Wuthering Heights / Грозовой перевал. Уровень 3

'

'Hareton, drive those dozen sheep into the barn porch,' said Heathcliff.

'And what about me? What to do?' I continued, with irritation.

There was no reply to my question. I looked round and saw that Joseph was bringing in a pail of porridge for the dogs. and Mrs. Heathcliff was leaning over the fire.

'Oh, wicked, wicked!' gasped he; 'may the Lord deliver us from evil!'

'Go away, or I'll hurt you seriously! I know some black magic. I'll have you all modelled in wax and clay! and the first who passes the limits I fix, will… I won't say what he will do – but you'll see! Go, I'm looking at you!'

The little witch put a mock malignity into her beautiful eyes, and Joseph, trembling with sincere horror, hurried out, praying, and ejaculating 'wicked' as he went.

I thought her conduct was dreary fun. As we were alone, I tried to talk to her.

'Mrs. Heathcliff,' I said earnestly, 'you must excuse me for troubling you. I presume, because, with that face, I'm sure you are very good-hearted.

Please, point out some landmarks by which I may know my way home. I have no idea how to get there!'

'Take the road you came,' she answered. 'It is brief advice, but rather wise.'

'Then, if I am dead in a bog or a pit full of snow, your conscience won't whisper that it is partly your fault?'

'How so? I cannot escort you. They won't let me go to the end of the garden wall.'

'You! I'll be sorry to ask you to cross the threshold on such a night. I want you to tell me my way, not to show it: or else to persuade Mr.

Heathcliff to give me a guide.'

'Who? Himself, Earnshaw, Zillah, Joseph and I. Which will you have?'

'Are there no boys at the farm?'

'No; those are all.'

'Then, it means that I am compelled to stay.'

'That you must talk to your host. I have nothing to do with it.'

'I hope it will be a lesson to you to make no more rash journeys on these hills,' cried Heathcliff's stern voice from the kitchen entrance. 'Are you going to stay here? I don't keep accommodations for visitors.

You must share a bed with Hareton or Joseph, if you want.'

'I can sleep on a chair in this room,' I replied.

'No, no! A stranger is a stranger. I don't care whether you are rich or poor. It will not suit me to permit anyone to stay here while I am off!' said the unmannerly wretch.

It was an end. I uttered an expression of disgust, and pushed past him into the yard. And I ran against Earnshaw in my haste.