The shades were up, there was a cheerful blaze in the open stove in the front parlor, and a fire laid on the hearth in the back room.
He came in, coatless, and, dropping a trowel on the hearth, sat down at the end of the table nearest the fireplace.
As he approached the little solitary girl in his course he gave her a reluctant acid recognition; then he returned to his hearth.
Its delicate walls were tinged like a blush; its floor was waxed; a square of brilliant carpet covered its centre; its small round table shone like the mirror over its hearth; there was a little couch, a little chiffonnière, the half-open, crimson-silk door of which, showed porcelain on the shelves; there was a French clock, a lamp; there were ornaments in biscuit china; the recess of the single ample window was filled with a green stand, bearing three green flower-pots, each filled with a fine
With what a pleasant countenance he stood on the farm-kitchen hearth looking on!
I thought he would not long maintain that post: there was a position near the hearth to which I expected to see him attracted: this position he only scanned with his eye; while he looked, others drew in.
"Come, mamma," said he, "by way of compromise, and to secure for us inward as well as outward warmth, let us have a Christmas wassail-cup, and toast Old England here, on the hearth.
"Lucy will sit still, I know," said he, glancing down at me with the same serene goodness, the same repose of firmness that I have seen in him when sitting at his side amid the secure peace of his mother's hearth.
Other seats, cushioned to match, dawned on me by degrees; and at last I took in the complete fact of a pleasant parlour, with a wood fire on a clear-shining hearth, a carpet where arabesques of bright blue relieved a ground of shaded fawn; pale walls over which a slight but endless garland of azure forget-me-nots ran mazed and bewildered amongst myriad gold leaves and tendrils.
His meal over, and numerous questions from his mother answered, he turned from the table to the hearth.
You can even see his hearth and his couch if you have the curiosity to go inside.
" Anne and Gilbert discreetly melted away; but when Owen had gone Anne returned, to find Leslie standing by the hearth.
Merry was the feast and long; and when it was over they gathered around the cheer of the red hearth flame and Captain Jim told them stories until the red sun swung low over Four Winds Harbor, and the long blue shadows of the Lombardies fell across the snow in the lane.
" They were out; and when Anne re-entered her house of dreams the red embers were still glowing on the hearth, and all the haunting presences were gone.
" Captain Jim took a great fancy to Gog and Magog, who were presiding over the destinies of the hearth in the little house with as much dignity and aplomb as they had done at Patty's Place.
The hearth fire banished the chill of the September evening, but the window of the dining room was open and sea breezes entered at their own sweet will.
Heathcliff: he walked to the hearth in evident agitation; but it quickly subsided as he looked at the young man: or, I should say, altered its character; for it was there yet.
" She returned to the hearth, and frankly extended her hand.
Heathcliff advanced to the hearth.
As I hesitated whether to go off at once, or return and seek my mistress, a slight cough drew my attention to the hearth.
