Chapter X

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

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

made dull or blunt

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

a youthful male person

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

a young person of either sex

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

absence of light or illumination

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

a female human offspring

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

wanted intensely

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

having lost or been caused to lose interest because of overexposure

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

producing no result or effect

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

a young female

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

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

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

held dear

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

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 I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

the force of workers available

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

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

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

on one occasion

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

with passion

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

filled with shade

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

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

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

sweep across or over

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

in or at the place that

From this reading I thought, too, more than once of that shadowy figure I had seen on the terrace, hovering like a lost soul outside the house--of that face that had stared in at me from the darkness outside into the room where the father and daughter were.

which person or people

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

belonging to which person

From this reading Passionately I desired to help this girl, who already smiled at me with the eyes of her dead mother, and whose speaking of that absurd name of mine--Tinman--was like a caress.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading THE COMING OF THE WOLVES I slept but badly that night; it seemed so strange that I should be under that roof in these days of ruin and disaster--hiding, as it were, from the sight of men, and striving to plot, in my own feeble futile way, against forces that must in time inevitably overwhelm and sweep me away.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

a late time of life

From this reading I had been a poor prisoner for so many years; I was like a child in the world now, with whatever powers I had once had dulled and blunted.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet what could I do?--how could I help her or the boy she loved?