We saw him walking to and fro in the garden while we concluded our meal, and Earnshaw said he'd go and ask why he would not dine: he thought we had grieved him some way.
'Well, is he coming ?' cried Catherine, when her cousin returned.
'Nay,' he answered; 'but he's not angry: he seemed rarely pleased indeed; only I made him impatient by speaking to him twice; and then he bid me be off to you: he wondered how I could want the company of anybody else.' I set his plate to keep warm on the fender; and after an hour or two he re-entered, when the room was clear, in no degree calmer: the same unnatural--it was unnatural--appearance of joy under his black brows; the same bloodless hue, and his teeth visible, now and then, in a kind of smile; his frame shivering, not as one shivers with chill or weakness, but as a tight-stretched cord vibrates--a strong thrilling, rather than trembling.
I will ask what is the matter, I thought; or who should?
And I exclaimed--'Have you heard any good news, Mr.Heathcliff?
You look uncommonly animated.' 'Where should good news come from to me ?' he said.

'I'm animated with hunger; and, seemingly, I must not eat.' 'Your dinner is here,' I returned; 'why won't you get it ?' 'I don't want it now,' he muttered, hastily: 'I'll wait till supper.

And, Nelly, once for all, let me beg you to warn Hareton and the other away from me.

I wish to be troubled by nobody: I wish to have this place to myself.' 'Is there some new reason for this banishment ?' I inquired.

'Tell me why you are so queer, Mr.Heathcliff?
Where were you last night?
I'm not putting the question through idle curiosity, but--' 'You are putting the question through very idle curiosity,' he interrupted, with a laugh.