- Nelly wakes Linton up at 5 o'clock in the morning to take him to his father. Because his mother never mentioned his father, Linton is surprised and confused. Linton is full of questions about his father, questions Nelly answers reluctantly.
- Nelly and Linton arrive at the Heights. "Hallo, Nelly!" Heathcliff cries. "I feared I should have to come down and fetch my property myself" (20.29). That "property," of course, is the son he has never met.
- They get off to a rough start, with Heathcliff making comments about his son's appearance. He announces that the only reason he will put up with his son is that he is the heir to everything—including Thrushcross Grange.
- As Nelly leaves the Heights, she hears Linton crying out, begging not to be left behind.