Chapter XXIX · Peggy Finds an Old Friend

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

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

plural of “bagpipe” — a tubular wind instrument; the player blows air into a bag and squeezes it out through the drone

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

have

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)

From this reading —Byron.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the country where you were born

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

possessive form of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

elevated (e.g., mountainous) land

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

plural of “highlander” — a soldier in a Scottish regiment from the Highlands

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

the act of departing

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

the southern part of Scotland that is not mountainous

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

expressing sorrow

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

in a northern direction

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

many times at short intervals

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

for the most part

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

plural of “settlement” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

not in physical motion

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

third-person singular of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

from that place or that time

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

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

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

plural of “tune” — a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

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

From this reading The travel northward was by slow stages, on account of the intense heat of the lowlands.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

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

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

which person or people

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “One hope survives, the frontier is not far, And thence they may escape from native war, And bear within them to the neighboring state An exile’s sorrows, or an outlaw’s hate: Hard is the task their fatherland to quit, But harder still to perish or submit.”

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The settlements along the Cape Fear River were composed principally of Scotch Highlanders, who were favorable to the side of the king, and these the fisherman’s little party avoided by leaving the road and making a wide détour through the woods.

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

From this reading But often in the gloaming of the summer evenings the weird notes of the bagpipes sounding old Highland tunes would mingle with the mournful calls of the whip-poor-wills, producing such an effect of sadness that Peggy was oft-times moved to tears.