I(the speaker [aɪ]) had loosened(had made less tight [hæd ˈlusənd]) the golden muffler(a scarf, likely made of golden fabric [ðə ˈgoʊldən ˈməflər]) that(referring to the golden muffler [ðət]) he(referring to the boy [hi]) always(at all times; consistently [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) wore(had on; was wearing [wɔr]). I(the speaker [aɪ]) had moistened(had made slightly wet [hæd ˈmɔɪsənd]) his temples(the sides of his forehead [hɪz ˈtɛmpəlz]), and(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) had given(had provided [hæd ˈgɪvɪn]) him(referring to the boy [ɪm]) some water(a quantity of water [səm ˈwɔtər]) to drink(for the purpose of drinking [tɪ drɪŋk]). And now(and at the present time [ənd naʊ]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) did not dare(was afraid to [dɪd nɑt dɛr]) ask him(pose questions to the boy [æsk ɪm]) any more questions(additional questions [ˈɛni mɔr kˈwɛsʧənz]). He(referring to the boy [hi]) looked(gazed [lʊkt]) at me(at the speaker [æt mi]) very gravely(in a serious and solemn manner [ˈvɛri ˈgreɪvli]), and(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) put(placed [pʊt]) his arms(the boy's arms [hɪz ɑrmz]) around my neck(encircling the speaker's neck [əraʊnd maɪ nɛk]). I(the speaker [aɪ]) felt(experienced [fɛlt]) his heart(the boy's heart [hɪz hɑrt]) beating(pumping rhythmically [ˈbitɪŋ]) like(similar to [laɪk]) the heart(a heart [ðə hɑrt]) of a dying bird(a bird that is in the process of dying [əv ə daɪɪŋ bərd]), shot(injured by a bullet or projectile [ʃɑt]) with someone's rifle(by a rifle belonging to an unspecified person [wɪθ ˈsəmˌwənz ˈraɪfəl])...
"I am glad(expressing happiness or satisfaction [aɪ æm glæd]) that(introduces a clause [ðət]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) have found(have discovered [hæv faʊnd]) what was the matter(the problem [wət wɑz ðə ˈmætər]) with your engine(referring to the engine of a vehicle or machine [wɪθ jʊr ˈɪnʤən])," he(the subject, previously mentioned [hi]) said(uttered words [sɛd]). "Now(at the present time [naʊ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) can go(are able to leave [kən goʊ]) back home(return to one's residence [bæk hoʊm]) — "
"How(beginning of a question; 'how' inquires about the manner, way, or means of something [haʊ]) do(auxiliary verb used to form questions and negative statements in the present tense [du]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) know(to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) about(concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]) that(refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət])?"
I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) just(exactly or precisely [ʤɪst]) coming(moving toward a specific place [ˈkəmɪŋ]) to(used to indicate purpose or direction [tɪ]) tell(to communicate information to someone [tɛl]) him(a male person previously mentioned [ɪm]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) my(belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) work(effort directed toward a goal [wərk]) had been(past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed before another past action [hæd bɪn]) successful(achieving the desired outcome or result [səkˈsɛsfəl]), beyond(outside the limits or scope of [bɪɔnd]) anything(any thing whatever [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) had dared(past perfect tense of 'to dare', meaning to have been brave enough to do something [hæd dɛrd]) to hope(to want something to happen or be true, and usually have some reason to think that it might [tɪ hoʊp]).
He(a male person previously mentioned [hi]) made(past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce [meɪd]) no(not any [noʊ]) answer(a reply or response [ˈænsər]) to(indicating direction or relationship [tɪ]) my(belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) question(a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]), but(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) he(the male person previously mentioned [hi]) added(said something more [ˈædɪd]):
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"I(the speaker [aɪ]), too(also; in addition [tu]), am(first person singular present of 'to be' [æm]) going(moving towards a place [goʊɪŋ]) back(to the place where one started [bæk]) home(the place where one lives [hoʊm]) today(the present day [təˈdeɪ])..."
Then(after that; next [ðɛn]), sadly(in a sad manner [ˈsædli]) —
"It(refers to a situation or journey [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) much(a large amount or degree [məʧ]) farther(at a greater distance [ˈfɑrðər])... It(refers to a situation or journey [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) much(a large amount or degree [məʧ]) more(a greater amount or degree [mɔr]) difficult(needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand [ˈdɪfəkəlt])..."
I(the speaker [aɪ]) realized(became aware of something [ˈriəˌlaɪzd]) clearly(in a clear and distinct manner [ˈklɪrli]) that(introduces a clause [ðət]) something(an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) extraordinary(very unusual or remarkable [ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) happening(taking place [ˈhæpənɪŋ]). I(the speaker [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) holding(grasping or supporting [ˈhoʊldɪŋ]) him(a male person [ɪm]) close(near in space or time [kloʊz]) in(expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) my(belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) arms(upper limbs of the human body [ɑrmz]) as if(in the same way as; as though [ɛz ɪf]) he(the male person [hi]) were(past subjunctive of 'to be', used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition [wər]) a little(small in size or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]) child(a young human being [ʧaɪld]); and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) yet(but; nevertheless [jɛt]) it(refers to the situation [ɪt]) seemed(appeared to be [simd]) to(to me [tɪ]) me(the speaker [mi]) that(introduces a clause [ðət]) he(the male person [hi]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) rushing(moving with great speed [ˈrəʃɪŋ]) headlong(with reckless haste [ˈhɛˌdlɔŋ]) toward(in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]) an(indefinite article [ən]) abyss(a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm [əˈbɪs]) from(indicating the starting point [frəm]) which(relative pronoun referring to the abyss [wɪʧ]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) could(past tense of 'can', indicating ability [kʊd]) do(perform an action [du]) nothing(not anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]) to(in order to [tɪ]) restrain(to keep under control or within limits [riˈstreɪn]) him(the male person [ɪm])... His(belonging to him [hɪz]) look(an expression of the eyes or face [lʊk]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) very(in a high degree [ˈvɛri]) serious(solemn or thoughtful in manner or appearance [ˈsɪriəs]), like(similar to [laɪk]) some(an unspecified or unknown one [səm]) one(a person [wən]) lost(unable to find one's way [lɔst]) far(at a great distance [fɑr]) away(to or at a distance [əˈweɪ]).
"I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) have(to possess; to own; to hold [hæv]) your(belonging to the person being addressed [jʊr]) sheep(plural of 'sheep'; a woolly ruminant quadruped [ʃip]). And(a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) have(to possess; to own; to hold [hæv]) the(definite article; referring to a specific sheep's box [ðə]) sheep's(possessive form of 'sheep'; belonging to the sheep [ʃips]) box(a container or receptacle [bɑks]). And(a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) have(to possess; to own; to hold [hæv]) the(definite article; referring to a specific muzzle [ðə]) muzzle(a device placed over an animal's mouth to prevent it from biting or eating [ˈməzəl])..."
And(a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) he(third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]) gave(past tense of 'give'; to freely transfer possession of something to someone [geɪv]) me(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) a sad smile(an unhappy or sorrowful expression using the muscles of the face, particularly the mouth [ə sæd smaɪl]).
I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) waited(past tense of 'wait'; to remain in place or be expectant [ˈweɪtɪd]) a long time(a considerable duration [ə lɔŋ taɪm]). I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) could see(to be able to perceive with the eyes [kʊd si]) that(conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) he(third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]) was reviving(past continuous tense of 'revive'; to restore to life or consciousness [wɑz rɪˈvaɪvɪŋ]) little by little(gradually; slowly; in small increments [ˈlɪtəl baɪ ˈlɪtəl]).
"Dear little man(an affectionate term for a small or young male person [dɪr ˈlɪtəl mæn])," I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [ aɪ]) said(past tense of 'say'; to utter words [sɛd]) to him(prepositional phrase; directed towards the person [tɪ ɪm]), "you(second-person singular pronoun; the person being addressed [ ju]) are afraid(feeling fear or apprehension [ər əˈfreɪd])..."
He(third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]) was afraid(feeling fear or apprehension [wɑz əˈfreɪd]), there was no doubt(expressing certainty [ðɛr wɑz noʊ daʊt]) about that(concerning the aforementioned [əˈbaʊt ðət]). But(a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]) he(third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]) laughed lightly(to express amusement or happiness in a gentle or quiet manner [læft ˈlaɪtli]).
"I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) shall be(future tense of 'be'; to exist or occur in the future [ʃæl bi]) much more afraid(experiencing a greater degree of fear or apprehension [məʧ mɔr əˈfreɪd]) this evening(the period of time between late afternoon and night [ðɪs ˈivnɪŋ])..."
Once again(another time; on a further occasion [wəns əˈgɛn]) I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) felt(past tense of 'feel'; to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]) myself(reflexive pronoun; referring back to the speaker [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) frozen(metaphorically, emotionally paralyzed or stunned [ˈfroʊzən]) by(preposition indicating the cause or agent [baɪ]) the sense(a feeling or awareness [ðə sɛns]) of something irreparable(something that cannot be repaired or remedied [əv ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌɪˈrɛpərəbəl]). And(a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) knew(past tense of 'know'; to be aware of something [nu]) that(conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]) could not bear(unable to tolerate or endure [kʊd nɑt bɛr]) the thought(an idea or concept in the mind [ðə θɔt]) of never hearing(the idea of not experiencing the sound of something again [əv ˈnɛvər ˈhirɪŋ]) that laughter(the sound of someone laughing [ðət ˈlæftər]) any more(no longer; not again [ˈɛni mɔr]). For me(in my opinion; from my perspective [fər mi]), it(third-person singular pronoun; referring to the laughter [ɪt]) was like(similar to; resembling [wɑz laɪk]) a spring of fresh water(a source of clean, new water [ə spərɪŋ əv frɛʃ ˈwɔtər]) in the desert(a dry, barren area of land [ɪn ðə ˈdɛzərt]).
"Little man(A term of endearment or gentle address, often used for a child or someone smaller in stature. [ˈlɪtəl mæn])," I said(Indicates the speaker is conveying a direct quote. [aɪ sɛd]), "I want(Expresses a desire or wish. [aɪ wɔnt]) to hear(To perceive sound with the ears; to listen. [tɪ hir]) you laugh(The act of making sounds and movements of the face indicating amusement or happiness. [ju læf]) again(One more time; repeatedly. [əˈgɛn])."
But(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said. [bət]) he said(Indicates that 'he' spoke or uttered words. [hi sɛd]) to me(Directed towards the speaker; indicating the recipient of the speech. [tɪ mi]):
"Tonight(The evening or night of the present day. [təˈnaɪt]), it will be(A future event; something that is going to happen. [ɪt wɪl bi]) a year(A period of 365 days; a full revolution of the Earth around the Sun. [ə jɪr])... My star(A celestial body that emits light; often used metaphorically to represent destiny or a guiding force. [maɪ stɑr]), then(At that time; or as a consequence. [ðɛn]), can be found(Able to be located or discovered. [kən bi faʊnd]) right above(Directly over; in a higher position. [raɪt əˈbəv]) the place(A specific location or area. [ðə pleɪs]) where I came(The act of arriving or originating from a particular location. [wɛr aɪ keɪm]) to the Earth(The planet on which we live. [tɪ ðə ərθ]), a year ago(One year in the past. [ə jɪr əˈgoʊ])..."
"Little man(A term of endearment or gentle address, often used for a child or someone smaller in stature. [ˈlɪtəl mæn])," I said(Indicates the speaker is conveying a direct quote. [aɪ sɛd]), "tell me(To communicate information to someone. [tɛl mi]) that it is(Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪt ɪz]) only(Solely; merely. [ˈoʊnli]) a bad dream(An unpleasant or frightening dream. [ə bæd drim]) — this affair(A situation or event, often one that is problematic or controversial. [ ðɪs əˈfɛr]) of the snake(A limbless reptile; often used symbolically. [əv ðə sneɪk]), and the meeting-place(A location where people gather or meet. [ənd ðə meeting-place]), and the star(A celestial body that emits light; often used metaphorically to represent destiny or a guiding force. [ənd ðə stɑr])..."
But(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said. [bət]) he did not(Indicates a negative action or lack of response. [hi dɪd nɑt]) answer(To reply or respond to a question or request. [ˈænsər]) my plea(An earnest request or appeal. [maɪ pli]). He said(Indicates that 'he' spoke or uttered words. [hi sɛd]) to me(Directed towards the speaker; indicating the recipient of the speech. [tɪ mi]), instead(As an alternative; in place of something else. [ˌɪnˈstɛd]):
"The thing(An object or entity; a matter or concern. [ðə θɪŋ]) that is(Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪz]) important(Of great significance or value. [ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]) is the thing(An object or entity; a matter or concern. [ɪz ðə θɪŋ]) that is(Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪz]) not seen(Not visible; hidden from view. [nɑt sin])..."