I wasted some time in futile questionings, conveyed, as well as I was able,to such of the little people as came by. They all failed to understand my gestures; some were simply stolid, some thought it was a jest and laughed at me.
(The Time Machine – H. G. Wells)
(The entire text can be found here on the Project Gutenberg website.)
I don't understand the structure (and the meaning) of the first sentence. What is the significance of the parallel structure as well as I was able... as came by? I understand the meaning of the first part - he conveyed his questionings as best as he could - but what does 'as came by' mean? Does it mean litererally as they were approaching him? Or does it have a different meaning?
Thank you in advance.
(The Time Machine – H. G. Wells)
(The entire text can be found here on the Project Gutenberg website.)
I don't understand the structure (and the meaning) of the first sentence. What is the significance of the parallel structure as well as I was able... as came by? I understand the meaning of the first part - he conveyed his questionings as best as he could - but what does 'as came by' mean? Does it mean litererally as they were approaching him? Or does it have a different meaning?
Thank you in advance.