used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
anew
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
at or in the front
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
alfalfanounUS /ˌælˈfælfə/
important European leguminous forage plant with trifoliate leaves and blue-violet flowers grown widely as a pasture and hay crop
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
civilizedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəlaɪzd/
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
Culver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading But Culver knew it was a hollow desire.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
fantasianounUS /fænˈteɪʒə/
a musical composition of a free form usually incorporating several familiar themes
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
farmhousesnounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊsəz/
plural of “farmhouse” — house for a farmer and family
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
fatiguedadjectiveUS /fəˈtiːɡd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading But Culver knew it was a hollow desire.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
imaginings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Culver knew it was a hollow desire.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But Culver knew it was a hollow desire.
leniencynounUS /ˈliːnjənsi/
mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
march in a procession
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
and nothing more
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
overestimatedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈestəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “overestimate” — make too high an estimate of
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
ploddedverbUS /ˈplɑːdɪd/
inflected form of “plod” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
relentlesslyadverbUS /rɪˈlentləsli/
in a relentless manner
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
remorsenounUS /rɪˈmɔːrs/
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
shutteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌtərd/
provided with shutters or shutters as specified; often used in combination
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
sloweradverbUS /ˈsloʊər/
more slowly
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
staysnounUS /steɪz/
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
strawberriesnounUS /ˈstrɔːberiz/
plural of “strawberry” — sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading They pushed relentlessly ahead, past shadowy pine groves, fields dense with the fragrance of alfalfa and wild strawberries, shuttered farmhouses, deserted rickety stores.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
possessing sweep
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
Templeton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/
lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
having come into contact
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
vistanounUS /ˈvɪstə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Culver knew it was a hollow desire.
at the time that
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
which person or people
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading A wild fantasia of hopes and imaginings swept through his mind: that Templeton _would_ become fatigued, having overestimated his own strength, _would_ stop the march after an hour or so and load them on the trucks--like a stern father who begins a beating, only to become touched with if not remorse then leniency, and stays his hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then this brief civilized vista they abandoned again, and for good, when without pause they plunged off again onto another road, into the sand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They plodded on, the Colonel pacing the march, but slower now, and Culver played desperately with the idea that the man would, somehow, tire, become exhausted himself.
