Chapter 2

           Yesterdayafternoonsetinmistyandcold. Ihadhalfamindtospenditbymystudyfire,insteadofwadingthroughheathandmudtoWutheringHeights. Oncomingupfromdinnerhowever (N.B.—Idinebetweentwelveandoneo’clock;thehousekeeper,amatronlylady,takenasafixturealongwiththehouse,couldnot,orwouldnot,comprehendmyrequestthatImightbeservedatfive), onmountingthestairswiththislazyintention,andsteppingintotheroom,Isawaservant-girlonherkneessurroundedbybrushesandcoalscuttles,andraisinganinfernaldustassheextinguishedtheflameswithheapsofcinders. Thisspectacledrovemebackimmediately; Itookmyhat,and,afterafourmiles’walkarrivedatHeathcliff’sgardengatejustintimetoescapethefirstfeatheryflakesofasnow-shower. 

           Onthatbleakhill-toptheearthwashardwithablackfrost,andtheairmademeshiverthrougheverylimb. Beingunabletoremovethechain,Ijumpedover,and,runninguptheflaggedcausewayborderedwithstragglinggooseberrybushes,knockedvainlyforadmittance,tillmyknucklestingledandthedogshowled. 

           "Wretchedinmates!"Iejaculatedmentally,"youdeserveperpetualisolationfromyourspeciesforyourchurlishinhospitality. Atleast,Iwouldnotkeepmydoorbarredintheday-time. Idon’tcare—Iwillgetin! "Soresolved,Igraspedthelatchandshookitvehemently. Vinegar-facedJosephprojectedhisheadfromaroundwindowofthebarn. 

           "Whatareyefor? "heshouted. "T’maister’sdowni’t’fowld. Goroundbyth’endot’laith,ifyewenttospaketohim." 

           "Istherenobodyinsidetoopenthedoor? "Ihallooed,responsively.