adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
crossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/
traveling across
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
Curdie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
debtsnounUS /dets/
plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
forgetsverbUS /fərˈɡets/
third-person singular of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
forgotverbUS /fərˈɡɑːt/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
goblinsnounUS /ˈɡɑːblɪnz/
plural of “goblin” — (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
heelsnounUS /hiːlz/
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
King-Papa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
nervousadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrvəs/
easily agitated
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
nurseverbUS /nɜːrs/
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
Princess'snounUS /ˈprɪnsesɪz/
possessive form of “princess” — a female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
threwverbUS /θruː/
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If it had not been for such odd behaviour Irene would by this time have almost forgotten the goblins.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She never forgot Curdie, but him she remembered for his own sake, and indeed would have remembered him if only because a princess never forgets her debts until they are paid.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading So long a period of fine weather had indeed never been known upon that mountain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
weather-cock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Princess's King-Papa The weather continued fine for weeks, and the little princess went out every day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
worseadjectiveUS /wɜːrs/
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The only uncomfortable thing was that her nurse was so nervous and particular about being in before the sun was down that often she would take to her heels when nothing worse than a fleecy cloud crossing the sun threw a shadow on the hillside; and many an evening they were home a full hour before the sunlight had left the weather-cock on the stables.
