Chapter 10

           Acharmingintroductiontoahermit’slife!Fourweeks’torture,tossing,andsickness!Oh!thesebleakwindsandbitternorthernskies,andimpassableroads,anddilatorycountrysurgeons!And,oh,thisdearthofthehumanphysiognomy!and,worsethanall,theterribleintimationofKenneththatIneednotexpecttobeoutofdoorstillspring.

           Mr.Heathcliffhasjusthonouredmewithacall.Aboutsevendaysagohesentmeabraceofgrouse—thelastoftheseason.Scoundrel!Heisnotaltogetherguiltlessinthisillnessofmine;andthatIhadagreatmindtotellhim.But,alas!howcouldIoffendamanwhowascharitableenoughtositatmybedsideagoodhour,andtalkonsomeothersubjectthanpillsanddraughts,blistersandleeches?Thisisquiteaneasyinterval.Iamtooweaktoread;yetIfeelasifIcouldenjoysomethinginteresting.WhynothaveupMrs.Deantofinishhertale?Icanrecollectitschiefincidentsasfarasshehadgone.Yes:Irememberherherohadrunoff,andneverbeenheardofforthreeyears;andtheheroinewasmarried.I’llring:she’llbedelightedtofindmecapableoftalkingcheerfully.Mrs.Deancame.

           "Itwantstwentyminutes,sir,totakingthemedicine,"shecommenced.

           "Away,awaywithit!"Ireplied;"Idesiretohave-"

           "Thedoctorsaysyoumustdropthepowders."

           "Withallmyheart!Don’tinterruptme.Comeandtakeyourseathere.Keepyourfingersfromthatbitterphalanxofvials.Drawyourknittingoutofyourpocket—thatwilldo—nowcontinuethehistoryofMr.