Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

past form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

capital and largest city of Queensland state; located in the southeastern corner of Queensland on the Pacific; settled by British as a penal colony; 3rd largest city in Australia

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

plural of “canon” — a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

the state of being with someone

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

being one more than seven

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

the expensive white fur of the ermine

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

a loud low dull continuous noise

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

not accessible to view

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

immediately past

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

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

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

from appearances alone

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

with little or no delay

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

offensive inquisitiveness

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

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

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

the trait of keeping things secret

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

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

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

searching for or buying goods or services

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

being ten more than fifty

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

the season of growth

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

-ing form of “stagnate” — stand still

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

a special situation

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

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

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

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

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

the activity of making visits

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

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

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

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

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading And, as the stern face of the Sierra was hidden under the snow that robed the higher peaks in royal ermine and drifted sixty feet in the deeper canons, so was the vital thing in the lives of Wayne Shandon and Wanda Leland covered by silence and secrecy.

possessive form of “wayne” — United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)

From this reading Wanda delivered Wayne's letter safely and promptly to Brisbane, the San Francisco lawyer.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

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

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

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

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

belonging to which person

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading HELGA STRAWN PLAYS THE GAME The winter which had begun unusually early, battled fiercely for eight weeks in the mountain fastnesses, and went down in grumbling defeat before an early spring.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She took her mother into the secret, she told her mother everything now, for the close companionship of last winter had borne its fruit of warm sympathy, and the two women went out of the valley, ostensibly to spend a few weeks shopping and visiting in San Francisco.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Each day was tense and eager to them; to the world whose prying eyes could not penetrate through the barricade of winter it was as though those lives were stagnating.