Chapter III

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

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

-ing form of “address” — speak to

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

in the past

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

any person at all

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

from appearances alone

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

for the reason that

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the act of burning something

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

past events to be put aside

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

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

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

the state of being with someone

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

dearly loved

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

in a dreamy manner

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

at any time

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

a social unit living together

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

start firing a weapon

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

shining unsteadily

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

only a very short time before

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

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

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

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

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

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

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

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 But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

not any; not one

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

and nothing more

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

the time that has elapsed

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

with low volume

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

worried and uneasy

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

possessive form of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

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

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Yet I have been happy, quietly happy, in my sister’s family, and with the companionship of her dear children; but the afternoon of a sailor’s existence must ever be a somewhat restless one.

express in speech

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading “THE FEARFULNESS OF OUR SITUATION CAN HARDLY BE REALIZED.”

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

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

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

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

except if; if not

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

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

From this reading But bygone scenes were being recalled, and events long past were being re-enacted in his memory as he sat thus.

which person or people

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Uncle Robert sat for some little time with his eyes fixed on those burning logs before he commenced to speak, the firelight flickering on his face.

a late time of life

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.

but in spite of that

From this reading He spoke at length; quietly at first, dreamily almost, as if unconscious of the presence of anyone near him, apparently addressing himself to no one, unless it were to the faces in the fire:-- * * * * * Six years!--six years ago, and only six, and yet it seems like a lifetime, because I, who have been a rover and a wanderer since my boyhood, have come to settle down on this peaceful farm.