Грозовой перевал
Chapter 1
Mr.Heathcliffandhismanclimbedthecellarstepswithvexatiousphlegm:Idon’tthinktheymovedonesecondfasterthanusual,thoughthehearthwasanabsolutetempestofworryingandyelping. Happily,aninhabitantofthekitchenmademoredespatch:alustydame,withtucked-upgown,barearms,andfire-flushedcheeks,rushedintothemidstofusflourishingafrying-pan: andusedthatweapon,andhertongue,tosuchpurpose,thatthestormsubsidedmagically,andsheonlyremained,heavinglikeaseaafterahighwind,whenhermasterenteredonthescene.
"Whatthedevilisthematter?"heasked,eyeingmeinamannerthatIcouldillendureafterthisinhospitabletreatment.
"Whatthedevil,indeed!"Imuttered."Theherdofpossessedswinecouldhavehadnoworsespiritsinthemthanthoseanimalsofyours,sir.Youmightaswellleaveastrangerwithabroodoftigers!"
"Theywon’tmeddlewithpersonswhotouchnothing,"heremarked,puttingthebottlebeforeme,andrestoringthedisplacedtable."Thedogsdorighttobevigilant.Takeaglassofwine?"
"No,thankyou."
"Notbitten,areyou?"
"IfIhadbeen,Iwouldhavesetmysignetonthebiter." Heathcliff’scountenancerelaxedintoagrin.
"Come,come,"hesaid,"youareflurried,Mr.Lockwood.Here,takealittlewine.GuestsaresoexceedinglyrareinthishousethatIandmydogs,Iamwillingtoown,hardlyknowhowtoreceivethem.Yourhealth,sir!"