Chapter XI

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

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

later than; following

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

United States author whose works were frequently autobiographical (1876-1941)

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

briefly shut the eyes

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

resembling a box in rectangularity

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

a small house with a single story

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

a deity or nymph of the woods

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

divisible by two

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

at any time

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

and nothing more

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

immediately past

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

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

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

not any; not one

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

and nothing more

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

breathing heavily (as after exertion)

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

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

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

the property of being untamed and ferocious

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

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

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

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

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

except if; if not

From this reading It was not Saturday night; there was no real reason why she should be watching, unless--unless it was hope that held her there.

not set afire or burning

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a period of sleeplessness

From this reading Only in the last few hours since twilight had she admitted to herself the possibility that such a hope lurked behind her vigil.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

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

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

at the time that

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

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

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

during the time that

From this reading Ever since it had grown dark enough for that signal to be seen, which had called across to her so many nights, she had been waiting before the table in front of the window--waiting even while she told herself that it could not appear.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before then, when the thought had first come to her that Denny might cry out to her through the night, with that half-shuttered light, she had stifled it with a savageness that left her shaking, panting and dizzy from its bewildering intensity.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It would have been hard for her to have explained just why it was so, but Dryad Anderson had been sitting there in the unlighted front room of the little once-white cottage before Judge Maynard's boxlike place on the hill, watching hour after hour for that light to blink out at her from the dark window of Denny Bolton's house on the opposite slope.