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 owner of let land)—the solitary (alone) neighbour (one living near) that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir (to move; to rouse) of society. A perfect misanthropist (a hater of mankind)’s Heaven—and Mr. Heathcliff (the dark foundling brought home to the Heights, who grows into its fierce master) and I are such a suitable (fitting) pair to divide (to split into parts) the desolation (ruined emptiness) between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart warmed towards him when I beheld (to see; look upon) his black eyes withdraw (to draw back) so suspiciously (with distrust) under their brows (the forehead), as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered (a protecting cover) themselves, with a jealous (fearful of a rival) resolution, still further in his waistcoat (a vest worn under the coat), as I announced my name.

“Mr. Heathcliff?” I said.

A nod (to bow the head slightly) was the answer.

“Mr. Lockwood (the tenant of the Grange), your new tenant (one who rents a house or land), sir. I do myself the honour (honor) of calling as soon as possible after my arrival (a coming), to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced (troublesome bother) you by my perseverance (steady keeping on) in soliciting (a lawyer of family business) the occupation (one's work; military holding) of Thrushcross Grange (the Lintons' house in the valley): I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts—”

“Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,” he interrupted (to break in upon), wincing (to shrink as from a blow). “I should not allow any one to inconvenience (troublesome bother) me, if I could hinder (to hold back) it—walk in!”

The “walk in” was uttered (complete; to speak) with closed teeth, and expressed the sentiment (a tender feeling), “Go to the Deuce!” even the gate (a wall's door) over which he leant (leaned) manifested (plain to see; to show plainly) no sympathising (sympathised: felt with another) movement to the words; and I think that circumstance (a surrounding fact or condition) determined me to accept the invitation (a bidding to come): I felt interested in a man who seemed more exaggeratedly (to an exaggerated degree) reserved (held back; distant in manner) than myself.

When he saw my horse’s breast (the chest) fairly pushing the barrier (a bar in the way), he did put out his hand to unchain (unchained: loosed) it, and then sullenly (in gloomy ill humor) preceded (to come before) me up the causeway (a paved path), calling, as we entered the court,—“Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood’s horse; and bring up some wine.”

“Here we have the whole establishment (a set-up institution) of domestics, I suppose,” was the reflection (a thrown-back image; thought) suggested by this compound (to mix together; made of parts) order. “No wonder the grass (the green ground plant) grows up between the flags, and cattle (cows and oxen) are the only hedge-cutters (those that cut the hedges).”

Joseph was an elderly (getting old), nay (no — an old word), an old man, very old, perhaps, though hale (strong and healthy) and sinewy (lean and strong with cords of muscle). “The Lord help us!” he soliloquised (soliloquised: spoke to himself) in an undertone (a lowered voice) of peevish (cross and fretful) displeasure (annoyed disapproval), while relieving (to ease; to take another's place on duty) me of my horse: looking, meantime (the time between), in my face so sourly (in a bitter surly way) that I charitably (kindly) conjectured (a guess) he must have need of divine (divined: guessed) aid to digest (to break down food; to absorb in mind) his dinner, and his pious (devout) ejaculation (ejaculations: sudden cries) had no reference to my unexpected (not looked for) advent (the coming of).

Wuthering Heights (the Earnshaws' farmhouse on the moor) is the name of Mr. Heathcliff’s dwelling (a place lived in). “Wuthering (Wuthering Heights, the farmhouse; wuthering: stormy, in local speech)” being a significant provincial (of the provinces; behind the capital's ways) adjective (adjectives: describing words), descriptive (giving a picture in words) of the atmospheric (of the weather) tumult (wild noisy uproar) to which its station is exposed in stormy (full of storm) weather. Pure, bracing (to steady; a supporting pair) ventilation (the supply of 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 (too much) slant (to slope) of a few stunted (a daring trick) firs (the evergreen cone tree) at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt (thin and worn) thorns (a sharp point on a plant; a thorny bush) all stretching (to draw out) their limbs (an arm or leg; a branch) one way, as if craving (a strong longing) alms (almost) of the sun. Happily (with happiness), the architect (a designer of buildings) had foresight (seeing ahead) to build it strong: the narrow (of little width) windows are deeply (to a great depth) set in the wall, and the corners defended (to guard against attack) with large jutting (sticking out) stones.

Before passing the threshold (the door's sill), I paused (a brief stop) to admire (to look on with wonder) a quantity (an amount) of grotesque (twisted and unnatural) carving (shaped stonework) lavished (given freely and richly) over the front, and especially about the principal door; above which, among a wilderness (a wild waste) of crumbling (to break into crumbs) griffins (a fabled beast, half eagle, half lion) and shameless (without shame) little boys, I detected (to find out) the date “1500,” and the name “Hareton Earnshaw (Hindley's son, brought up rough at the Heights).” I would have made a few comments, and requested a short history of the place from the surly (gruff and ill-tempered) owner; but his attitude at the door appeared to demand my speedy (fast) entrance (the way in), or complete departure (a going away), and I had no desire to aggravate (aggravated: made worse; with violence added) his impatience (restless eagerness) previous to inspecting (to examine officially) the penetralium (the innermost part — Latin).

One step brought us into the family sitting-room (the family sitting room), without any introductory (leading in) lobby (an entrance passage) or passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here): they call it here “the house” pre-eminently (above all). It includes kitchen and parlour (the sitting room), generally; but I believe at Wuthering Heights the kitchen is forced to retreat (a falling back) altogether (wholly) into another quarter: at least I distinguished (to tell apart) a chatter (quick idle talk) of tongues (the mouth's organ; a language), and a clatter (a rattling noise) of culinary (of cooking) utensils (a household tool), deep within; and I observed (to watch; to remark) no signs of roasting (cooking by fire), boiling (bubbling with heat), or baking (to cook in an oven), about the huge fireplace (the open place for a fire in a room); nor any glitter (to sparkle) of copper (a big metal pot for boiling; the metal) saucepans (a cooking pot) and tin (the soft white metal) cullenders (cullenders: colanders, pierced bowls for straining) on the walls. One end, indeed, reflected (to throw back; to think over) splendidly (grandly) both light and heat from ranks (a line of soldiers; one's standing) of immense (vastly great) pewter (a dull grey metal for dishes) dishes (a plate; a prepared food), interspersed (scattered here and there among) with silver jugs (a deep pitcher) and tankards (tankards: large drinking mugs), towering row after row, on a vast (very great) oak (the great hardwood tree) dresser (one who dresses another), to the very roof. The latter had never been under-drawn (under-drawn: with a ceiling below the roof): its entire anatomy (the make-up of the body) lay bare (uncovered) to an inquiring (to ask) eye, except where a frame of wood laden (loaded) with oatcakes (a flat cake of oatmeal) and clusters (a close bunch) of legs of beef (ox meat), mutton (sheep's meat), and ham (the pig's cured thigh), concealed (to hide) it. Above the chimney (the smoke shaft of a house) were sundry (sun-dry: to hang and dry in the sun, in grim jest) villainous (wicked) old guns, and a couple of horse-pistols (large pistols carried on horseback): and, by way of ornament (a decoration), three gaudily (in a showy flashy way) painted canisters (cannon shot of scattering balls) disposed (to arrange; to incline) along its ledge (a narrow shelf). The floor was of smooth (even; without roughness), white stone; the chairs, high-backed (with a high back), primitive (of the earliest kind) structures, painted green: one or two heavy black ones lurking (to lie hidden in wait) in the shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color). In an arch (a curved span) under the dresser (one who dresses another) reposed (rest; calm) a huge, liver-coloured (dark reddish brown) bitch pointer (a pointing finger or dog), surrounded (to close in on every side) by a swarm (a moving crowd of bees or men) of squealing (shrill crying) puppies (a young dog); and other dogs haunted (to visit as a ghost) other recesses (a set-back hollow).

The apartment and furniture (the fittings of a house) would have been nothing extraordinary (beyond the ordinary) as belonging (to be one's own; to be part of) to a homely (plain and homelike), northern farmer (one who works the land), with a stubborn (refusing to bend) countenance (the face; composure), and stalwart (sturdy and strong) limbs (an arm or leg; a branch) set out to advantage in knee-breeches (breeches to the knee) and gaiters (gaiters: cloth coverings for the lower leg). Such an individual seated in his arm-chair (a chair with arms), his mug (a drinking cup) of ale frothing (foam) on the round table before him, is to be seen in any circuit (a circling course) of five or six miles among these hills, if you go at the right time after dinner. But Mr. Heathcliff forms a singular (strange; one of a kind) contrast (a set difference) to his abode (a home; dwelling place) and style of living. He is a dark-skinned (dark-skinned) gipsy (a wandering Romany) in aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here), in dress and manners a gentleman (a man of good birth and manners): that is, as much a gentleman (a man of good birth and manners) as many a country squire (a country landowner): rather slovenly (untidy and careless), perhaps, yet not looking amiss (wrong; out of order) with his negligence (careless neglect), because he has an erect (to raise up; upright) and handsome (fine-looking) figure; and rather morose (gloomy and sour). Possibly, some people might suspect him of a degree of under-bred (ill-bred) pride (high self-regard); I have a sympathetic (sharing another's feeling) chord (notes sounded together) within that tells me it is nothing of the sort: I know, by instinct (inborn prompting), his reserve springs from an aversion (strong dislike) to showy (made for display) displays of feeling—to manifestations (a showing forth) of mutual (shared on both sides) kindliness (gentle kindness). He’ll love and hate equally (in equal measure) under cover, and esteem (high regard) it a species of impertinence (rudeness) to be loved or hated again. No, I’m running on too fast: I bestow (given as a gift) my own attributes (a quality belonging to) over-liberally (too freely) on him. Mr. Heathcliff may have entirely dissimilar (unlike) reasons for keeping his hand out of the way when he meets a would-be (wishing to be) acquaintance (a person one knows slightly), to those which actuate (to move to action) me. Let me hope my constitution is almost peculiar (peculiar: its own; particular — the old sense here): my dear mother used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to say I should never have a comfortable home; and only last summer I proved myself perfectly unworthy (not worthy) of one.

While enjoying a month of fine weather at the sea-coast (sea-coast: the shore), I was thrown into the company of a most fascinating (holding one spellbound) creature (a living being): a real goddess (a female god) in my eyes, as long as she took no notice of me. I “never told my love” vocally (in words); still, if looks have language, the merest (nothing more than) idiot (a fool) might have guessed I was over head and ears (the organ of hearing): she understood me at last, and looked a return—the sweetest (most sweet) of all imaginable (able to be imagined) looks. And what did I do? I confess (to own up; to make confession) it with shame—shrunk (made smaller; drawn back) icily (coldly) into myself, like a snail (the slow creature with a shell); at every glance (a quick look) retired (to withdraw) colder and farther; till finally the poor innocent (free of guilt) was led to doubt her own senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment), and, overwhelmed (buried under; overcome) with confusion (mixed-up disorder) at her supposed mistake, persuaded (to win over by words) her mamma (mother) to decamp (to go off suddenly).

By this curious (eager to know; strange) turn of disposition (temper of mind; battle arrangement) I have gained the reputation (one's standing in others' eyes) of deliberate (carefully weighed; to weigh) heartlessness (want of feeling); how undeserved (not deserved), I alone can appreciate.

I took a seat at the end of the hearthstone (the flat stone floor of a fireplace) opposite that towards which my landlord (the owner of let land) advanced, and filled up an interval (a space between) of silence (stillness; to make quiet) by attempting to caress (a tender touch) the canine (of dogs) mother, who had left her nursery (the children's room), and was sneaking (to slip away secretly) wolfishly (like a wolf) to the back of my legs, her lip (the mouth's edge) curled (a coiled lock of hair) up, and her white teeth watering for a snatch (to grab quickly). My caress (a tender touch) provoked (to stir to anger) a long, guttural (from deep in the throat) gnarl (twisted and knotted).

“You’d better let the dog alone,” growled (a low angry rumble) Mr. Heathcliff in unison (all together as one), checking fiercer (more fierce) demonstrations (a plain showing) with a punch (a blow of the fist; the party drink) of his foot. “She’s not accustomed (used to) to be spoiled (to ruin; plundered goods)—not kept for a pet (a favorite kept animal; to stroke fondly).” Then, striding (a long step) to a side door, he shouted (a loud cry) again, “Joseph!”

Joseph mumbled (to speak low and unclearly) indistinctly (not clearly) in the depths of the cellar (an underground storeroom), but gave no intimation (a first faint sign) of ascending (going up); so his master dived (to plunge in) down to him, leaving me vis-à-vis (face to face — French) the ruffianly (rough and brutal) bitch and a pair of grim (hard and stern) shaggy (covered with rough hair) sheep-dogs (dogs that herd sheep), who shared with her a jealous (fearful of a rival) guardianship (care and protection) over all my movements. Not anxious (full of worry) to come in contact with their fangs (a long sharp tooth), I sat still; but, imagining they would scarcely (hardly) understand tacit (silent by nature) insults (an offense to honor), I unfortunately indulged (to give way to a pleasure) in winking (to close one eye quickly) and making faces at the trio (a group of three), and some turn of my physiognomy (the cast of a face; inner character shown outwardly) so irritated (annoyed) madam (my lady), that she suddenly broke into a fury (raging anger) and leapt (jumped) on my knees (the leg's middle joint). I flung (to throw with force) her back, and hastened (to hurry) to interpose (to put in a word between others) the table between us. This proceeding (going on; a step taken) aroused (stirred up; awakened) the whole hive (the bees' house): half-a-dozen (six) four-footed (having four feet) fiends (a devil), of various sizes and ages, issued from hidden dens (a beast's lair) to the common centre. I felt my heels (the foot's back) and coat-laps (the tails of a coat) peculiar (peculiar: its own; particular — the old sense here) subjects of assault (a violent attack); and parrying (to turn aside) off the larger combatants (a fighter) as effectually (with real effect) as I could with the poker (the metal rod for stirring a fire), I was constrained (to force; hold in) to demand, aloud (out loud), assistance from some of the household (all who live in a house) in re-establishing (setting up again) peace.

Mr. Heathcliff and his man climbed (to go up) the cellar (an underground storeroom) steps with vexatious (annoying) phlegm (sluggish calm): I don’t think they moved one second faster than usual, though the hearth (the floor of the fireplace; the fireside) was an absolute tempest (a violent storm) of worrying (troubling) and yelping (a sharp quick cry). Happily (with happiness), an inhabitant (one who lives in a place) of the kitchen made more dispatch (to send off; an official message); a lusty (full of strength) dame (an old woman; a mistress of a house), with tucked-up (gathered up out of the way) gown (a woman's long dress), bare (uncovered) arms, and fire-flushed (flushed from the fire) cheeks (the side of the face), rushed (to move with violent haste) into the midst (the middle) of us flourishing (to thrive; to wave grandly) a frying-pan (the flat pan for frying): and used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) that weapon, and her tongue (the mouth's organ; a language), to such purpose, that the storm subsided (to sink down; die away) magically (as if by magic), and she only remained, heaving (heavens! — a cry of surprise) like a sea after a high wind, when her master entered on the scene.

“What the devil (the evil one) is the matter?” he asked, eyeing me in a manner that I could ill endure (to bear; to last) after this inhospitable (harsh and unwelcoming) treatment.

“What the devil (the evil one), indeed!” I muttered (to speak low in the throat). “The herd (a group of grazing beasts) of possessed (owned; held) swine (pigs) could have had no worse spirits in them than those animals of yours, sir. You might as well leave a stranger (one unknown) with a brood (brooding: dwelling darkly on) of tigers (the great striped cat)!”

“They won’t meddle (to interfere) with persons who touch nothing,” he remarked (to say; to notice), putting the bottle before me, and restoring (to bring back) the displaced (to push out of place) table. “The dogs do right to be vigilant (watchful). Take a glass of wine?”

“No, thank you.”

“Not bitten (to cut with the teeth), are you?”

“If I had been, I would have set my signet (a seal-stamp ring) on the biter (one who bites).” Heathcliff’s countenance (the face; composure) relaxed (to loosen; rest) into a grin (a wide smile).

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

I bowed (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) and returned the pledge (a solemn promise); beginning to perceive (to see and grasp) that it would be foolish (without sense) to sit sulking (sulks: fits of moody silence) for the misbehaviour (bad behaviour) of a pack of curs (a low mixed-breed dog; a mean fellow); besides, I felt loth (unwilling) to yield (to give way; to give forth) the fellow further amusement (light entertainment) at my expense (cost); since his humour (a mood; a sense of fun) took that turn. He—probably swayed (to swing from side to side; to rule) by prudential (prudent) consideration (careful thought; regard) of the folly (foolishness) of offending (to hurt feelings; to sin against) a good tenant (one who rents a house or land)—relaxed (to loosen; rest) a little in the laconic (using few words) style of chipping (a small cut piece) off his pronouns (a word standing for a noun) and auxiliary (helping; supporting) verbs (action words), and introduced what he supposed would be a subject of interest (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) to me,—a discourse (formal talk) on the advantages and disadvantages (an unfavorable position) of my present place of retirement. I found him very intelligent (quick of mind) on the topics (a subject of talk) we touched; and before I went home, I was encouraged (to give heart to) so far as to volunteer (one who offers himself freely) another visit to-morrow. He evidently (as plainly appears) wished no repetition (saying or doing again) of my intrusion (a pushing in unwanted). I shall go, notwithstanding (in spite of). It is astonishing (greatly surprised) how sociable (fond of company) I feel myself compared with him.