Chapter VI

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

-ing form of “concentrate” — make denser, stronger, or purer

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

give expression to

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

not close together in time

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

unhurried and relaxed

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

expressing sorrow

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

an artist who paints

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

the act of removing

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

express in words

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

watch and direct

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

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

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

From this reading Miss Jane, for her part, did not weep.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

at the time that

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

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

From this reading The sitting-room was larger, airier, and less isolated, than the mournful chamber up-stairs, in which he had spent half the summer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was on an October day, mellow and bright, when Robert Drummond, with a smile on his face, and a heavy heart in his breast, reached the house in Victoria Villas, to superintend poor Stephen's return to the sitting-room, as he had superintended his removal to his bed.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Before he went up-stairs the painter paused, and took hold of Miss Jane's hand, and wept, as people say, 'like a child;' but a child's hot thunder-shower of easily-dried tears are little like those few heavy drops that come to the eyes of older people, concentrating in themselves so much that words could not express.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was a heart-rending office, and yet it was one from which his friend could not shrink.