The Tell-Tale Heart — Vocabulary
Edgar Allan Poe
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The ringing became more distinct:—It continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness—until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.†2 more

I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye—not even his—could have detected any thing wrong.†1 more

...for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still.1 more

And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head.†

—It is the beating of his hideous heart!†1 more

And now a new anxiety seized me—the sound would be heard by a neighbour!†

I had been too wary for that.†

At length it ceased.

I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased.†

Above all was the sense of hearing acute.more

Anything was more tolerable than this derision!†

The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence.†

It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.†

And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night.†

And this I did for seven long nights—every night just at midnight—but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.†1 more

So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect...

In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.†

I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased.†

argued about trifles

Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers—of my sagacity.†