"Mrs. Heathcliff," I said, after sitting some time mute, "you are not aware that I am an acquaintance of yours? so intimate, that I think it strange you won't come and speak to me. My housekeeper never wearies of talking about and praising you; and she'll be greatly disappointed if I return with no news of, or from you, except that you received her letter, and said nothing!"
She appeared to wonder at this speech and asked,
"Does Ellen like you?"
"Yes, very well," I replied unhesitatingly.
"You must tell her," she continued, "that I would answer her letter, but I have no materials for writing, not even a book from which I might tear a leaf."
"No books!" I exclaimed. "How do you contrive to live here without them? If I may take the liberty to inquire—Though provided with a large library, I'm frequently very dull
