Грозовой перевал / Wuthering Heights

Isabella Linton is nothing compared to her, is she, Frances?В»

«Isabella does not have Cathy’s looks,» replied his wife coolly. «But we must make sure she doesn’t grow wild again.»

Cathy kissed me carefully, anxious not to disarrange her hair – and then she looked around the room for Heathcliff. He was hard to find at first, but at last she saw him, skulking behind a chair. I could see he was ashamed to be seen beside such a sparkling young lady – and he certainly did look a sight. His clothes were covered with grime and dust, his hair was tangled, and his face and hands were a dismal shade of grey.

«Come along Heathcliff, there’s no need to hide,» cried Hindley, obviously enjoying the boy’s shame. «You can come and welcome Miss Catherine, just like the other servants.»

Cathy raced towards her old friend and covered him with kisses just like she used to do, but then she stopped and drew back in surprise, laughing out loud, «I’d forgotten how black and cross you look, Heathcliff, and how funny and grim! But that’s because I’m used to Edgar and Isabella, with their pretty golden hair.

Heathcliff stood silent and still as a stone.

В«Well, Heathcliff, have you forgotten me?В»

«Why don’t you talk to Miss Cathy?» said Hindley condescendingly «Just occasionally, that is allowed.»

«I shall not!» shouted the boy, racing from the room, «And I won’t stand being laughed at, I just won’t bear it!»

Later that day, I went to find Heathcliff.

В«Come into the kitchen with me, Heathcliff, and let me dress you neatly before Miss Cathy comes down. Then you can sit by the fire and have a long chat together.В»

But Heathcliff kept his head turned away from me.

«Are you coming, Heathcliff? There’s some supper waiting for you, but I’ll need a good half hour to clean you up first.»

I waited for five minutes, but there was no answer, so I left him to sulk on his own.

The next day, the Linton children were invited to the Heights for a Christmas party. We had prepared a great feast and there were presents for everyone… except Heathcliff. Mrs. Linton had accepted the Earnshaws’ invitation on condition that her little darlings were kept well away from that �naughty, swearing boy’.