ellipsis: (1) in grammar, the omission of a word or words necessary for complete construction but understood in context; e.g., "If [it is] possible, [you] come early." (2) the sign [...] that something has been left out of a quotation; e.g.; "To be or not...that is the question."
"'Does he still seem happy?' he asked one day.
'As happy as a child,' answered Phoebe; 'but- like a child, too- very easily disturbed.'
'How disturbed?' inquired Holgrave.- 'By things without?-or by thoughts within?'"
-The House of the Seven Gables
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Phoebe leaves out "He is," and Holgrave omits "is he." Hawthorne most likely used ellipsis here to emulate natural speech. While not "proper grammar" the conversation sounds believable, and comfortable. Hawthorne was also trying to communicate some familiarity between the two speakers. He wanted to show that their relationship was progressing and they were on easy speaking terms, not formal small talk. Hawthorne is able to let the reader know the status of the familiarity between the two characters and make the conversation believable through his use of the ellipsis.
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