had not I prevented it, he would have gone just so to the master,
and got full revenge by letting his condition plead for him,
intimating who had caused it. 'Take my colt, Gipsy, then!' said
young Earnshaw. 'And I pray that he may break your neck: take
him, and he damned, you beggarly interloper! and wheedle my father
out of all he has: only afterwards show him what you are, imp of
Satan. - And take that, I hope he'll kick out your brains!'

Heathcliff had gone to loose the beast, and shift it to his own
stall; he was passing behind it, when Hindley finished his speech
by knocking him under its feet, and without stopping to examine
whether his hopes were fulfilled, ran away as fast as he could. I
was surprised to witness how coolly the child gathered himself up,
and went on with his intention; exchanging saddles and all, and
then sitting down on a bundle of hay to overcome the qualm which
the violent blow occasioned, before he entered the house. I
persuaded him easily to let me lay the blame of his bruises on the
horse: he minded little what tale was told since he had what he
wanted. He complained so seldom, indeed, of such stirs as these,
that I really thought him not vindictive: I was deceived
completely, as you will hear.



CHAPTER V



IN the course of time Mr. Earnshaw began to fail. He had been
active and healthy, yet his strength left him suddenly; and when he