'Very well, if we can keep him, Ellen.

The company of a child of his own age will instil new spirit into him soon, and by wishing for strength he'll gain it.' 'Ay, if we can keep him!' I mused to myself; and sore misgivings came over me that there was slight hope of that.

And then, I thought, how ever will that weakling live at Wuthering Heights?
Between his father and Hareton, what playmates and instructors they'll be.

Our doubts were presently decided--even earlier than I expected.

I had just taken the children up-stairs, after tea was finished, and seen Linton asleep--he would not suffer me to leave him till that was the case--I had come down, and was standing by the table in the hall, lighting a bedroom candle for Mr.Edgar, when a maid stepped out of the kitchen and informed me that Mr.Heathcliff's servant Joseph was at the door, and wished to speak with the master.
'I shall ask him what he wants first,' I said, in considerable trepidation.