Chapter XII

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

recognized or made known or admitted

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

in actual fact

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

be compatible or in accordance with

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

skillful performance or ability without difficulty

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

later than; following

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

anew

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

in the past

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

(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 It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a deep yellow color

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

a native or inhabitant of Australia

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

divisible by two

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

possessive form of “james” — a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

immediately past

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

not any; not one

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

being perceived or observed

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

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

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

held or filled or in use

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

and nothing more

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

by chance

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

cut or make a way through

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

not used up

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

express in words

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

plural of “scent” — a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

have in common

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

refrain from harming

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading He had been slightly startled by her words--he thought now that he had time to think over the matter, that perhaps he should have seemed when in her presence to have been more startled than he actually was.

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

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a gymnast who performs rolls and somersaults and twists etc.

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

under normal conditions

From this reading It had needed all his adroitness--and he had usually a pretty fair share at his command--to prevent her from saying them long ago.

precisely as stated

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

at the time that

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

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

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

during the time that

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was while the Australian was telling Amber the story which had interested her so greatly that Ernest Clifton was listening to something that Josephine had to say to him--something that caused him a good deal of spare thought all the time he was driving to his rooms in St. James’s Street, and even after he had settled himself in his chair with a small tumbler half filled with Apollinaris on a table at his elbow.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the words that are spoken

From this reading The words that she had spoken to him at that time of soft sounds and lights and garden scents were not such as he had been accustomed to hear from her; though he could not but acknowledge to himself--he now and again acknowledged something to himself; never to any one else--that he had noticed signs of readiness on her part to say those very words.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “_I wonder if you know how great a strain it is upon me to adhere to the compact which we made last year._” Those were the words that she had spoken in his ear when the Terrace had become almost deserted, only Amber and Pierce Win wood remaining in the seats they had occupied while drinking their coffee, and she had spoken in so low a tone that, even with the band playing so soft and low as it was, no word could be heard by any one passing their chairs.