Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

(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 I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

in addition

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

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

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

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

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

an evil supernatural being

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

brought together in one place

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

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

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

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

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

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

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

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

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

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

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

the middle of the day

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

subject to question

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

express in words

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading Always full of questionable frolic, the spirit of mischief gathered in him as the dark nights drew on.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

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

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

male cat

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading My father had now begun to teach me as well as Tom, but I confess I did not then value the privilege.

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

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

at the time that

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading I Go Down Hill It came in the following winter.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had got much too fond of the society of Peter Mason, and all the time I could command I spent with him.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The sun, and the wind, and the green fields, and the flowing waters of summer kept him within bounds; but when the ice and the snow came, when the sky was grey with one cloud, when the wind was full of needle-points of frost and the ground was hard as a stone, when the evenings were dark, and the sun at noon shone low down and far away in the south, then the demon of mischief awoke in the bosom of Peter Mason, and, this winter, I am ashamed to say, drew me also into the net.