Chapter IX

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

later than; following

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

intentionally conceived

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

divisible by two

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

a young female

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

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

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

unit of solar radiation

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

for the most part

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a form of address for a man

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

and nothing more

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

above and across; more than

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

a fence made of upright pickets

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

an amount of time

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

spring back; spring away from an impact

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

clean with hard rubbing

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

a person, without saying who

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

not in physical motion

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

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

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

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

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

in the direction of

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

not known or well known

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

in a vague way

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

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

From this reading He was ready for Sunday even to the point of having tidied his desk so that it looked unfamiliar.

at the time that

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading On the afternoon following Alice Lorraine’s strange adventure, Mr. Langley sat at his study window gazing out over the pickets of the paling towards the bushes and scrub trees which marked the line of the river, but which, being mainly oaks, still hid the stream itself from view.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Even so, something must have happened from without himself to pull him out of that slough.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading He was conscious--vaguely conscious--of working better and more easily of late--with more spirit.

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

From this reading It might be that it was only a sort of rebound after the period of depression into which he had fallen when someone had reminded him of the fact that Ella May, whom he had always thought of as a little girl, would now have been a woman grown, older than her mother had been at her birth, and he had lost the child-companion of his thoughts and wanderings.