Chapter 3

No rooms for visitors

01 It seemed impossible that they should sit every day so unfriendly and silent. I thought, if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to try to drive it away.

02 'Many could not imagine living in happiness so far from society,' I began, 'but you, Mr Heathcliff, with your wife and family ... '

03 'My wife is no longer alive, sir.'

04 I realized that I had made a mistake. I looked at the young man.

05 'Mrs Heathcliff is my daughter-in-law.' As he spoke, Heathcliff turned a peculiar look of hate in her direction.

06 'And this young man ... '

07 'Is not my son. My son is dead.'

08 The youth became red in the face.

09 'My name is Hareton Earnshaw,' he said roughly, 'and I advise you to respect it!'

10 He fixed his eye on me in a threatening manner. I began to feel very much out of place in this strange family circle, and I determined to be cautious in risking my presence beneath its roof a third time.

11 When the business of eating was over, I approached the window. Dark night was coming on, and sky and hills were hidden from sight by the wild turning movement of wind and snow.

12 'I don't think it possible for me to get home now without a guide,' I said.

13 'Hareton, drive those dozen sheep into shelter. They'll be covered if left out all night,' said Heathcliff, rising.

14 'What must I do?' I continued.

15 There was no reply, and looking round I saw only Joseph bringing in the dogs' food, and Mrs Heathcliff leaning over the fire.

16 'Mrs Heathcliff,' I said earnestly, 'you must excuse me for troubling you. Do point out some landmarks by which I may know my way home.'

17 'Take the road you came by,' she answered, settling herself in a chair with a book and a candle. 'I can't show you the way. They wouldn't let me go beyond the garden wall.'

18 'Are there no boys at the farm?'

19 'No. There are only Heathcliff, Earnshaw, Zillah, Joseph and myself.'

20 'I hope this will be a lesson to you, to make no more foolish journeys on these hills,' cried the voice of Heathcliff from the kitchen. 'As for staying here, I don't keep rooms for visitors. You must share a bed with Hareton or Joseph.'

21 'I can sleep on a chair in this room.'

22 'No! A stranger is a stranger, whether he be rich or poor. It will not suit me to have anyone wandering round this place when I am not on guard.'

23 With this insult, my patience was at an end. I pushed past him into the yard. It was so dark that I could not see the way out.

24 Joseph was milking the cows by the light of a lamp. I seized it, and calling that I would send it back the next day, rushed to the nearest gate.

25 'Master, master, he's stealing the lamp!' shouted the old man. 'Hold him, dogs, hold him!'

26 Two hairy animals sprang at my throat, bringing me to the ground and putting out the light, while rude laughter from Heathcliff and Hareton increased the force of my fury and humiliation. There I was forced to lie, till they called the dogs off.

27 The violence of my anger started a bleeding of the nose. Heathcliff continued to laugh, and I continued to scold. At last Zillah, the big woman servant, came out to see what was happening.

28 'Are we going to murder people right on our doorstep? Look at that poor young gentleman—he can hardly breathe! Come in, and I'll cure that.'

29 With these words, she suddenly threw some icy water down my neck, and pulled me into the kitchen.

30 I felt sick and faint. Heathcliff told Zillah to give me a glass of something strong to drink, after which I seemed a little better. I then allowed her to lead me to bed.