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The Flying Trunk
The Flying Trunk

Chapter XXII

Chapter 22, section 1: The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out
Context Illustration Reading 1/90 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.
Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.
It certainly was not a very lively existence.
To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.
Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Flying Trunk

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/90 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.
Line 2
Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.
Line 3
It certainly was not a very lively existence.
Line 4
To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.
Line 5
Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

clerks noun US /klɜːrks/

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading “The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.”

old adjective US /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading “The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.”

seldom adverb US /ˈseldəm/

not often

From this reading “The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.”

street noun US /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading “The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.”

All words in this reading · 96

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

bed

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

bitter

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

booth

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

busily

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

certainly

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

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

clerk

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

closed

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

dark

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

dismal

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

early

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

employed

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

enough

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

evening

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

existence

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

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

faint

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

falling

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

generally

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

glimmer

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

gloomy

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

happen

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

Hauschen

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

horn

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

hymn

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

land

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

late

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

light

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

lively

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

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

lot

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

low

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

many

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

met

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

moving

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

night

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It certainly was not a very lively existence.

notices

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

Often

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

Only

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

out

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

own

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

panes

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

place

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

rain

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

roof

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

sat

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/

not often

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

singing

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

snow

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

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

stand

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

strange

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

stranger

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

StreetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

struggled

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

then

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

things

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

together

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

very

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

voice

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

way

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

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The old clerks of Hauschen Street very seldom met together; each one remained in his own booth, which was closed early enough in the evening, and then it looked dark and dismal out in the street.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

window

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Often, when it was dark night outside, with rain or snow falling, the place looked quite deserted and gloomy.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Only a faint glimmer of light struggled through the horn panes in the little window on the roof, while within sat the old clerk, generally on his bed, singing his evening hymn in a low voice; or he would be moving about in his booth till late in the night, busily employed in many things.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To be a stranger in a strange land is a bitter lot; no one notices you unless you happen to stand in their way.