Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

anew

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

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

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

someone with a promising future

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

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

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

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

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

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

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

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

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

fasten with a hook

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

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

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

and nothing more

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

plural of “moth” — typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

not any; not one

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

without a sound

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

interlace the shoots of

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

a small lake

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

with speed

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

-ing form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

cut with a saw

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

the act of searching for something

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

refrain from harming

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the season of growth

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

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

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

flesh of any of several primarily freshwater game and food fishes

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

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

From this reading It was on the margin of Pond Brook, just back of Uncle Eben's, that I first saw Fishin' Jimmy.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

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

From this reading It was early June, and we were again at Franconia, that peaceful little village among the northern hills.

in or at the place that

From this reading Suddenly there was a little plash in the water at the spot where Ralph was fishing, the slender tip of his rod bent, I heard a voice cry out, "Strike him, sonny, strike him!" and an old man came quickly but noiselessly through the bushes, just as Ralph's line flew up into space, with, alas! no shining, spotted trout upon the hook.

lean and sinewy

From this reading The new comer was a spare, wiry man of middle height, with a slight stoop in his shoulders, a thin brown face, and scanty gray hair.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.

any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

From this reading The boys, as usual, were tempting the trout with false fly or real worm, and I was roaming along the bank, seeking spring flowers, and hunting early butterflies and moths.