Chapter IX

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

plural of “bark” — tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

a young person of either sex

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

past form of “crane” — stretch (the neck) so as to see better

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

in a delightful manner

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

at any time

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

apart from; not including

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

the organ of sight

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

experiencing joy and pleasure

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

a rich, frothy, creamy dessert made with whipped egg whites and heavy cream

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

according to the clock

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

serving to bring to mind

From this reading How familiar, how actual, how delightfully redolent of home was the narrow little street!

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

cut with a saw

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

plural of “snatch” — a small fragment

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

not in physical motion

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

from that place or that time

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading Fifi saw it in her mind’s eye long before she reached it, and in her gladness of heart sang snatches of songs like the one Toto thought was made for him, _Le petit mousse noir_.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

look attentively

From this reading As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

in or at the place that

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

which person or people

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.

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 As the van clattered into the street, Fifi, sitting on her boxes, craned her neck out to watch a certain garret window, and from thence she heard two short, rapturous barks.

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

From this reading BACK TO THE BLACK CAT About three o’clock in the afternoon, the van, containing Fifi and her wardrobe, drew up before the tall old house in the street of the Black Cat where she had lived ever since she was a little, black-eyed child, who still cried for her mother, and who would not be comforted except upon Cartouche’s knee.