“I would not talk so, Mr. Heathcliff,” I interposed.  “Let your will be a while—­you’ll be spared to repent of your many injustices yet!  I never expected that your nerves would be disordered—­they are, at present, marvelously so, however; and almost entirely through your own fault.  The way you’ve passed these last three days might knock up a Titan.  Do take some food and some repose.  You need only look at yourself in a glass to see how you require both.  Your cheeks are hollow and your eyes bloodshot, like a person starving with hunger and going blind with loss of sleep.”

“It is not my fault that I cannot eat or rest,” he replied.  “I assure you it is through no settled designs.  I’ll do both as soon as I possibly can.  But you might as well bid a man struggling in the water rest within arm’s-length of the shore!  I must reach it first, and then I’ll rest.  Well, never mind Mr. Green; as to repenting of my injustices, I’ve done no injustice, and I repent of nothing.  I’m too happy, and yet I’m not happy enough.  My soul’s bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself.”

“Happy, master?” I cried.  “Strange happiness!  If you would hear me without being angry, I might offer some advice that would make you happier.”

“What is that?” he asked.  “Give it.”

“You are aware, Mr. Heathcliff,” I said, “that from the time you were thirteen years old you have lived a selfish, unchristian life:  and probably hardly had a Bible in your hands during all that period.  You must have forgotten the contents of the book, and you may not have space to search it now.  Could it be hurtful to send for some one—­some minister of any denomination, it does not matter which—­to explain it, and show you how very far you have erred from its precepts, and how unfit you will be for its heaven, unless a change takes place before you die?”

“I’m rather obliged than angry, Nelly,” he said, “for you remind me of the manner that I desire to be buried in.  It is to be carried to the churchyard in the evening.  You and Hareton may, if you please, accompany me—­and mind, particularly, to notice that the sexton obeys my directions concerning the two coffins!  No minister need come; nor need anything be said over me.  I tell you, I have nearly attained my heaven; and that of others is altogether unvalued and uncoveted by me!”

“And supposing you persevered in your obstinate fast, and died by that means, and they refused to bury you in the precincts of the kirk?” I said, shocked at his godless indifference.  “How would you like it?”

“They won’t do that,” he replied; “if they did, you must have me removed secretly; and if you neglect it, you shall prove practically that the dead are not annihilated!”

As soon as he heard the other members of the family stirring, he retired to his den, and I breathed freer.  But in the afternoon, while Joseph and Hareton were at their work, he came into the kitchen again, and with a wild look bid me come and sit in the house—­he wanted somebody with him.