used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
APPRENTICESHIPnounUS /əˈprentəsʃɪp/
the position of apprentice
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
terminate
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
CanadanounUS /ˈkænədə/
a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
disadvantagesnounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “disadvantage” — the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
Elktail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
fasteningnounUS /ˈfæsənɪŋ/
restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
set up or found
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
frost-bleached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
grassesnounUS /ˈɡræsəz/
plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
gray-whiteadjective
of white tinged with grey
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
heliographnoun
an apparatus for sending telegraphic messages by using a mirror to turn the sun's rays off and on
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
incandescentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈdesənt/
emitting light as a result of being heated
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
and nothing more
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
rejoicingnounUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/
a feeling of great happiness
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
sloppyadjectiveUS /ˈslɑːpi/
lacking neatness or order
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
streakedadjectiveUS /striːkt/
marked with or as if with stripes or linear discolorations
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading Here I halted a few minutes and surveyed my adopted country.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
thinnernounUS /ˈθɪnər/
a diluting agent
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
tin-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
trudgedverbUS /trʌdʒd/
past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
UNPLEASANTadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
unpleasantlyadverbUS /ənˈplezəntli/
in an unpleasant manner
From this reading But it had its disadvantages, for the snow became unpleasantly soft, and it was a relief to find that the breeze had stripped the much thinner covering from the first of the swelling rises that rolled back toward the north.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
in or at the place that
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
a Caucasian
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Behind lay the roofs of Elktail, some of them tin-covered and flashing like a heliograph; in front a desolate wilderness where the gray-white of frost-bleached grasses was streaked by the incandescent brightness of sloppy snow.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading There was neither smoke nor sign of human presence in all its borders--only a few dusky patches of willows to break the vast monotony of white and blue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN UNPLEASANT APPRENTICESHIP By this time the sun was high, and, fastening the skin coat round my shoulders with a piece of string, I trudged on, rejoicing in the first warmth and brightness I had so far found in Canada.
