encroached bearishly over his cheeks, and his hands were embrowned like those of a common laborer; still his bearing was free, almost haughty; and he showed none of a domestic's assiduity in attending on the lady of the house.
In the absence of clear proofs of his condition, I deemed it best to abstain from noticing his curious conduct, and, five minutes afterward, the entrance of Heathcliff relieved me, in some measure, fix>m my uncomfortable state.
"You see, sir, I am come, according to promise" I exclaimed, assuming the cheerful, "and I fear I shall be weather-bound for half an hour, if you can afford me shelter during that apace."
"Half an hour?" he said, shaking the white flakes from his clothes; "I wonder you should select the thick of a snowstorm to ramble about in. Do you know that you run a risk of being lost in the marshes? People familiar with these moors often miss their road on such evenings, and, I can tell you, there is no chance of a change at present."
"Perhaps I can get a guide among your lads, and he might stay at the Grange till morning—could you spare me one?"
"No, I could not."
"Oh, indeed! Well then, I must trust to my own sagacity."
"Umph."
"Are you going to mak th' tea?" demanded he of the shabby coat, shifting his ferocious gaze from me to the young lady.
"Is he to have any?" she asked, appealing to Heathcliff.
"Get it ready, will you!" was the answer, uttered so savagely that I started. The tone in which the words were said revealed a genuine bad nature. I no longer felt inclined to call Heathcliff a capital fellow.
When the preparations were finished, he invited me with—
"Now, sir, bring forward your chair." And we all, including the rustic youth, drew round the table, an austere silence prevailing while we discussed our meal.
I thought, if I had caused the cloud, it was my duty to make an effort to dispel it. They could not every day sit so grim and taciturn, and it was impossible, however ill-tempered they might be, that the universal scowl they wore was their every-day countenance.
"It is strange," I began, in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea, and receiving another, "it is strange how custom
