used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
the state of being absent
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
accountedverbUS /əˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “account” — be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
Alrina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
(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 Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
a young person of either sex
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
without doubt or question
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
Courland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
DREADEDadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE DREADED INTERVIEW.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
FreemannounUS /ˈfriːmən/
a person who is not a serf or a slave
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
ill-fatedadjective
marked by or promising bad fortune
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE DREADED INTERVIEW.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
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 This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
prematureadjectiveUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊr/
born after a gestation period of less than the normal time
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/
make visible
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DREADED INTERVIEW.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
at the time that
From this reading Her husband had not returned when Mrs. Courland reached their lodgings after her early journey to that ill-fated cottage.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Had Captain Courland returned before her, she must have accounted, in some way, for her absence, and that might have led to a premature confession, which she thought had better not be made until she had seen Alrina, and been fully convinced that the likeness could not be mistaken.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had received quite sufficient proof from Miss Freeman of the identity of the child, and she had, moreover, received from her a sealed packet, which she said would reveal all more clearly, and other mysteries besides; but she made her promise, most solemnly, that the packet should not be opened until after her death, which she knew could not be far distant, she said.
but in spite of that
From this reading This was fortunate, in many respects: it gave her a little time to reflect on the events of the morning, and to prepare herself for the ordeal she had yet to go through.
