Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

CHAPTER I

1801—I have just returned from a visit to my landlord—the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with (1801. I have just come back from a visit to my landlord, the one lone neighbour I shall have to deal with). This is certainly a beautiful country! (This is certainly beautiful country!) In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society (In all England, I do not believe I could have picked a spot so fully cut off from the busy world). A perfect misanthropist’s Heaven—and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us (A perfect heaven for a hater of mankind, and Mr Heathcliff and I are just the pair to split the emptiness between us). A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously under their brows (A first-rate fellow! He little guessed how my heart warmed to him when I saw his black eyes pull back so distrustfully under their brows), as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves, with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I announced my name (his fingers hid themselves, with a guarded firmness, still deeper in his vest, as I gave my name).

“Mr. Heathcliff?” I said.

A nod was the answer.

“Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of calling as soon as possible after my arrival (Mr Lockwood, your new renter, sir. I give myself the honour of visiting as soon as I could after arriving), to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange (to say I hope I have not troubled you by pressing so hard to rent Thrushcross Grange): I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts— (I heard yesterday you had been having some thoughts—)”

“Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,” he interrupted, wincing (Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir, he cut in with a small twitch of pain). “I should not allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it—walk in! (I would not let anyone trouble me if I could stop it. Walk in!)”

The “walk in” was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment, “Go to the Deuce!” (The walk in was spoken through shut teeth, and carried the meaning, Go to the devil!) even the gate over which he leant manifested no sympathising movement to the words (even the gate he leaned on made no answering move to match the words); and I think that circumstance determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly reserved than myself (I think that fact settled me on accepting: I was curious about a man who seemed even more extremely closed-off than myself).

When he saw my horse’s breast fairly pushing the barrier, he did put out his hand to unchain it (he did reach out his hand to unchain it), and then sullenly preceded me up the causeway (When he saw my horse's chest actually pushing the gate, he did put out his hand to unchain it, and then walked ahead of me up the paved way in a dark silence), calling, as we entered the court (calling, as we came into the yard),—“Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood’s horse; and bring up some wine.”

“Here we have the whole establishment of domestics, I suppose,” was the reflection suggested by this compound order (So here is the whole staff of servants, I suppose, was the thought this doubled-up order raised in me). “No wonder the grass grows up between the flags, and cattle are the only hedge-cutters (No wonder grass grows up between the paving stones, and cows are the only hedge trimmers).”

Joseph was an elderly, nay, an old man, very old, perhaps, though hale and sinewy (Joseph was an elderly, no, an old man, very old perhaps, though healthy and wiry). “The Lord help us!” he soliloquised in an undertone of peevish displeasure, while relieving me of my horse (The Lord help us! he said to himself in a low cross grumble, while taking my horse from me): looking, meantime, in my face so sourly that I charitably conjectured he must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner (looking at my face all the while so sourly that I kindly guessed he must need heaven's help to digest his dinner), and his pious ejaculation had no reference to my unexpected advent (and that his godly outburst had nothing to do with my unexpected arrival).

Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff’s dwelling (Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr Heathcliff's home). “Wuthering” being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather (Wuthering is a telling local word, describing the wild uproar of air the place is open to in stormy weather). Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times (Pure, sharp fresh air they must have up there at all times), indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind, blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house (you can guess the strength of the north wind blowing over the edge by the extreme lean of a few undersized fir trees at the end of the house); and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun (and by a row of thin bony thorn trees all stretching their branches one way, as if begging the sun for charity). Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones (Luckily the builder had the sense to make it strong: the narrow windows are set deep in the wall, and the corners guarded with big sticking-out stones).

Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carving lavished over the front (Before stepping over the doorway, I stopped to admire a mass of strange twisted carving spread thickly over the front), and especially about the principal door; above which, among a wilderness of crumbling griffins and shameless little boys, I detected the date “1500,” and the name “Hareton Earnshaw.” (above which, among a tangle of crumbling stone monster-birds and naked little boys, I made out the date 1500 and the name Hareton Earnshaw) (and the name Hareton Earnshaw) I would have made a few comments, and requested a short history of the place from the surly owner (I would have made a few remarks, and asked the sour-tempered owner for a short history of the place); but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy entrance, or complete departure, and I had no desire to aggravate his impatience previous to inspecting the penetralium (but his stance at the door seemed to demand that I either come in quickly or leave altogether, and I had no wish to sharpen his impatience before seeing the inner rooms).

One step brought us into the family sitting-room, without any introductory lobby or passage: they call it here “the house” pre-eminently (One step brought us into the family sitting room, with no entrance hall or corridor first. Here they call it the house, above every other room). It includes kitchen and parlour, generally (Usually it takes in both kitchen and sitting room); but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat altogether into another quarter (but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen has been pushed back entirely into another part of the house): at least I distinguished a chatter of tongues, and a clatter of culinary utensils, deep within (at least I made out a chatter of voices and a rattle of cooking tools deep inside); and I observed no signs of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace; nor any glitter of copper saucepans and tin cullenders on the walls (I saw no sign of roasting, boiling or baking round the huge fireplace, nor any shine of copper pans and tin strainers on the walls). One end, indeed, reflected splendidly both light and heat from ranks of immense pewter dishes, interspersed with silver jugs and tankards, towering row after row, on a vast oak dresser, to the very roof (One end, indeed, threw back both light and heat splendidly from rows of huge grey-metal dishes, mixed with silver jugs and drinking mugs, piled row on row up a great oak dresser to the very roof). The latter had never been under-drawn: its entire anatomy lay bare to an inquiring eye, except where a frame of wood laden with oatcakes and clusters of legs of beef, mutton, and ham, concealed it (The roof had never been boarded over underneath: its whole frame lay bare to a curious eye, except where a wooden rack loaded with oat cakes and hanging bunches of beef, sheep meat and ham hid it). Above the chimney were sundry villainous old guns, and a couple of horse-pistols (Above the fireplace hung various evil-looking old guns, and a pair of riding pistols): and, by way of ornament, three gaudily painted canisters disposed along its ledge (and for decoration, three brightly painted tin boxes set along its shelf). The floor was of smooth, white stone; the chairs, high-backed, primitive structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking in the shade (The floor was smooth white stone. The chairs were high-backed, rough old-fashioned things painted green, with one or two heavy black ones waiting in the shadows). In an arch under the dresser reposed a huge, liver-coloured bitch pointer, surrounded by a swarm of squealing puppies; and other dogs haunted other recesses (In an arched space under the dresser lay a huge brown-red mother hunting dog, ringed by a swarm of squealing puppies, and other dogs hung about other corners).

The apartment and furniture would have been nothing extraordinary as belonging to a homely, northern farmer, with a stubborn countenance, and stalwart limbs set out to advantage in knee-breeches and gaiters (The room and furniture would have been nothing unusual as the property of a plain northern farmer with a stubborn face and strong sturdy legs shown off in knee-trousers and leg coverings). Such an individual seated in his arm-chair, his mug of ale frothing on the round table before him, is to be seen in any circuit of five or six miles among these hills (Such a man, sitting in his armchair with his mug of beer foaming on the round table before him, can be found within any five or six mile round among these hills), if you go at the right time after dinner (can be seen anywhere within five or six miles among these hills, if you go at the right time after dinner). But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular contrast to his abode and style of living (But Mr Heathcliff stands in strange contrast to his home and way of living). He is a dark-skinned gipsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire (In looks he is a dark-skinned gipsy. In dress and manners he is a gentleman, that is, as much a gentleman as many a country landowner): rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence, because he has an erect and handsome figure; and rather morose (rather careless in dress, perhaps, yet not looking wrong for the carelessness, because he has an upright, handsome build. And rather gloomy). Possibly, some people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred pride; I have a sympathetic chord within that tells me it is nothing of the sort (Some people might suspect him of a touch of low-born pride. Something fellow-feeling in me says it is nothing of the kind): I know, by instinct, his reserve springs from an aversion to showy displays of feeling—to manifestations of mutual kindliness (I know by instinct that his closed manner comes from a dislike of showy displays of feeling, of open shows of shared warmth). He’ll love and hate equally under cover, and esteem it a species of impertinence to be loved or hated again (He will love and hate alike in secret, and count it a kind of rudeness to be loved or hated in return). No, I’m running on too fast: I bestow my own attributes over-liberally on him (No, I am running ahead too fast. I pour my own qualities too freely onto him). Mr. Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be acquaintance, to those which actuate me (Mr Heathcliff may have wholly different reasons for keeping his hand back when he meets a possible friend than the ones that move me). Let me hope my constitution is almost peculiar: my dear mother used to say I should never have a comfortable home (Let me hope my nature is nearly one of a kind. My dear mother used to say I would never have a comfortable home); and only last summer I proved myself perfectly unworthy of one (and only last summer I proved myself completely undeserving of one).

While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-coast, I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature: a real goddess in my eyes, as long as she took no notice of me (While enjoying a month of fine weather at the seaside, I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating creature, a real goddess in my eyes, as long as she paid me no attention). I “never told my love” vocally; still, if looks have language, the merest idiot might have guessed I was over head and ears (I never spoke my love out loud. Still, if looks can talk, the simplest fool could have guessed I was head over heels): she understood me at last, and looked a return—the sweetest of all imaginable looks. And what did I do? (she understood me at last, and gave a look back, the sweetest look that can be imagined. And what did I do?) I confess it with shame (And what did I do? To my shame I admit it)—shrunk icily into myself, like a snail; at every glance retired colder and farther (I admit it with shame: I pulled coldly into myself like a snail, drawing back colder and further at every glance); till finally the poor innocent was led to doubt her own senses, and, overwhelmed with confusion at her supposed mistake, persuaded her mamma to decamp (until at last the poor innocent girl was brought to doubt her own senses, and, crushed with embarrassment at her supposed mistake, talked her mother into packing up and leaving).

By this curious turn of disposition I have gained the reputation of deliberate heartlessness; how undeserved, I alone can appreciate (By this odd twist of character I have earned a name for cold-blooded heartlessness. How little I deserve it, only I can know).

I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone opposite that towards which my landlord advanced (I took a seat at the end of the fireplace stone across from the one my landlord moved towards), and filled up an interval of silence by attempting to caress the canine mother, who had left her nursery (who had left her litter of pups), and was sneaking wolfishly to the back of my legs (filled a stretch of silence by trying to pet the dog mother, who had left her litter and was creeping wolf-like towards the back of my legs), her lip curled up, and her white teeth watering for a snatch. My caress provoked a long, guttural gnarl (her lip curled and her white teeth hungry for a bite. My petting drew a long angry throat-sound).

“You’d better let the dog alone,” growled Mr. Heathcliff in unison, checking fiercer demonstrations with a punch of his foot (You had better leave the dog alone, growled Mr Heathcliff in time with her, stopping any fiercer moves with a shove of his foot). “She’s not accustomed to be spoiled—not kept for a pet (She is not used to being fussed over. She is not kept as a pet).” Then, striding to a side door, he shouted again, “Joseph!” (Then, marching to a side door, he shouted again, Joseph!)

Joseph mumbled indistinctly in the depths of the cellar, but gave no intimation of ascending; so his master dived down to him (Joseph muttered something unclear deep in the cellar, but gave no hint of coming up, so his master plunged down to him), leaving me vis-à-vis the ruffianly bitch and a pair of grim shaggy sheep-dogs, who shared with her a jealous guardianship over all my movements (leaving me face to face with the rough brute of a mother dog and a pair of grim shaggy sheep dogs, who shared with her a watchful guard over my every movement). Not anxious to come in contact with their fangs, I sat still (Not eager to meet their teeth, I sat still); but, imagining they would scarcely understand tacit insults, I unfortunately indulged in winking and making faces at the trio (thinking they could hardly understand silent insults, I unwisely amused myself winking and pulling faces at the three of them), and some turn of my physiognomy so irritated madam, that she suddenly broke into a fury and leapt on my knees (and some twist of my face so angered the lady dog that she suddenly flew into a rage and jumped at my knees). I flung her back, and hastened to interpose the table between us (I threw her back and rushed to put the table between us). This proceeding aroused the whole hive: half-a-dozen four-footed fiends, of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens to the common centre (This move stirred up the whole nest. Half a dozen four-footed devils of assorted sizes and ages poured out of hidden corners into the middle of the room). I felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault (I felt my heels and coat edges singled out for attack); and parrying off the larger combatants as effectually as I could with the poker, I was constrained to demand, aloud, assistance from some of the household in re-establishing peace (and beating off the bigger fighters as well as I could with the fire poker, I was forced to call out loud for help from someone in the house to bring back peace).

Mr. Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with vexatious phlegm: I don’t think they moved one second faster than usual (Mr Heathcliff and his man climbed the cellar steps with maddening slowness. I do not think they moved one second faster than usual), though the hearth was an absolute tempest of worrying and yelping (though the fireside was a complete storm of snapping and yelping). Happily, an inhabitant of the kitchen made more dispatch; a lusty dame, with tucked-up gown, bare arms, and fire-flushed cheeks, rushed into the midst of us flourishing a frying-pan (Luckily someone from the kitchen moved faster: a strong hearty woman with her dress tucked up, bare arms and cheeks red from the fire rushed into the middle of us waving a frying pan): and used that weapon, and her tongue, to such purpose, that the storm subsided magically (and used that weapon, and her tongue, to such effect that the storm died down like magic), and she only remained, heaving like a sea after a high wind, when her master entered on the scene (only she was left, her chest rising and falling like a sea after a strong wind, when her master arrived on the scene).

“What the devil is the matter?” he asked, eyeing me in a manner that I could ill endure after this inhospitable treatment (he asked, eyeing me in a way I could hardly bear after such unwelcoming treatment).

“What the devil, indeed!” I muttered (What the devil indeed! I said under my breath). “The herd of possessed swine could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir (The herd of devil-filled pigs in the Bible story could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir). You might as well leave a stranger with a brood of tigers! (You might as well leave a stranger with a family of tigers!)”

“They won’t meddle with persons who touch nothing,” he remarked, putting the bottle before me, and restoring the displaced table (They will not bother people who touch nothing, he remarked, setting the bottle in front of me and putting the shifted table back). “The dogs do right to be vigilant. Take a glass of wine? (The dogs are right to keep watch. A glass of wine?)”

“No, thank you.”

“Not bitten, are you?”

“If I had been, I would have set my signet on the biter (If I had been bitten, I would have left my seal-ring's stamp on the biter).” Heathcliff’s countenance relaxed into a grin (Heathcliff's face eased into a grin).

“Come, come,” he said, “you are flurried, Mr. Lockwood (Come, come, he said, you are rattled, Mr Lockwood). Here, take a little wine. Guests are so exceedingly rare in this house that I and my dogs, I am willing to own, hardly know how to receive them (Guests are so extremely rare in this house that I and my dogs, I freely admit, hardly know how to welcome them). Your health, sir?”

I bowed and returned the pledge; beginning to perceive that it would be foolish to sit sulking for the misbehaviour of a pack of curs (I bowed and drank the toast back, starting to see it would be silly to sit in a dark mood over the bad conduct of a pack of low street dogs); besides, I felt loth to yield the fellow further amusement at my expense; since his humour took that turn (besides, I hated to give the fellow more fun at my cost, since his mood had taken that turn). He—probably swayed by prudential consideration of the folly of offending a good tenant—relaxed a little in the laconic style of chipping off his pronouns and auxiliary verbs (He, probably moved by the careful thought that offending a good renter would be foolish, eased a little his clipped way of chopping off his small words), and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of interest to me,—a discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of my present place of retirement (and brought up what he supposed would interest me, a talk on the good and bad points of my present place of retreat). I found him very intelligent on the topics we touched; and before I went home, I was encouraged so far as to volunteer another visit to-morrow (I found him very intelligent on the subjects we touched, and before I went home I was so far encouraged as to offer another visit tomorrow). He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion. I shall go, notwithstanding (He clearly wanted no repeat of my intrusion. I shall go all the same). It is astonishing how sociable I feel myself compared with him (It is astonishing how sociable I feel next to him).