Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

plural of “acrobat” — an athlete who performs acts requiring skill and agility and coordination

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

Having no one else present.

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

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

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

a state of supreme happiness

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

without seeing or looking

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

to come or go into

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

time without end

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

at any time

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

from a financial point of view

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

marked by ostentation but often tasteless

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

past form of “flare” — burn brightly

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

a gay feeling

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

tastelessly showy

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

plural of “jew” — a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

comparative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

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 Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

most important element

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

offensive term for a homosexual man

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

on one occasion

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

blessed with privileges

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

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

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

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

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

from that place or that time

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

the swift release of a store of affective force

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

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

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading But to-day as she passed the main entrance and made her way through a side-passage to the stage-door, she tingled with a keener thrill than she had ever felt before.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

two times

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

not made consistent or compatible

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

up to a particular time

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

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

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

which person or people

From this reading At the "Star" there were acrobats and funny Jews with big noses and Irishmen who were always falling down; but the Gaiety was different.

in the company of; together with

From this reading BEHIND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS The gaiety, with its flamboyant entrance, round which the lights flared enticingly at night, had always seemed to Nance an earthly paradise into which the financially blessed alone were privileged to enter.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Twice Nance had passed that fiery portal, and she knew that once inside, you drifted into states of beatitude, which eternity itself was too short to enjoy.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The world ceased to exist for you, until a curtain, as relentless as fate, descended, and you reached blindly for your hat and stumbled down from the gallery to the balcony, and from the balcony to the lobby, and thence out into the garish world, dazed, bewildered, unreconciled to reality, and not knowing which way to turn to go home.