Chapter II

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

later than; following

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

for the reason that

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

a name given to a product or service

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

a young person of either sex

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

wanted intensely

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

expel from a country

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a young female

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

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

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

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

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

the act of liberating someone or something

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

an industrial city in northern France near the Belgian border; was the medieval capital of Flanders

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

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 was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

and nothing more

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

in accord with physical laws

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

cut with a saw

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

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

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

in a spiritual manner

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading IV I had the luck to be billeted in Lille at the house of Madame Chéri, in the Rue Esquermoise.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

a battle in World War I (1916); in some of the bloodiest fighting in World War I the German offensive was stopped

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

at the time that

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

a Caucasian

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

which person or people

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

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

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This lady was the mother of the girl with the pig-tail and the two children with whom Wickham Brand had made friends on this morning of liberation--the wife of that military officer whom Pierre Nesle had known at Verdun and knew to be killed.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Pierre Nesle, our _liaison_ officer, told me how she had received the news of her husband’s death--unflinchingly, without a cry.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Madame Chéri was, I thought, when I saw her first, a beautiful woman, not physically--because she was too white and worn--but spiritually, in courage of soul.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It was my luck, because there were children in the house--the pig-tailed girl, Hélène, was more a woman than a child, though only sixteen--and I craved for a touch of home life and children’s company after so long an exile in the war-zone, always among men who talked of war, thought of it, dreamed of it, year in, year out.