"I'll be very kind to him, you needn"t fear," he said, laughing. "Only nobody else must be kind to him: I"m jealous of monopolizing his affection. And, to begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the lad some breakfast. Hareton, you infernal calf, begone to your work. Yes, Nell," he added, when they had departed, "my son is prospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he"s mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates: my child hiring their children to till their father"s lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make me endure the whelp: I despisehim for himself, and hate him for the memories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he's as safe with me, and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his own. I have a room upstairs, furnished for him in handsome style: I"ve engaged a tutor, also, to come three times a week, from twenty miles distance, to teach him what he pleases to learn. I"ve ordered Hareton to obey him; and in fact I"ve arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him, above his associates. I do regret, however, that he so little deserves the trouble; if I wished any blessing in the world, it was to find him a worthy object of pride; and I"m bitterly disappointed with the whey-faced whining wretch!"

　　While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk porridge, and placed it before Linton. He stirred round the homely mess with a look of aversion, and affirmed he could not eat it. I saw the old manservant shared largely in his master"s scorn of the child; though he was compelled to retain the sentiment in his heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to hold him in honour.来源：www.examda.com

　　"Cannot ate it?" repeated he, peering in Linton"s face, and subduing his voice to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. "But Maister Hareton nivir ate naught else, when he wer a little un; and what were gooid eneugh for him"s gooid eneugh for ye, Aw"s rayther think!"

　　"I shan"t eat it!" answered Linton snappishly. "Take it away." Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us. "Is there aught ails th" victuals?" he asked thrusting the tray under Heathcliff"s nose. 来源：www.examda.com

　　"What should ail them?" he said.

　　"Wah!" answered Joseph, "yon dainty chap says he cannut ate em. But Aw guess it"s raight! His mother wer just soa——we wer a"most too mucky to sow t" corn for makking her breead."

　　"Don"t mention his mother to me," said the master angrily. "Get him something that he can eat, that"s all. What is his usual food, Nelly?"

　　I suggested boiled milk or tea; and the housekeeper received instructions to prepare some. Come, I reflected, his father"s selfishness may contribute to his comfort. He perceives his delicate constitution, and the necessity of treating him tolerably. I"ll console Mr Edgar by acquainting him with the turn Heathcliff"s humour has taken. Having no excuse for lingering longer I slipped out, while Linton was engaged in timidly rebuilding the advances of a friendly sheepdog. But he was too much on the alert to be cheated: as I closed the door, I heard a cry, and a frantic repetition of the words:

　　"Don"t leave me! I"ll not stay here! I'll not stay here!"

　　Then the latch was raised and fell: they did not suffer him to come forth. I mounted Minny, and urged her to a trot; and so my brief guardianship ended.