nture to stir or
raise his head, and Catherine could not move, on his account--'because
that lad yonder seems determined to beat me; and I'd thank his uncle to
be quick, and go before him! Hallo! has the whelp been playing that game
long? I _did_ give him some lessons about snivelling. Is he pretty
lively with Miss Linton generally?'

'Lively? no--he has shown the greatest distress,' I answered. 'To see
him, I should say, that instead of rambling with his sweetheart on the
hills, he ought to be in bed, under the hands of a doctor.'

'He shall be, in a day or two,' muttered Heathcliff. 'But first--get up,
Linton! Get up!' he shouted. 'Don't grovel on the ground there up, this
moment!'

Linton had sunk prostrate again in another paroxysm of helpless fear,
caused by his father's glance towards him, I suppose: there was nothing
else to produce such humiliation. He made several efforts to obey, but
his little strength was annihilated for the time, and he fell back again
with a moan. Mr. Heathcliff advanced, and lifted him to lean against a
ridge of turf.

'Now,' said he, with curbed ferocity, 'I'm getting angry and if you don't
command that paltry spirit of yours--_damn_ you! get up directly!'

'I will, father,' he panted. 'Only, let me alone, or I shall faint. I've
done as you wished, I'm sure. Catherine will tell you that I--that
I--have been cheerful. Ah! keep by me, Catherine; give me your hand.'

'Take mine,' said his father; 'stand on your feet. There now--she'll
lend you her arm: that's right, look at her. You would imagine I was the
devil himself, Miss Linton, to excite such horror. Be so kind as to walk
home with him, will you? He shudders if I touch him.'

'Linton dear!' whispered Catherine, 'I can't go to Wuthering Heights:
papa has forbidden me. He'll not harm you: why are you so afraid?'

'I can never re-enter that house,' he answered. 'I'm _not_ to re-enter
it without you!'

'Stop!' cried his father. 'We'll respect Catherine's filial scruples.
Nelly, take him in, and I'll follow your advice concerning the doctor,
without delay.'

'You'll do well,' replied I. 'But I must remain with my mistress: to
mind your son is not my business.'

'You are very stiff,' said Heathcliff, 'I know that: but you'll force me
to pinch the baby and make it scream before it moves your charity. Come,
then, my hero. Are you willing to return, escorted by me?'

He approached once more, and made as if