"the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by a dream of love..."See in text(Part I)
“Vaguely” means uncertainly or in a way that is faint or unclear. Although Sylvia is still a child, she experiences the first stirrings of romantic feelings for someone, specifically the young hunter. “Woman’s heart” is an implied metaphor for a woman’s emotions, especially those of love; it is personified as sleeping within Sylvia.
A white heron is a bird distinguished by its soft white feathers; long, thin legs; long, sharp bill; and broad wingspan. White herons usually live in temperate southern climates, but those in the north migrate south during cold weather. They nest in tall trees near lakes or wetlands.
An ornithologist is a person who studies or is an expert on birds. The hunter’s interest in birds is scientific, unlike Sylvia’s relationship with them.
"the jay-birds to bangeing here..."See in text(Part I)
“Jaybirds” are blue jays, birds that are predominantly blue with a white chest and a black ring about the neck; they are sometimes aggressive toward other birds. The word “bangeing” means loitering or gathering around.
"it seemed like a hermitage..."See in text(Part I)
A hermitage is the home of a hermit, someone who lives in solitude apart from the world; a hermitage by definition is usually small and remote. Describing Mrs. Tilley’s house with a simile that compares it to a hermitage emphasizes the small size of the house and its isolated location.
“Ma’sh” is Mrs. Tilley’s pronunciation of the word “marsh,” which refers to an area of low-lying land, often near the sea, that remains wet throughout the year. Jewett writes in vernacular style, spelling words to reproduce a character’s regional dialect or way of speaking.
"whose long slumbering hospitality seemed to be easily awakened..."See in text(Part I)
“Hospitality” refers to extending a friendly and generous reception to visitors or strangers. Mrs. Tilley’s hospitality is personified as having been asleep and is now awake. The personification suggests that it is unusual for someone to come to Mrs. Tilley’s home at the farm.
“Discreetly” means acting in way that avoids drawing attention; it suggests the desire to keep one’s actions unnoticed. Sylvia’s hiding from whoever had whistled indicates her timid and shy nature.
"Mrs. Tilley had chased the hornéd torment..."See in text(Part I)
Sylvia’s grandmother is now identified by her name: Mrs. Tilley. “[T]he horned torment” is an implied metaphor that describes Mistress Moolly, emphasizing her traits that “torment” her owners. In regard to Mistress Moolly, to torment means to cause worry, trouble, or distress.
The little girl previously referenced in the story is now identified by her name, Sylvia. “Sylvia” is an appropriate name for her since the word “sylvan” is defined as someone who spends time in the woods.
A huckleberry bush is a “perennial” plant, meaning that it lives for more than one growing season; it is often found in the countryside and produces berries similar to blueberries.
"a plodding, dilatory, provoking creature in her behavior, but a valued companion for all that..."See in text(Part I)
“Plodding” means slow-moving; “dilatory” means being slow to act in order to cause delay. “Provoking” is defined as being irritating and causing annoyance. The cow’s being a “valued companion,” despite having these negative traits, suggests that the little girl might have no other companions; it also suggests her love of animals, which will play an important role in the story.
As the word is used here, it means the persistent presence of a sound Sylvia remembers and indicates that she is unable to forget the hunter, whom she misses very much.
To rebuke means to scold or express strong disapproval. Sylvia’s grandmother’s rebuking her “fretfully” suggests that Mrs. Tilley feels upset and distressed.
“Bewildering” means difficult to comprehend. The sun’s being “bewilderingly bright” suggests that the brightness of the sun is astounding. Also, the repetition of the “B” sound in “bewilderingly bright” is an example of alliteration; it draws attention to the description of the sun, further emphasizing its brightness.
"and scolded pettishly at the harmless housebreaker...."See in text(Part II)
“Pettishly” means in a way that shows worry or irritation. The “harmless housebreaker” refers to Sylvia as she is climbing the tree. The “house” that Sylvia is breaking into is a metaphor for the tree, which is the squirrel’s home.
"but Sylvia's great design kept her broad awake..."See in text(Part II)
Sylvia’s “great design” is her plan to climb the towering pine tree in the forest at dawn so as to discover the location of the white heron’s nest. “Broad awake” means wide awake.
A whippoorwill is a medium-sized song bird that is nocturnal, meaning it is active at night. The whippoorwill’s song sounds like its name: whip poor will. The whippoorwills’ gathering and singing on the step of Sylvia’s house again suggests her close relationship with nature.
