Hindley came home for the funeral and brought his wife. He hadn't told anyone about her, even his father. Frances was cheerful and happy, but also very afraid of dying, despite her generally good health. Hindley had grown thin during his absence, and his behavior had worsened. The servants, who were used to being treated like members of the family, were now relegated to the kitchen, Nelly included. Frances at first fussed over her new sister, then tired of her and grew disagreeable. Hindley ruled with an iron fist, sending Heathcliff to work in the fields, and stopping his education. Catherine would teach Heathcliff her school lessons, and they ran wild together in the moors. They were often punished, Catherine with Bible lessons, Heathcliff with beatings. One night the two disappeared entirely, and could not be found. Heathcliff returned alone. Catherine had stayed at Thrushcross Grange, but Heathcliff was not asked to stay. He told Nelly that he and Cathy snuck off to the Grange, to see if the Lintons spent their Sunday nights in forced prayer. They ran across the moors, and peered in one of the windows. The room was lavishly decorated, and the two children, Edgar and Isabella, were alone in the room.
But they were not enjoying their beautiful home; rather, they were crying after nearly tearing a puppy between them. Heathcliff and Catherine laughed, and the children heard them and cried for their parents. They tried to run away, but a dog grabbed Catherine by the ankle. Unwilling to leave, he cursed and tried to free her from the vicious jaws. When the servant saw the dog had a small child, he pulled him off and took Catherine inside. The Lintons did not recognize them at first, and imagined that the children were trying to rob them. Edgar finally saw it was Catherine Earnshaw, and Mr. and Mrs. Linton were shocked that Hindley would let her run wild with a gypsy child. At their criticism, Heathcliff started swearing again, and the servant took him outside. The Lintons, offended by his language, ushered him out. Inside, Catherine sat on the couch, and they tended to her wounded ankle, combed her hair and placed her by the fire. They were all very taken with her.
Hindley, not surprisingly, was very angry. He grew more so when Mr. Linton paid him a visit and criticized how he raises his family. Hindley's punishment was not to beat Heathcliff, but to forbid him and Catherine from speaking to each other. If they chose to, he would throw Heathcliff out.
