Chapter III

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

possessive form of “autumn” — the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

a digestible substance used to give color to food

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

many times at short intervals

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

past form of “intersect” — meet at a point

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

a periodical that is published every month (or 12 issues per year)

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

a course of conduct

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

a light shade of red

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

any of various Old World shrubs having smooth entire leaves and terminal panicles of small white flowers followed by small black berries; many used for hedges

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

not in physical motion

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

confined on all sides

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

under normal conditions

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

precisely as stated

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

kept in good condition

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

at the time that

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

in or at the place that

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE MILL HOUSE IT was a fine afternoon at the end of September, on one of those golden days which frequently come when summer is ended, and the Mill House at W— was looking its best.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Before the house was a well-kept plot of grass, surrounded by flower-beds and intersected by the path which led to the wicket-gate in the privet hedge which separated the garden from the high-road.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was an old stone house, close to the river, with lattice windows, around which creepers, now gorgeous with autumn's brilliant colouring, crept and twined whilst over the porch, which faced the southwest, clambered a monthly rose, on which a few pink blossoms bloomed, though it was so late in the season.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The mill wheel was silent on this perfect autumn afternoon, as it usually was on Saturday afternoons, and everything was very still within the house, where all was in apple-pie order.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading And at the back of the house was a large yard, and a kitchen-garden reaching to the river's brink.