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 _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

anew

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

in the past

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

without aim; in an aimless manner

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

the state of being with someone

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

singing in a soft low tone

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

worthy of reliance or trust

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

start firing a weapon

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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 Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

moving slowly and gently

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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 He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

darkened by clouds

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

engage in

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

past form of “mourn” — feel sadness

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

the northwestern region of the United States

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

above and across; more than

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

in a quiet and tranquil manner

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a sign of something about to happen

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

blowing tobacco smoke out into the air

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

kettle for boiling water to make tea

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

a special situation

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

free from physical or moral spots or stains

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

not neat and tidy

From this reading He sent a glance of half-conscious disapproval around the untidy cabin.

someone who visits

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

emit long loud cries

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading Charming Billy, hearing the crooning wail of it, knew well the portent and sighed.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had been dreaming aimlessly of a place he had seen not so long ago; a place where the stove was black and shining, with a fire crackling cheeringly inside and a teakettle with straight, unmarred spout and dependable handle singing placidly to itself and puffing steam with an air of lazy comfort, as if it were smoking a cigarette.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Perhaps he, too, felt something of the desolateness without and perhaps he, too, longed for some human companionship.

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

From this reading _Charming Billy Has a Visitor._ The wind, rising again as the sun went down, mourned lonesomely at the northwest corner of the cabin, as if it felt the desolateness of the barren, icy hills and the black hollows between, and of the angry red sky with its purple shadows lowering over the unhappy land--and would make fickle friendship with some human thing.