Chapter V

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

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

declared but not proved

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

United States artist whose paintings portrayed life in the Midwest and South (1889-1975)

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

(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 Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

past form of “blister” — get blistered

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between North and South America; the origin of the Gulf stream

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

plural of “chant” — a repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

Following continuously in unbroken sequence.

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

the act of consuming food

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

opinion or judgment

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

having a usually specified type of handle

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

(of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

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

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

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 MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

cut off or left behind

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

and nothing more

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

go across or through

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

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

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

in or at that place or location

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Only one or two larger sheets seemed like a consecutive narrative.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

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

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

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

From this reading MAROONED There were many separate papers in the package that Benton spread out before the fascinated eyes of the boys.

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

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

which person or people

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Others were mere scraps of paper that looked as though they had been picked up in lieu of something better for the writer to put his thoughts upon.

the act of creating written works

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

plural of “wrong” — that which is contrary to the principles of justice or law

From this reading Bitter thoughts most of them were, thoughts of vengeance, imprecations upon the authors of alleged wrongs from which the writer had suffered, chants of hate that seemed as though they might have blistered the paper on which they were written.

a late time of life

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.

changed to a yellowish color by age

From this reading As the boys handled carefully those yellowed sheets of paper, so brittle from time that they were almost falling apart, so yellowed that in many cases the writing was almost illegible, the years rolled away and before them rose up the picture of that solitary figure on an island in the Caribbean eating his heart out with rage and hate and finding his only solace in setting down from day to day his prayers for vengeance on the souls of those who had brought him to that pass.