Sometimes, whilemeditatingonthesethingsinsolitude, I’vegotupinasuddenterror, andputonmybonnettogoseehowallwasatthefarm.I’vepersuadedmyconsciencethatitwasadutytowarnhimhowpeopletalkedregardinghisways; andthenI’verecollectedhisconfirmedbadhabits, and, hopelessofbenefitinghim, haveflinchedfromreenteringthedismalhouse, doubtingifIcouldbeartobetakenatmyword.
OnetimeIpassedtheoldgate, goingoutofmyway, : abrightfrostyafternoon; thegroundbare, ; aroughsandpillar, , ontheeast, G., andonthesouth-west, -posttotheGrange, theHeights, , remindingmeofsummer; andIcannotsaywhy, butallatonceagushofchild’-wornblock; and, stoopingdown, perceivedaholenearthebottomstillfullofsnail-shellsandpebbles, whichwewerefondofstoringtherewithmoreperishablethings; and, asfreshasreality, itappearedthatIbeheldmyearlyplaymateseatedonthewitheredturf: hisdark, squareheadbentforward, andhislittlehandscoopingouttheearthwithapieceofslate.‘PoorHindley!’ Iexclaimed, : mybodilyeyewascheatedintoamomentarybeliefthatthechildlifteditsfaceandstaredstraightintomine! Itvanishedinatwinkling; : supposingheshouldbedead! Ithought—orshoulddiesoon!—supposingitwereasignofdeath! ThenearerIgottothehousethemoreagitatedIgrew; : -locked, , myHareton, notalteredgreatlysinceIlefthim, tenmonthssince.
‘Godblessthee, darling!’ Icried, forgettinginstantaneouslymyfoolishfears.‘Hareton, it’sNelly! Nelly, thynurse.’
Heretreatedoutofarm’slength, andpickedupalargeflint.
