“ ‘ Mr. Hareton, and the whole set of you, will be good enough to understand that I reject any pretence at kindness you have the hypocrisy to offer! I despise you, and will have nothing to say to any of you! When I would have given my life for one kind word, even to see one of your faces, you all kept off. But I won’t complain to you! I’m driven down here by the cold; not either to amuse you or enjoy your society.’

“ ‘What could I ha’ done?’ began Earnshaw. ‘How was I to blame?’

“ ‘Oh! you are an exception,’ answered Mrs. Heathcliff. ‘I never missed such a concern as you.’

“ ‘But I offered more than once, and asked,’ he said, kindling up at her pertness, ‘I asked Mr. Heathcliff to let me wake for you⁠—’