Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

make calm or still

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

plural of “churn” — a vessel in which cream is agitated to separate butterfat from buttermilk

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

a barn for cows

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

plural of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

a long narrow inlet of the sea between steep cliffs; common in Norway

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

moving swiftly

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

violent and needless disturbance

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

and nothing more

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

held up in the air

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

a string of islands off the northwestern coast of Norway in the Norwegian Sea

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

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 For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

by chance

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

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

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

not any; not one

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

a wind from the northwest

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

above and across; more than

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

plural of “roar” — a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

plural of “somersault” — an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

spray blown up from the surface of the sea

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

the season of growth

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

plural of “steal” — an advantageous purchase

From this reading But on a calm spring day, the fjord just steals in smooth and shining by ness and bay.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

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

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

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

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

precisely as stated

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

at the time that

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

during the time that

From this reading It churns the water to a froth of rushing wave crests, while the boats along the beach are flung in somersaults up to the doors of the grey fisher huts, and solid old barn gangways are lifted and sent flying like unwieldy birds over the fields.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

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

From this reading For sheer havoc, there is no gale like a good northwester, when it roars in, through the long winter evenings, driving the spindrift before it between the rocky walls of the fjord.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading And “Lord preserve us!” mutter the old wives seated round the stove within doors--and their thoughts are far away in the north with the Lofoten fishermen, out at sea, maybe, this very night.

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

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading “Mercy on us!” cry the maids, for it is milking-time, and they have to fight their way on hands and knees across the yard to the cowshed, dragging a lantern that WILL go out and a milk-pail that WON’T be held.