Грозовой перевал
Chapter 3
Idescendedcautiouslytothelowerregions,andlandedinthebackkitchen,whereagleamoffire,rakedcompactlytogetherenabledmetorekindlemycandle.Nothingwasstirringexceptabrindled,greycat,whichcreptfromtheashesandsalutedmewithaquerulousmew.
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.Heglancedoverthebackofthebenchdilatinghisnostrils,andthoughtaslittleofexchangingcivilitieswithmeaswithmycompanionthecat.Iguessed,byhispreparations,thategresswasallowed,and,leavingmyhardcouch,madeamovementtofollowhim.
