used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
Addie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
anew
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
airedadjectiveUS /erd/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
aren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
ArmstrongnounUS /ˈɑːrmstrɑːŋ/
United States astronaut; the first man to set foot on the Moon (July 20, 1969) (1930-)
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Let us never go away again.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
placed in a grave
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
dustedverbUS /ˈdʌstɪd/
past form of “dust” — remove the dust from
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
gainsnounUS /ɡeɪnz/
plural of “gain” — a quantity that is added
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
garnishedverbUS /ˈɡɑːrnɪʃt/
past form of “garnish” — take a debtor's wages on legal orders, such as for child support
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Let us never go away again.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
to a considerable degree
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
improvesverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvz/
third-person singular of “improve” — to make better
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Let us never go away again.
lilac-blossoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Let us never go away again.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
noticesnounUS /ˈnoʊtəsəz/
plural of “notice” — an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
Nutsgrove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
softnessnounUS /ˈsɔːftnəs/
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
not in physical motion
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
possessing sweep
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
telegraphs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
thrillsnounUS /θrɪlz/
plural of “thrill” — the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
male cat
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
TurnernounUS /ˈtɜːrnər/
United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Let us never go away again.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading One soft April day Addie comes home again, and walks heavily through the familiar rooms, leaning on her husband's arm.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
at the time that
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Armstrong telegraphs to Mrs. Turner, who is still in occupation at Nutsgrove, and the old place is dusted, swept, aired, and garnished.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Almost from the first day he notices a change for the better in her appearance and manner; her step gains firmness, her appetite improves; and one night, about a week after their return, when she stands by the drawing-room window, her face buried in a bunch of lilac-blossoms, there comes a radiance to her eyes, an eager softness to her voice that thrills him with wild hope.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'm glad we came home; aren't you, Tom?" she whispers, nestling close to him.
