Chapter III

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

anew

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

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

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

react verbally

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

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

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

a small house with a single story

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

a room used for dining

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the act of playing drums

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

possessive form of “edward” — King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

one or the other of two

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

vague or not clearly defined or stated

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

putting the wrong interpretation on

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

a form of address for a man

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

extremely irritating to the nerves

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

easily agitated

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

not any; not one

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

the sound of light blow or knock

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

not permanent; not lasting

From this reading The tone of the ejaculation plainly indicated escape, or at any rate temporary relief from a severe nerve-racking strain.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

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

From this reading She raised her head as though about to answer Edward's ejaculation but sighed instead and fell again to her incessant tapping.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading She, too, like her husband showed signs of severe nervous prostration.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading At the further side of the table beneath the great crimson shaded lamp sat Charlotte, her fingers drumming a nervous tattoo upon the polished black oak beneath them.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

in a weary manner

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

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

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading BORROWED PLUMAGE The word _phew_ may have a somewhat indefinite position in the English language, but there was no mistaking the tone in which Mr. Edward Povey said it as he sank wearily into the depths of one of the handsome green leather chairs that stood on either side of the fireplace in the dining-room at Adderbury Cottage, Bushey Heath.