwasconfined，andcalledhim。Istubbornlydeclinedansweringforawhile；shepersevered，andfinallypersuadedhimtoholdcommunionwithherthroughtheboards。Iletthepoorthingsconverseunmolested，tillIsupposedthesongsweregoingtocease，andthesingerstogetsomerefreshment；then，Iclambereduptheladdertowarnher。Insteadoffindingheroutside，Iheardhervoicewithin。Thelittlemonkeyhadcreptbytheskylightofonegarret，alongtheroof，intotheskylightoftheother，anditwaswiththeutmostdifficultyIcouldcoaxheroutagain。WhenshedidcomeHeathcliffcamewithher，andsheinsistedthatIshouldtakehimintothekitchen，asmyfellow-servanthadgonetoaneighbour\'stoberemovedfromthesoundofour`devil\'spsalmody\'，asitpleasedhimtocallit。ItoldthemIintendedbynomeanstoencouragetheirtricks；
butastheprisonerhadneverbrokenhisfastsinceyesterday\'sdinner，IwouldwinkathischeatingMrHindleythatonce。Hewentdown；Isethimastoolbythefire，andofferedhimaquantityofgoodthings；buthewassickandcouldeatlittle，andmyattemptstoentertainhimwerethrownaway。Heleanthistwoelbowsonhisknees，andhischinonhishands，andremainedwraptindumbmeditation。Onmyinquiringthesubjectofhisthoughts，heansweredgravely:
`I\'mtryingtosettlehowIshallpayHindleyback。Idon\'tcarehowlongIwait，ifIcanonlydoitatlast。IhopehewillnotdiebeforeIdo!\'
`Forshame，Heathcliff!\'saidI。`ItisforGodtopunishwickedpeople；weshouldlearntoforgive。\'
`No，Godwon\'thavethesatisfactionthatIshall，\'hereturned。
`IonlywishIknewthebestway!Letmealone，andI\'llplanitout:whileI\'mthinkingofthatIdon\'tfeelpain。\'
But，MrLockwood，Iforgetthesetalescannotdivertyou。I\'mannoyedhowIshoulddreamofchatteringonatsucharate；andyourgruelcold，andyounoddingforbed!IcouldhavetoldHeathcliffshistory，allthatyouneedhear，inhalfadozenwords。
Thusinterruptingherself，thehousekeeperrose，aridproceededtolayasidehersewing；butIfeltincapableofmovingfromthehearth，andIwasveryfarfromnodding。`Sitstill，MrsDean，\'Icried，`dositstill，anotherhalf-hour!You\'vedonejustrighttotellthestoryleisurely。
ThatisthemethodIlike；andyoumustfinishitinthesamestyle。I
aminterestedineverycharacteryouhavementioned，moreorless。\'
`Theclockisonthestrokeofeleven，sir。\'
`Nomatter——I\'mnotaccustomedtogotobedinthelonghours。
Oneortwoisearlyenoughforapersonwholiestillten。\'
`Youshouldn\'tlietillten。There\'stheveryprimeofthemorninggonelongbeforethattime。Apersonwhohasnotdoneonehalfhisday\'sworkbyteno\'clock，runsachanceofleavingtheotherhalfundone。\'
`Nevertheless，MrsDean，resumeyourchair；becausetomorrowIintendlengtheningthenighttillafternoon。Iprognosticateformyselfanobstinatecold，atleast。\'
`Ihopenot，sir。Well，youmustallowmetoleapoversomethreeyears；duringthatspaceMrsEarnshaw——\'
`No，no，I\'llallownothingofthesort!Areyouacquaintedwiththemoodofmindinwhich，ifyouwereseatedalone，andthecatlickingitskittenontherugbeforeyou，youwouldwatchtheoperationsointentlythatpuss\'sneglectofoneearwouldputyouseriouslyoutoftemper？\'
`Aterriblylazymood，Ishouldsay。\'
`Onthecontrary，atiresomelyactiveone。Itismine，atpresent；
and，therefore，continueminutely。Iperceivethatpeopleintheseregionsacquireoverpeopleintownsthevaluethatthespiderinadungeondoesoveraspiderinacottage，totheirvariousoccupants；andyetthedeepenedattractionisnotentirelyowingtothesituationofthelooker-on。Theydolivemoreinearnest，moreinthemselves，andlessinsurfacechange，andfrivolousexternalthings。Icouldfancyaloveforlifeherealmostpossible；andIwasafixedunbelieverinanyloveofayear\'sstanding。
Onestateresemblessettingahungrymandowntoasingledish，onwhichhemayconcentratehisentireappetiteanddoitjustice；theother，introducinghimtoatablelaidoutbyFrenchcooks:hecanperhapsextractasmuchenjoymentfromthewhole；buteachpartisamereatominhisregardandremembrance。\'
`Oh!herewearethesameasanywhereelse，whenyougettoknowus，\'observedMrsDean，somewhatpuzzledatmyspeech。
`Excuseme，\'Iresponded；`you，mygoodfriend，areastrikingevidenceagainstthatassertion。Exceptingafewprovincialismsofslightconsequence，youhavenomarksofthemannerswhichIamhabituatedtoconsideraspeculiartoyourclass。Iamsureyouhavethoughtagreatdealmorethanthegeneralityofservantsthink。Youhavebeencompelledtocultivateyourreflectivefacultiesforwantofoccasionsforfritteringyourlifeawayinsillytrifles。\'
MrsDeanlaughed。
`Icertainlyesteemmyselfasteady，reasonablekindofbody，\'
shesaid；`notexactlyfromlivingamongthehillsandseeingonesetoffaces，andoneseriesofactions，fromyear\'sendtoyear\'send；butI
haveundergonesharpdiscipline，whichhastaughtmewisdom；andthen，Ihavereadmorethanyouwouldfancy，MrLockwood。YoucouldnotopenabookinthislibrarythatIhavenotlookedinto，andgotsomethingoutofalso:unlessitbethatrangeofGreekandLatinandthatofFrench；
andthoseIknowonefromanother:itisasmuchasyoucanexpectofapoorman\'sdaughter。However，ifIamtofollowmystoryintruegossip\'sfashion，Ihadbettergoon；andinsteadofleapingthreeyears，Iwillbecontenttopasstothenextsummer——thesummerof1778，thatis，nearlytwenty-threeyearsago。\'
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter8OnthemorningofafineJuneday，myfirstbonnylittlenursling，andthelastoftheancientEarnshawstock，wasborn。Wewerebusywiththehayinafarawayfield，whenthegirlthatusuallybroughtourbreakfasts，camerunninganhourtoosoon，acrossthemeadowandupthelane，callingmeassheran。
`Oh，suchagrandbairn!\'shepantedout。`Thefinestladthateverbreathed!Butthedoctorsaysmissismustgo:hesaysshe\'sbeeninaconsumptionthesemanymonths。IheardhimtellMrHindley:andnowshehasnothingtokeepher，andshe\'llbedeadbeforewinter。Youmustcomehomedirectly。You\'retonurseit，Nelly:tofeeditwithsugarandmilk，andtakecareofitdayandnight。IwishIwereyou，becauseitwillbeallyourswhenthereisnomissis!\'
`Butissheveryill？\'Iasked，flingingdownmyrake，andtyingmybonnet。
`Iguesssheis；yetshelooksbravely，\'repliedthegirl，`andshetalksasifshethoughtoflivingtoseeitgrowaman。She\'soutofherheadforjoy，it\'ssuchabeauty!IfIwereher，I\'mcertainIshouldnotdie:Ishouldgetbetteratthebaresightofit，inspiteofKenneth。
Iwasfairlymadathim。DameArcherbroughtthecherubdowntomaster，inthehouse，andhisfacejustbegantolightup，thentheoldcroakerstepsforward，andsayshe:``Earnshaw，it\'sablessingyourwifehasbeensparedtoleaveyouthisson。Whenshecame，Ifeltconvincedweshouldn\'tkeepherlong；andnow，Imusttellyou，thewinterwillprobablyfinishher。Don\'ttakeon，andfretaboutittoomuch!itcan\'tbehelped。Andbesides，youshouldhaveknownbetterthantochoosesucharushofalass!\'
`Andwhatdidthemasteranswer？\'Iinquired。
`Ithinkheswore:butIdidn\'tmindhim，Iwasstrainingtoseethebairn，\'andshebeganagaintodescribeitrapturously。I，aszealousasherself，hurriedeagerlyhometoadmire，onmypart；thoughIwasverysadforHindley\'ssake。Hehadroominhisheartonlyfortwoidols——hiswifeandhimself:hedotedonboth，andadoredone，andIcouldn\'tconceivehowhewouldbeartheloss。
WhenwegottoWutheringHeights，therehestoodatthefrontdoor；and，asIpassedin，Iasked，`Howwasthebaby？\'
`Nearlyreadytorunabout，Nell!\'hereplied，puttingonacheerfulsmile。
`Andthemistress？\'Iventuredtoinquire；`thedoctorsaysshe\'s——\'
`Damnthedoctor!\'heinterrupted，reddening。`Francesisquiteright；she\'llbeperfectlywellbythistimenextweek。Areyougoingupstairs？
willyoutellherthatI\'llcome，ifshe\'llpromisenottotalk。Ileftherbecauseshewouldnotholdhertongue；andshemust——tellherMrKennethsaysshemustbequiet。\'
IdeliveredthismessagetoMrsEarnshaw；sheseemedinflightyspirits，andrepliedmerrily:
`Ihardlyspokeaword，Ellen，andtherehehasgoneouttwice，crying。Well，sayIpromiseIwon\'tspeak:butthatdoesnotbindmenottolaughathim!\'
Poorsoul!Tillwithinaweekofherdeaththatgayheartneverfailedher，andherhusbandpersisteddoggedly，nay，furiously，inaffirmingherhealthimprovedeveryday。WhenKennethwarnedhimthathismedicineswereuselessatthatstageofthemalady，andheneedn\'tputhimtofurtherexpensebyattendingher，heretorted:
`Iknowyouneednot——she\'swell——shedoesnotwantanymoreattendancefromyou!Sheneverwasinaconsumption。Itwasafever；anditisgone:
herpulseisasslowasminenow，andhercheekascool。\'
Hetoldhiswifethesamestory，andsheseemedtobelievehim；
butonenight，whileleaningonhisshoulder，intheactofsayingshethoughtsheshouldbeabletogetuptomorrow，afitofcoughingtookher——averyslightone——heraisedherinhisarms；sheputhertwohandsabouthisneck，herfacechanged，andshewasdead。
Asthegirlhadanticipated，thechildHaretonfellwhollyintomyhands。MrEarnshaw，providedhesawhimhealthyandneverheardhimcry，wascontented，asfarasregardedhim。Forhimself，hegrewdesperate:
hissorrowwasofthatkindthatwillnotlament。Heneitherweptnorprayed:
hecursedanddefied:execratedGodandman，andgavehimselfuptorecklessdissipation。Theservantscouldnotbearhistyrannicalandevilconductlong:JosephandIweretheonlytwothatwouldstay。Ihadnotthehearttoleavemycharge；andbesides，youknowIhadbeenhisfoster-sister，andexcusedhisbehaviourmorereadilythanastrangerwould。Josephremainedtohectorovertenantsandlabourers；andbecauseitwashisvocationtobewherehehadplentyofwickednesstoreprove。
Themaster\'sbadwaysandbadcompanionsformedaprettyexampleforCatherineandHeathcliff。Histreatmentofthelatterwasenoughtomakeafiendofasaint。And，truly，itappearedasiftheladwerepossessedofsomethingdiabolicalatthatperiod。HedelightedtowitnessHindleydegradinghimselfpastredemption；andbecamedailymorenotableforsavagesullennessandferocity。Icouldnothalftellwhataninfernalhousewehad。Thecuratedroppedcalling，andnobodydecentcamenearus，atlast；unlessEdgarLinton\'svisitstoMissCathymightbeanexception。
Atfifteenshewasthequeenofthecountryside；shehadnopeer；andshedidturnoutahaughty，headstrongcreature!IownIdidnotlikeher，afterherinfancywaspast；andIvexedherfrequentlybytryingtobringdownherarrogance:shenevertookanaversiontome，though。Shehadawondrousconstancytooldattachments:evenHeathcliffkepthisholdonheraffectionsunalterably；andyoungLinton，withallhissuperiority，founditdifficulttomakeanequallydeepimpression。Hewasmylatemaster:
thatishisportraitoverthefireplace。Itusedtohangononeside，andhiswife\'sontheother；buthershasbeenremoved，orelseyoumightseesomethingofwhatshewas。Canyoumakethatout？
MrsDeanraisedthecandle，andIdiscernedasoft-featuredface，exceedinglyresemblingtheyoungladyattheHeights，butmorepensiveandamiableinexpression。Itformedasweetpicture。Thelonglighthaircurledslightlyonthetemples；theeyeswerelargeandserious；thefigurealmosttoograceful。IdidnotmarvelhowCatherineEarnshawcouldforgetherfirstfriendforsuchanindividual。Imarvelledmuchhowhe，withamindtocorrespondwithhisperson，couldfancymyideaofCatherineEarnshaw。
`Averyagreeableportrait，\'Iobservedtothehousekeeper。`Isitlike？\'
`Yes，\'sheanswered；`buthelookedbetterwhenhewasanimated；
thatishiseverydaycountenance:hewantedspiritingeneral。\'
CatherinehadkeptupheracquaintancewiththeLintonssinceherfiveweeks\'residenceamongthem；andasshehadnotemptationtoshowherroughsideintheircompany，andhadthesensetobeashamedofbeingrudewheresheexperiencedsuchInvariablecourtesy，sheimposedunwittinglyontheoldladyandgentleman，byheringeniouscordiality；gainedtheadmirationofIsabella，andtheheartandsoulofherbrother:acquisitionsthatflatteredherfromthefirst，forshewasfullofambition，andledhertoadoptadoublecharacterwithoutexactlyintendingtodeceiveanyone。
IntheplacewheresheheardHeathclifftermedavulgaryoungruffian\'，and`worsethanabrute\'，shetookcarenottoactlikehim；butathomeshehadsmallinclinationtopractisepolitenessthatwouldonlybelaughedat，andrestrainanunrulynaturewhenitwouldbringherneithercreditnorpraise。MrEdgarseldommusteredcouragetovisitWutheringHeightsopenly。HehadaterrorofEarnshaw\'sreputation，andshrunkfromencounteringhim；andyethewasalwaysreceivedwithourbestattemptsatcivility:
themasterhimselfavoidedoffendinghim，knowingwhyhecame；andifhecouldnotbegracious，keptoutoftheway。IratherthinkhisappearancetherewasdistastefultoCatherine:shewasnotartful，neverplayedthecoquette，andhadevidentlyanobjectiontohertwofriendsmeetingatall；forwhenHeathcliffexpressedcontemptofLintoninhispresence，shecouldnothalfcoincide，asshedidinhisabsence；andwhenLintonevinceddisgustandantipathytoHeathcliff，shedarednottreathissentimentswithindifference，asifdepreciationofherplaymatewereofscarcelyanyconsequencetoher。I\'vehadmanyalaughatherperplexitiesanduntoldtroubles，whichshevainlystrovetohidefrommymockery。Thatsoundsill-natured:butshewassoproud，itbecamereallyimpossibletopityherdistresses，tillsheshouldbechastenedintomorehumility。Shedidbringherself，finally，toconfess，andconfideinme:therewasnotasoulelsethatshemightfashionintoanadviser。
MrHindleyhadgonefromhomeoneafternoon，andHeathcliffpresumedtogivehimselfaholidayonthestrengthofit。Hehadreachedtheageofsixteenthen，Ithink，andwithouthavingbadfeatures，orbeingdeficientinintellect，hecontrivedtoconveyanimpressionofinwardandoutwardrepulsivenessthathispresentaspectretainsnotracesof。Inthefirstplace，hehadbythattimelostthebenefitofhisearlyeducation:continualhardwork，begunsoonandconcludedlate，hadextinguishedanycuriosityheoncepossessedinpursuitofknowledge，andanyloveforbooksorlearning。
Hischildhood\'ssenseofsuperiority，instilledintohimbythefavoursofoldMrEarnshaw，wasfadedaway。HestruggledlongtokeepupanequalitywithCatherineinherstudies，andyieldedwithpoignantthoughsilentregret:butheyieldedcompletely；andtherewasnoprevailingonhimtotakeastepinthewayofmovingupward，whenhefoundhemust，necessarily，sinkbeneathhisformerlevel。Thenpersonalappearancesympathizedwithmentaldeterioration:heacquiredaslouchinggait，andignoblelook；hisnaturallyreserveddispositionwasexaggeratedintoanalmostidioticexcessofunsociablemoroseness；andhetookagrimpleasure，apparently，inexcitingtheaversionratherthantheesteemofhisfewacquaintance。
Catherineandhewereconstantcompanionsstillathisseasonsofrespitefromlabour；buthehadceasedtoexpresshisfondnessforherinwords，andrecoiledwithangrysuspicionfromhergirlishcaresses，asifconscioustherecouldbenogratificationinlavishingsuchmarksofaffectiononhim。Onthebefore-namedoccasionhecameintothehousetoannouncehisintentionofdoingnothing，whileIwasassistingMissCathytoarrangeherdress:shehadnotreckonedonhistakingitintohisheadtobeidle；andimaginingshewouldhavethewholeplacetoherself，shemanaged，bysomemeans，toinformMrEdgarofherbrother\'sabsence，andwasthenpreparingtoreceivehim。
`Cathy，areyoubusy，thisafternoon？\'askedHeathcliff。`Areyougoinganywhere？\'
`No，itisraining，\'sheanswered。
`Whyhaveyouthatsilkfrockon，then？\'hesaid。`Nobodycominghere，Ihope？\'
`NotthatIknowof，\'stammeredMiss:`butyoushouldbeinthefieldnow，Heathcliff。Itisanhourpastdinnertime:Ithoughtyouweregone。\'
`Hindleydoesnotoftenfreeusfromhisaccursedpresence，\'observedtheboy。`I\'llnotworkanymoretoday:I\'llstaywithyou。\'
`Oh，butJosephwilltell，\'shesuggested；`you\'dbettergo!\'
`JosephisloadinglimeonthefarthersideofPennistowCrag；
itwilltakehimtilldark，andhe\'llneverknow。\'
Sosaying，heloungedtothefire，andsatdown。Catherinereflectedaninstant，withknittedbrows——shefounditneedfultosmooththewayforanintrusion。`IsabellaandEdgarLintontalkedofcallingthisafternoon，\'
shesaid，attheconclusionofaminute\'ssilence。`Asitrains，Ihardlyexpectthem；buttheymaycome，andiftheydo，youruntheriskofbeingscoldedfornogood。\'
`OrderEllentosayyouareengaged，Cathy，\'hepersisted；`don\'tturnmeoutforthosepitiful，sillyfriendsofyours!I\'monthepoint，sometimes，ofcomplainingthatthey——butI\'llnot——\'
`Thattheywhat？\'criedCatherine，gazingathimwithatroubledcountenance。`Oh，Nelly!\'sheaddedpetulantly，jerkingherheadawayfrommyhands，`you\'vecombedmyhairquiteoutofcurl!That\'senough；letmealone。Whatareyouonthepointofcomplainingabout，Heathcliff？\'
`Nothing——onlylookatthealmanaconthatwall；\'hepointedtoaframedsheethangingnearthewindow，andcontinued——`ThecrossesarefortheeveningsyouhavespentwiththeLintons，thedotsforthosespentwithme。Doyousee？I\'vemarkedeveryday。\'
`Yes——veryfoolish:asifItooknotice!\'repliedCatherineinapeevishtone。`Andwhereisthesenseofthat？\'
`ToshowthatIdotakenotice，\'saidHeathcliff。
`AndshouldIalwaysbesittingwithyou？\'shedemanded，growingmoreirritated。`WhatgooddoIget？Whatdoyoutalkabout？Youmightbedumb，orababy，foranythingyousaytoamuseme，orforanythingyoudo，either!\'
`YounevertoldmebeforethatItalkedtoolittle，orthatyoudislikedmycompany，Cathy!\'exclaimedHeathcliff，inmuchagitation。
`It\'snocompanyatall，whenpeopleknownothingandsaynothing，\'
shemuttered。
Hercompanionroseup，buthehadn\'ttimetoexpresshisfeelingsfurther，forahorse\'sfeetwereheardontheflags，andhavingknockedgently，youngLintonentered，hisfacebrilliantwithdelightattheunexpectedsummonshehadreceived。DoubtlessCatherinemarkedthedifferencebetweenherfriends，asonecameinandtheotherwentout。Thecontrastresembledwhatyouseeinexchangingableak，hilly，coalcountryforabeautifulfertilevalley；andhisvoiceandgreetingwereasoppositeashisaspect。
Hehadasweet，lowmannerofspeaking，andpronouncedhiswordsasyoudo:that\'slessgruffthanwetalkhere，andsofter。
`I\'mnotcometoosoon，amI？\'hesaid，castingalookatme:
Ihadbeguntowipetheplate，andtidysomedrawersatthefarendinthedresser。
`No，\'answeredCatherine。`Whatareyoudoingthere，Nelly？\'
`Mywork，miss，\'Ireplied。(MrHindleyhadgivenmedirectionstomakeathirdparryinanyprivatevisitsLintonchosetopay。)
Shesteppedbehindmeandwhisperedcrossly，`Takeyourselfandyourdustersoff；whencompanyareinthehouse，servantsdon\'tcommencescouringandcleaningintheroomwheretheyare!\'
`It\'sagoodopportunity，nowthatthemasterisaway，\'Iansweredaloud:`hehatesmetobefidgetingoverthesethingsinhispresence。
I\'msureMrEdgarwillexcuseme。\'
`Ihateyoutobefidgetinginmypresence，\'exclaimedtheyoungladyimperiously，notallowingherguesttimetospeak:shehadfailedtorecoverherequanimitysincethelittledisputewithHeathcliff。
`I\'msorryforit，MissCatherine，\'wasmyresponse；andIproceededassiduouslywithmyoccupation。
She，supposingEdgarcouldnotseeher，snatchedtheclothfrommyhand，andpinchedme，withaprolongedwrench，veryspitefullyonthearm。I\'vesaidIdidnotloveher，andratherrelishedmortifyinghervanitynowandthen:besides，shehurtmeextremely；soIstartedupfrommyknees，andscreamedout，`Oh，miss，that\'sanastytrick!Youhavenorighttonipme，andI\'mnotgoingtobearit。\'
`Ididn\'ttouchyou，youlyingcreature!\'criedshe，herfingerstinglingtorepeattheact，andherearsredwithrage。Sheneverhadpowertoconcealherpassion，italwayssetherwholecomplexioninablaze。
`What\'sthat，then？\'Iretorted，showingadecidedpurplewitnesstorefuteher。
Shestampedherfoot，waveredamoment，andthenirresistiblyimpelledbythenaughtyspiritwithinher，slappedmeonthecheekastingingblowthatfilledbotheyeswithwater。
`Catherine，love!Catherine!\'interposedLinton，greatlyshockedatthedoublefaultoffalsehoodandviolencewhichhisidolhadcommitted。
`Leavetheroom，Ellen!\'sherepeated，tremblingallover。
LittleHareton，whofollowedmeeverywhere，andwassittingnearmeonthefloor，atseeingmytearscommencedcryinghimself，andsobbedoutcomplaintsagainst`wickedauntCathy\'，whichdrewherfuryontohisunluckyhead:sheseizedhisshoulders，andshookhimtillthepoorchildwaxedlivid，andEdgarthoughtlesslylaidholdofherhandstodeliverhim。Inaninstantonewaswrungfree，andtheastonishedyoungmanfeltitappliedoverhisownearinawaythatcouldnotbemistakenforjest。
Hedrewbackinconsternation。IliftedHaretoninmyarms，andwalkedofftothekitchenwithhim，leavingthedoorofcommunicationopen，forIwascurioustowatchhowtheywouldsettletheirdisagreement。Theinsultedvisitormovedtothespotwherehehadlaidhishat，paleandwithaquiveringlip。
`That\'sright!\'Isaidtomyself。`Takewarningandbegone!It\'sakindnesstoletyouhaveaglimpseofhergenuinedisposition。\'
`Whereareyougoing？\'demandedCatherine，advancingtothedoor。
Heswervedaside，andattemptedtopass。
`Youmustnotgo!\'sheexclaimedenergetically。
`Imustandshall!\'herepliedinasubduedvoice。
`No，\'shepersisted，graspingthehandle；`notyet，EdgarLinton:
sitdown；youshallnotleavemeinthattemper。Ishouldbemiserableallnight，andIwon\'tbemiserableforyou!\'
`CanIstayafteryouhavestruckme？\'askedLinton。Catherinewasmute。
`You\'vemademeafraidandashamedofyou，\'hecontinued；`I\'llnotcomehereagain!\'
Hereyesbegantoglisten，andherlidstotwinkle。`Andyoutoldadeliberateuntruth!\'hesaid。
`Ididn\'t!\'shecried，recoveringherspeech；`Ididnothingdeliberately。
Well，go，ifyouplease——getaway!AndnowI\'llcry——I\'llcrymyselfsick!\'
Shedroppeddownonherkneesbyachair，andsettoweepinginseriousearnest。Edgarperseveredinhisresolutionasfarasthecourt；
therehelingered。Iresolvedtoencouragehim。
`Missisdreadfullywayward，sir，\'Icalledout。`Asbadasanymarredchild:you\'dbetterberidinghome，orelseshewillbesickonlytogrieveus。\'
Thesoftthinglookedaskancethroughthewindow:hepossessedthepowertodepart，asmuchasacatpossessesthepowertoleaveamousehalfkilled，orabirdhalfeaten。Ah，Ithought，therewillbenosavinghim:he\'sdoomed，andfliestohisfate!Andsoitwas:heturnedabruptly，hastenedintothehouseagain，shutthedoorbehindhim；andwhenIwentinawhileaftertoinformthemthatEarnshawhadcomehomerabiddrunk，readytopullthewholeplaceaboutourears(hisordinaryframeofmindinthatcondition)，Isawthequarrelhadmerelyeffectedacloserintimacyhadbrokentheoutworksofyouthfultimidity，andenabledthemtoforsakethedisguiseoffriendship，andconfessthemselveslovers。
IntelligenceofMrHindley\'sarrivaldroveLintonspeedilytohishorse，andCatherinetoherchamber。IwenttohidelittleHareton，andtotaketheshotoutofthemaster\'sfowling-piece，whichhewasfondofplayingwithinhisinsaneexcitement，tothehazardofthelivesofanywhoprovoked，orevenattractedhisnoticetoomuch；andIhadhitupontheplanofremovingit，thathemightdolessmischiefifhedidgothelengthoffiringthegun。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]WutheringHeights[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]Chapter9Heentered，vociferatingoathsdreadfultohear；andcaughtmeintheactofstowinghissonawayinthekitchencupboard。Haretonwasimpressedwithawholesometerrorofencounteringeitherhiswildbeast\'sfondnessorhismadman\'srage；forinoneheranachanceofbeingsqueezedandkissedtodeath，andintheotherofbeingflungintothefire，ordashedagainstthewall；andthepoorthingremainedperfectlyquietwhereverIchosetoputhim。
`There，I\'vefounditoutatlast!\'criedHindley，pullingmebackbytheskinofmyneck，likeadog。`Byheavenandhell，you\'veswornbetweenyoutomurderthatchild!Iknowhowitis，now，thatheisalwaysoutofmyway。But，withthehelpofSatan，Ishallmakeyouswallowthecarving-knife，Nelly!Youneedn\'tlaugh；forI\'vejustcrammedKenneth，headdownmost，intheBlackhorsemarsh；andtwoisthesameasone——andIwanttokillsomeofyou:IshallhavenoresttillIdo!\'
`ButIdon\'tlikethecarving-knife，MrHindley，\'Ianswered:
`ithasbeencuttingredherrings。I\'dratherbeshot，ifyouplease。\'
`You\'dratherbedamned!\'hesaid；`andsoyoushall。NolawinEnglandcanhinderamanfromkeepinghishousedecent，andmine\'sabominable!
openyourmouth。\'
Heheldtheknifeinhishand，andpusheditspointbetweenmyteeth:but，formypart，Iwasnevermuchafraidofhisvagaries。Ispatout，andaffirmedittasteddetestably——Iwouldnottakeitonanyaccount。
`Oh!\'saidhe，releasingme，`IseethathideouslittlevillainisnotHareton:Ibegyourpardon，Nell。Ifitbe，hedeservesflayingalivefornotrunningtowelcomeme，andforscreamingasifIwereagoblin。
Unnaturalcub，comehither!I\'llteachtheetoimposeonagood-hearted，deludedfather。Now，don\'tyouthinktheladwouldbehandsomercropped？
Itmakesadogfiercer，andIlovesomethingfierce——getmeascissors——somethingfierceandtrim!Besides，it\'sinfernalaffectation——devilishconceititis，tocherishourears——we\'reassesenoughwithoutthem。Hush，child，hush!Wellthen，itismydarling!wisht，drythyeyes——there\'sajoy；
kissme。What!itwon\'t？Kissme，Hareton!Damnthee，kissme!ByGod，asif1wouldrearsuchamonster!AssureasI\'mliving，I\'llbreakthebrat\'sneck。\'
PoorHaretonwassquallingandkickinginhisfather\'sarmswithallhismight，andredoubledhisyellswhenhecarriedhimupstairsandliftedhimoverthebanister。Icriedoutthathewouldfrightenthechildintofits，andrantorescuehim。AsIreachedthem，Hindleyleantforwardontherailstolistentoanoisebelow；almostforgettingwhathehadinhishands。`Whoisthat？\'heasked，hearingsomeoneapproachingthestair\'sfoot。Ileantforwardalso，forthepurposeofsigningtoHeathcliff，whosestepIrecognized，nottocomefarther；and，attheinstantwhenmyeyequittedHareton，hegaveasuddenspring，deliveredhimselffromthecarelessgraspthatheldhim，andfell。
Therewasscarcelytimetoexperienceathrillofhorrorbeforewesawthatthelittlewretchwassafe。Heathcliffarrivedunderneathjustatthecriticalmoment；byanaturalimpulse，hearrestedhisdescent，andsettinghimonhisfeet，lookeduptodiscovertheauthoroftheaccident。
Amiserwhohaspartedwithaluckylotteryticketforfiveshillings，andfindsnextdayhehaslostinthebargainfivethousandpounds，couldnotshowablankercountenancethanhedidonbeholdingthefigureofMrEarnshawabove。Itexpressed，plainerthanwordscoulddo，theintenseanguishathavingmadehimselftheinstrumentofthwartinghisownrevenge。
Haditbeendark，Idaresay，hewouldhavetriedtoremedythemistakebysmashingHareton\'sskullonthesteps；butwewitnessedhissalvation；
andIwaspresentlybelowwithmypreciouschargepressedtomyheart。
Hindleydescendedmoreleisurely，soberedandabashed。
`Itisyourfault，Ellen，\'hesaid；`youshouldhavekepthimoutofsight:youshouldhavetakenhimfromme!Isheinjuredanywhere？\'
`Injured!\'Icriedangrily；`ifhe\'snotkilled，he\'llbeanidiot!
Oh!Iwonderhismotherdoesnotrisefromhergravetoseehowyouusehim。You\'reworsethanaheathen——treatingyourownfleshandbloodinthatmanner!\'
Heattemptedtotouchthechild，who，onfindinghimselfwithme，sobbedoffhisterrordirectly。Atthefirstfingerhisfatherlaidonhim，however，heshriekedagainlouderthanbefore，andstruggledasifhewouldgointoconvulsions。
