Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
absurd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
coyotes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
creaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
errand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
holds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
howled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
improbable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
isolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
louder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
Manley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
prevented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
rancher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
shack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
shivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
snapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
speedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
staying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
unreal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
Val
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She believed it to be necessary, or he would not require it of her, and she wanted to be all that he expected her to be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her past was pushed so far from her that she could not even long for it as she had done during the first few weeks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
Western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very sensitive, in those days, about doing her whole duty as a wife--the wife of a Western rancher.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
worlds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were nights of utter desolation, when Manley was in town upon some errand which prevented his speedy return--nights when the coyotes howled much louder than usual, and she could not sleep for the mysterious snapping and creaking about the shack, but lay shivering with fear until dawn; but not for worlds would she have admitted to Manley her dread of staying alone.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading To Val the days of heat and smoke, and the isolation, had made life seem unreal, like a dream which holds one fast and yet is absurd and utterly improbable.
