Page 299 - WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Wuthering Heights

property was left, and look over the concerns of his
brother-in- law. He was unfit for attending to such
matters then, but he bid me speak to his lawyer; and at
length permitted me to go. His lawyer had been

Earnshaw’s also: I called at the village, and asked him to
accompany me. He shook his head, and advised that
Heathcliff should be let alone; affirming, if the truth were
known, Hareton would be found little else than a beggar.
’His father died in debt,’ he said; ‘the whole property is
mortgaged, and the sole chance for the natural heir is to
allow him an opportunity of creating some interest in the
creditor’s heart, that he may be inclined to deal leniently
towards him.’
When I reached the Heights, I explained that I had
come to see everything carried on decently; and Joseph,
who appeared in sufficient distress, expressed satisfaction at
my presence. Mr. Heathcliff said he did not perceive that I
was wanted; but I might stay and order the arrangements
for the funeral, if I chose.
’Correctly,’ he remarked, ‘that fool’s body should he
buried at the cross-roads, without ceremony of any kind. I
happened to leave him ten minutes yesterday afternoon,
and in that interval he fastened the two doors of the house
against me, and he has spent the night in drinking himself

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