Edgar, take the law into your own fists - it will give you an
appetite!'

The little party recovered its equanimity at sight of the fragrant
feast. They were hungry after their ride, and easily consoled,
since no real harm had befallen them. Mr. Earnshaw carved
bountiful platefuls, and the mistress made them merry with lively
talk. I waited behind her chair, and was pained to behold
Catherine, with dry eyes and an indifferent air, commence cutting
up the wing of a goose before her. 'An unfeeling child,' I thought
to myself; 'how lightly she dismisses her old playmate's troubles.
I could not have imagined her to be so selfish.' She lifted a
mouthful to her lips: then she set it down again: her cheeks
flushed, and the tears gushed over them. She slipped her fork to
the floor, and hastily dived under the cloth to conceal her
emotion. I did not call her unfeeling long; for I perceived she
was in purgatory throughout the day, and wearying to find an
opportunity of getting by herself, or paying a visit to Heathcliff,
who had been locked up by the master: as I discovered, on
endeavouring to introduce to him a private mess of victuals.

In the evening we had a dance. Cathy begged that he might be
liberated then, as Isabella Linton had no partner: her entreaties
were vain, and I was appointed to supply the deficiency. We got
rid of all gloom in the excitement of the exercise, and our
pleasure was increased by the arrival of the Gimmerton band,
mustering fifteen strong: a trumpet, a trombone, clarionets,
bassoons, French horns, and a bass viol, besides singers. They go
the rounds of all the respectable houses, and receive contributions
every Christmas, and we esteemed it a first-rate treat to hear