Chapter XVIII · The Call in the Night

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

on or to one side

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

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

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

intentionally conceived

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.

one or the other of two

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

time without end

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

divisible by two

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

opinion or judgment

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

the act of pausing uncertainly

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

provoking horror

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

for more time

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

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 No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

showing or giving mercy

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.

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

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

not any; not one

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

and nothing more

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

above and across; more than

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

except for; apart from

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

in the near future

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

not in physical motion

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.

the environmental condition

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

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

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

push forcefully

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

precisely as stated

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

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

From this reading The darkness and the night were meant only for sleep, and it was an eternity since he had slept--no, not an eternity, only a week--it was only a week since he had slept.

at the time that

From this reading No, that was not true either--there had been hours, not many of them, but there had been hours when his eyes had been closed and he had not been conscious of his surroundings, but those hours had been even more horrible than when he had tossed on his bed awake.

in or at the place that

From this reading And it was still, and very quiet--save for the voices, and save that it seemed he could hear that faltering, irregular step from the rear room, where there was no longer any step to hear.

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

From this reading |IT was very dark here in the front room, and somehow the darkness seemed tangible to the touch, like something oppressive, like the folds of a pall that was spread over him, and which he could not thrust aside.

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

From this reading Surely it would be daylight soon--the merciful daylight.