CHAPTER V

InthecourseoftimeMr.Earnshawbegantofail.Hehadbeenactiveandhealthy,yethisstrengthlefthimsuddenlyandwhenhewasconfinedtothechimney-cornerhegrewgrievouslyirritable.Anothingvexedhimandsuspectedslightsofhisauthoritynearlythrewhimintofits.Thiswasespeciallytoberemarkedifanyoneattemptedtoimposeupon,ordomineerover,hisfavourite:hewaspainfullyjealouslestawordshouldbespokenamisstohimseemingtohavegotintohisheadthenotionthat,becausehelikedHeathcliff,allhated,andlongedtodohimanill-turn.Itwasadisadvantagetotheladforthekinderamongusdidnotwishtofretthemaster,sowehumouredhispartialityandthathumouringwasrichnourishmenttothechild’sprideandblacktempers.Stillitbecameinamannernecessarytwice,orthrice,Hindley’smanifestationofscorn,whilehisfatherwasnear,rousedtheoldmantoafury:heseizedhissticktostrikehim,andshookwithragethathecouldnotdoit. Atlast,ourcurate(wehadacuratethenwhomadethelivinganswerbyteachingthelittleLintonsandEarnshaws,andfarminghisbitoflandhimself)advisedthattheyoungmanshouldbesenttocollegeandMr.Earnshawagreed,thoughwithaheavyspirit,forhesaid—“Hindleywasnought,andwouldneverthriveaswherehewandered.” Ihopedheartilyweshouldhavepeacenow.Ithurtmetothinkthemastershouldbemadeuncomfortablebyhisowngooddeed.Ifanciedthediscontentofageanddiseasearosefromhisfa