The next day Mr. Lockwood went to Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff was not at home, but Hareton let him wait inside. Catherine was there, and treated Mr. Lockwood with the same cold indifference that she had before. Mr. Lockwood was carrying a letter from Mrs. Dean, and he discreetly dropped it in Catherine's lap. But Hareton noticed the exchange, and took the letter to show Heathcliff. When Catherine began to cry, her cousin relented and threw the letter at her. Cathy reads the letter, but regrets she cannot answer it. She has no paper and no books. Heathcliff destroyed her library, but Hareton hid a few books in his room. Cathy makes fun of her ignorant cousin, and his attempts at learning.
She hates having her books read by such a dunce. Hareton left the room and returned with the books, offering them to her. At first refusing them, Cathy then began to read from one, imitating her cousin. Finally having lost his patience, Hareton hit her. Then he threw the books into the fire, though he regretted the act. He really wants to learn, mostly because of Cathy, and he is very hurt by Cathy's insults.
Heathcliff returns then, and everyone but Mr. Lockwood leaves the room. When Mr. Lockwood tells Heathcliff he does not want the Grange for more than a year, Heathcliff thinks he is trying to cheat him. He quickly calms down, and he, Hareton, and Mr. Lockwood have a quiet and uncomfortable dinner. Mr. Lockwood leaves early; he is interested in Catherine, but depressed by the Heights. He thinks about Nelly's hope that he and Cathy might become attached, so she could leave that terrible place.
